What are schools’ responsibilities for students with language barriers?

Education Law Forum
1

A student I know is having trouble accessing lesson plans because of a language barrier. The school has been notified about the issue, but so far, they haven’t done anything to help. The student has FAFSA and is trying to keep up with their education, but the language problem is making it nearly impossible.

What are the school’s responsibilities in a case like this? Aren’t they required to provide support to ensure the student can access their education? If the school continues to do nothing, what options does the student have to get the help they need?

2

Schools are supposed to provide accommodations for students with language barriers. Have you asked about English Language Learner (ELL) support?

3

Reagan said:
Schools are supposed to provide accommodations for students with language barriers. Have you asked about English Language Learner (ELL) support?

I believe they know about the issue, but they haven’t offered any kind of ELL support yet.

4

Reagan said:
Schools are supposed to provide accommodations for students with language barriers. Have you asked about English Language Learner (ELL) support?

You should push them on this. Federal law requires schools to ensure equal access to education for all students, including ELLs.

5

If the school hasn’t done anything, you might want to file a formal complaint. Do you have any documentation of your communications with them?

6

Noor said:
If the school hasn’t done anything, you might want to file a formal complaint. Do you have any documentation of your communications with them?

Not much, but I’ll start documenting everything from now on.

7

Noor said:
If the school hasn’t done anything, you might want to file a formal complaint. Do you have any documentation of your communications with them?

Good call. A paper trail will be important if you need to escalate this.

8

Schools have to make sure students can understand the language of instruction. Have you looked into their legal obligations under civil rights laws?

9

Chen said:
Schools have to make sure students can understand the language of instruction. Have you looked into their legal obligations under civil rights laws?

Not in detail, but I know they’re supposed to help. I just don’t know how to get them to take action.

10

Chen said:
Schools have to make sure students can understand the language of instruction. Have you looked into their legal obligations under civil rights laws?

Federal law protects students in this situation. You could contact the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) if the school doesn’t act.

11

What’s the school saying? Are they ignoring the issue completely or just dragging their feet?

12

nellysmith said:
What’s the school saying? Are they ignoring the issue completely or just dragging their feet?

They haven’t responded at all. It feels like they’re just hoping the problem will go away.

13

nellysmith said:
What’s the school saying? Are they ignoring the issue completely or just dragging their feet?

That’s unacceptable. You should escalate this to the school district or state education board.

14

Is the student’s FAFSA at risk because of this? Schools are supposed to provide support to keep students on track.

15

Lyric said:
Is the student’s FAFSA at risk because of this? Schools are supposed to provide support to keep students on track.

Not yet, but if this continues, it could become an issue.

16

Lyric said:
Is the student’s FAFSA at risk because of this? Schools are supposed to provide support to keep students on track.

That’s even more reason to push for action. The school has a responsibility to provide access to education.