The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit to California educators over getting adequate English language instruction, the Associated Press reported. State and federal law requires schools to teach non-English speakers the language, but California, according to the suit, is not offering instruction to nearly non-native 20,000 students.
The suit also alleged that the lack of instruction meant that some children were held back a grade or were forced to live with low proficiency scores due to the language barrier.
In response to the letter issued by the ACLU in January, officials are saying they are to ensure compliance at the local level.
"These kids are not getting the differentiated learning they're supposed to be getting," attorney Mark Rosenbaum said in Wednesday's filing.
"The Department will continue to work with local agencies to ensure compliance with districts' obligations to provide services to English learners," Chief Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction Richard Zeiger said.
The ACLU's lawsuit described the educational struggles particularly of three families with Spanish-speaking children attending Compton Unified School District and a San Diego 18-year-old in the Grossmont Union High School District.
The suit seeks a court order for schools to provide courses to English learners who need them, attorney's fees for filing the suit and unspecified further equitable relief the court finds appropriate.
