"Where inability to speak and understand the English language excludes national origin-minority group children from effective participation in the educational program offered by a school district, the district must take affirmative steps to rectify the language deficiency in order to open its instructional program to these students."

From the OCR May 25, 1970 Memorandum

Frequently Asked Questions on the Rights of Limited-English Proficient Students

Note : The phrases "limited-English proficient" and "English-language learner," and their respective acronyms, "LEP" and "ELL," are similar in meaning. Both terms are used by the Office for Civil Rights.

OCR Policies

• May 25, 1970 Memorandum
• December 3, 1985 Memorandum, reissued April 6, 1990
• 1991 OCR Policy

Proposition 227 Questions and Answers

• Questions That May Be Raised By Proposition 227 (June 10, 1998). U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights. The document contains questions and answers relevant to Proposition 227 in California.

Self Evaluation Materials

• Programs For English Language Learners - Resource Materials For Planning and Self- Assessments

Part I: An Overview
Part II: Developing English Language Learner (ELL) Programs
Part III: Program Evaluation
Part IV: Glossary
Part V: Resources List

Pamphlets

• Provision of an Equal Education Opportunity to Limited-English Proficient Students

Success Stories

Links to Other Resources

• Office of English Language Acquisition
• National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition and Language Instruction Educational Programs (NCELA)
• Equity Assistance Centers