gin learning English from the time they enter school. The development of oral English skills first and then the development of English literacy skills Contrary to conservative belief, the learning of the English language is one of the primary goals of bilingual education. (http://www.edb.utexas.edu/coe/depts/CI/bilingue/be-def.html)Bilingual education and due process came under watch with the Supreme Court case of Lau vs. Nichols in 1973 in the city of San Francisco. According to San Franciscos state statute, one of the major goals of the school system is the proficiency of English for all students. However, the school system did not offer and ESL or remedial English class for 1,800 Chinese pupils. The pupils claimed that the school board was in violation of the equal protection clause in the 14th Amendment and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VI states that any person/group who are recipients of federal aid cannot discriminate against a person based on race, color, origin or class. (Zirkel, 115) The court decided that the failure to have remedial English classes for these 1800 Chinese students did violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. However, the court did not agree if the San Francisco school board was in violation of the equal protection clause of the 14th amendment but acknowledged that the lack of remedial English educational did hamper the educational opportunities for these Chinese students. The court also could not decide if bilingual educational is the solution for the learning disparities and inequalities. The inability of the Supreme Court to decide on the effectiveness of bilingual education left much room to debate in the American political landscape. Traditionally, politically organized ethnic groups have contributed greatly to the Democrat party. Republicans and other conservatives feel threatened by the increase power and voice of these groups. Thus, Republicans attacks the usefulness of ...
