An Idea for Improving English Language Learners' Access to Education

English Language Learners (ELLs) and language-minority families have few promising options for receiving tailored educational services under federal law. Civil Rights era statutes like the Equal Education Opportunities Act (EEOA) designed to protect and promote ELLs’ right to an education have led to few actual changes in children’s education, and fewer still within reasonable time frames. For the subset of ELLs with disabilities, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) holds out the promise of more direct and immediate improvements in their education