School diversity is not a surprise as presently a large number of the educational population is comprised of students from many different cultural backgrounds. According to research conducted by Education Week (2011) there was a large growth of English language learners in the United Sates over the 21st century. This rise mandated the need for public schools throughout the nation to assist English language learners with the instruction of special language.
Legislation has provided the rise of laws that mandate states to provide quality education to English language learners. With these laws and initiatives arise issues, challenges, and benefits. In the case Meyer v. Nebraska (1923) Supreme Court Jude James McReynolds penned,
“The protection of the United States Constitution extends to all, to those who speak other languages as well as to those born with English on the tongue" (Walsh, 2009). This legal decision provided parents with a constitutional right to …show more content…
Most agree that all students need to learn the English language and be provided full access to the English curriculum so that they can be academically successful. In order to be academically successful, students must also understand English instruction and by not receiving this instruction in their native language, frustration occurs. How can students learn if they do not understand the language? An issue with state initiatives and laws is that students do not receive instruction in their native language and that is a problem. Olsen (2010) maintains that English Language Learners will require a minimum of seven years to develop proficiency in English. This is met with much opposition as students are required to receive English assessments at various times to test