Timeline by Makayla Q Barone

Nationality Act of 1906

baro9436 — 2025-10-15 23:35:57 UTC

This act stated all immigrants must speak English to legally become American. English became a testament to how loyal you were to the United States. A common language would align with the idea of centralized control.

This is important to Bilingual Education today because prior all kinds of language were welcomed and encouraged. It is important to know how we got to the place we did. If we do not learn from history, we are doomed to repeat it.

Reference:

Baker, C., & Wright, W. E. (2021). Foundations of bilingual education and bilingualism (7th ed.). Multilingual Matters.

Proposition 58

baro9436 — 2025-10-15 23:47:58 UTC

On November 8, 2016, a bill was approved to require students be proficient in English but also establish dual language immersion programs for both native and non-native English speakers. The California State Department of Education planned to increase dual immersion schools from 407 to 1,600 over the course of 13 years.

This is important to Bilingual Education today because people realized English-only instruction is a failure. The systems in place were failing the students. Students learn best when both languages work together.

Reference:

Baker, C., & Wright, W. E. (2021). Foundations of bilingual education and bilingualism (7th ed.). Multilingual Matters.

Meyer v. Nebraska

baro9436 — 2025-10-16 00:00:07 UTC

In 1923 the Nebraska state law prohibiting the teaching of foreign language was unconstitutional under the fourteenth amendment. The courts ruled, mother tongue teaching stimulated foreign ideas, which was in the interest of the United States. The United Saes needs diversity to thrive.

This is important to Bilingual Education today because the courts established, teachers have a right to teach, and students have the right to learn.

Reference:

Baker, C., & Wright, W. E. (2021). Foundations of bilingual education and bilingualism (7th ed.). Multilingual Matters.

Lau v Nichols

baro9436 — 2025-10-16 00:09:26 UTC

Lau v Nichols, 1970, stated English mainstreaming was not adequate for students who were not yet proficient in English. Students cannot learn if the content is not in a language they can understand. Just because everyone has the same materials, ELL will still struggle if not adequately supported.

This is important to Bilingual Education today because of the Lau remedies, stating students who are underperforming in English need help. English as a second language, tutoring, and bilingual education can all be attributed to the Lau remedies.

Reference:

Baker, C., & Wright, W. E. (2021). Foundations of bilingual education and bilingualism (7th ed.). Multilingual Matters.

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

baro9436 — 2025-10-16 00:14:34 UTC

On December 10, 2015, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was signed into law, replacing No Child Left Behind. This act requires schools to include English language proficiency in their accountability systems and provides funding for bilingual and dual language programs. ESSA also gives states more flexibility to design programs that meet the needs of multilingual learners.

This is important to Bilingual Education today because it recognizes that students can succeed academically while developing proficiency in more than one language. It shifts away from English-only instruction and supports programs that value students’ cultural and linguistic identities, helping ensure all learners have equitable opportunities to thrive.

Reference:
Baker, C., & Wright, W. E. (2021). Foundations of bilingual education and bilingualism (7th ed.). Multilingual Matters.