Summary: Meyer was a teacher at a private elementary school where he taught a Bible story in German, outside of regular school hours. He was convicted of violating the state law, which was then overturned by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court mandated that a Nebraska law that prohibited the teaching of a foreign language in schools was unconstitutional, as it violated the Fourteenth Amendment.

Importance to Bilingual Education Today: This is important to bilingual education because the Fourteenth Amendment is still relevant today. Additionally, it enforced the importance of diversity and inclusion in schools, as banning the teaching of languages hinders that initiative.

Summary: The Bilingual Education Act, also known as Title VII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, declared that bilingual programs in schools are to be a part of federal educational policies. It mandated that federal funds were to be used towards the education of students who spoke languages other than English in the U.S., which allowed non-English speakers to have a transitionary period to the English language in school.

Importance to Bilingual Education Today: This act is important to bilingual education today because it was at the beginning of federal funding going to bilingual education in the U.S. Additionally, it finally recognized the needs of English Learners in the U.S. and the importance of their education.

Summary: This was court case between Chinese-speaking students and the San Francisco School District in 1970. The case was rejected by the federal district court and a court of appeals but was accepted by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1974. The case was about whether non-English speakers should receive equal educational opportunities when all instruction was given in a foreign language to them, English. As a result, the U.S. Supreme Court outlawed English mainstreaming programs for students who were not yet proficient in the English language.

Importance to Bilingual Education Today: This case is important to bilingual education today as it protects to the rights of English Language Learners (ELLs). It ensures that ELLs are given appropriate education in a language in which they can understand, and ultimately thrive in. Additionally, this case helps to guide school policies today that continue to support ELLs nationwide.

Summary: The Seal of Biliteracy is something that can be attached to a U.S. high school graduate's diploma, signifying that the student has studied and is proficient in two or more languages at the time of their high school graduation. The intention of this is to recognize students who are bilingual for their accomplishments and provide something tangible for it. As well, it was intended to support employment efforts for the graduates' futures.

Importance to Bilingual Education Today: The Seal of Biliteracy is important to Bilingual Education today as it mends a metaphorical gap between native and non-native English speakers. The Seal of Biliteracy is not just for non-native English speakers, and with that is celebrates the hard work of all students in their bi-literate efforts. And most importantly, in my eyes, gives opportunity for English Language Learners to earn a tangible award, with a higher likelihood of achievement compared to their native English speaking peers, something that is statistically not common.

Summary: This Act brought No Child Left Behind to an end. With this, states were given more flexibility for goal setting and how the states can intervene with any school that is deemed low-performing. This ultimately allowed for states to look at factors other than test scores when making decisions. This allows for student's growth over time to recognized opposed to just one point in time from an exam.

Importance to Bilingual Education Today: ESSA is important to bilingual education today as it supports the equity of students in education by providing funding to mend the gaps in opportunities. Additionally, this act gives more power to the states and schools, so needs can be met based on specific goals of the communities.