Students whose primary language is not English (English learners or EL students) may require language supports in order to meaningfully participate in school. Title VI requires that schools, districts, and state education agencies (SEAs) take affirmative steps to address language barriers so that EL students may participate meaningfully in their schools’ educational programs. A district must effectively implement a sound educational approach in its programs for EL students. Title VI also requires schools to adequately communicate with limited English proficient (LEP) parents about important school-related information in languages they can understand. OCR has sought to ensure that limited English proficiency is not an obstacle for students or their LEP parents to access educational opportunities.
Fact Sheets
- Fact Sheet: Equal Access to Elementary and Secondary Education for Students Who Are English Learners with Disabilities (November 2024) PDF (236K)
- U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights and U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, Protecting Access to Education for Migratory Children (June 2023)
- U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights and U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, Protecting Access to Education for Unaccompanied Children (June 2023)
- U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, Ensuring Meaningful Participation in Advanced Coursework and Specialized Programs for Students Who Are English Learners (June 2023) PDF (490K)
- U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights and U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, Confronting Discrimination Based on National Origin And Immigration Status (August 2021)
- U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights and U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, Information for Limited English Proficient (LEP) Parents and Guardians and for Schools and School Districts that Communicate with Them (January 2015)
- U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights and U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, Ensuring English Learner Students Can Participate Meaningfully and Equally in Educational Programs (January 2015)
Other Resources:
- Secretary’s Letter on Resources for Ensuring Equal Access to Educational Opportunities for Immigrant Students (PDF) (January 2025)
- Frequently Asked Privacy-Related Questions About Filing a Complaint with OCR PDF (207K) (November 2024)
- U.S. Department of Education, Tool Kit: Tools and Resources for Identifying All English Learners PDF (1.3M) (November 2016)
- Policy Update on Schools' Obligations Toward National Origin Minority Students With Limited-English Proficiency (September 1991)
- Language Minority Compliance Procedures (September 1984)
To request language access services or resources, which may include oral technical assistance or written translation of Department information, free of charge, contact OCR@ed.gov. If you need more information about interpretation or translation services, call 1-800-USA-LEARN (1-800-872-5327) (TTY: 1-800-437-0833). To request documents in alternate formats such as Braille or large print, contact the Department at 202-260-0818 or ofo_eeos@ed.gov.
Case Resolutions
- Rochester School District (NH) — (01-15-1252)
- Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District (CA) — (09-20-1341)
- Pecatonica Area School District (WI) — (05-21-1074)
- Urban Corps Charter School (CA) — (09-17-1543)
- Easthampton (MA) — (01-15-1189)
- Portland Public Schools (ME) — (01-20-1098)
- Argosy Collegiate Charter School (MA) — (01-20-1238)
- BASIS DC Public Charter School (DC) (11-13-1140)
- Hazleton Area School District (PA) (03-10-5002)
- Orleans Parish School Board (LA) (06-13-1644)
- Tigard-Tualatin School District 23J (OR) (10-10-5002)