What support must schools provide according to the Lau v. Nichols ruling?

The Lau v. Nichols ruling by the Supreme Court in 1974 established that schools are required to provide appropriate resources and support for students who are learning English as a second language (ESL) or who are English language learners (ELL). This landmark decision emphasized that simply placing non-English speaking students in a classroom without adequate language assistance is a form of discrimination.

As a result, schools must ensure that these students have access to services that can help them develop English language skills to succeed academically. This can include specialized instruction, bilingual education programs, and other resources designed to support their language acquisition. The ruling highlighted the obligation of schools to create an inclusive environment where all students have the opportunity to learn and thrive, regardless of their primary language.