Fifty years ago, the United States Supreme Court decided a case that would forever change education for English learners in this country.

In the 1974case Lau v. Nichols, the Court decided that students who do not yet speak fluent English have a right to fully understand what is being taught in their classrooms, and that schools must take steps to make sure students can understand, whether through additional instruction in English as a second language or bilingual education.

On this episode of Education Beat, we bring you the story of how this case began and how it changed education, from the perspective of a teacher.

Guest:

• Lucinda Lee Katz, Retired teacher and administrator

Read more from EdSource: Q&A: How the 50-year-old case that transformed English learner education began

Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.