MR. LEE Lau vs. Nichols

Background Information Approximately 1,800 Chinese immigrants were not receiving a proper education because they could not speak or understand English. In 1970, United States District Court for Northern California ruled in favor of the school district. Alan Nichols – President of the school board) Group of Chinese immigrants filed the suit. The “leader” was Mr. Lau, whose daughter dropped out of high school.

Many Points for Prosecution Denying Chinese speaking children a proper education  Students perform poorly in school  Eventually dropout of school  Find it hard to get and hold a job  Deny them the chance to exercise their rights as citizens

Past Court Cases Under Brown vs. Board of Education, “All children regardless of race or ethnic background, had the SAME RIGHT to an education.” Because the children were being taught in an unfamiliar language, attorney Edward Steinman claimed that their right to an education was violated.

Ruling Supreme Court ruled in favor of the plaintiff. (Mr. Lau) Because the children were being taught in an unfamiliar language, attorney Edward Steinman claimed that their right to an education was violated. The judge, Steinman, also claimed that by accepting federal funds, the school district was obligated to provide services to all language minority students.

Impact Education is not a right it is a PRIVILEGE. The San Francisco Unified school district acknowledged that they received federal funds to establish a Chinese bilingual and ESL program which served as many students as possible. All students whose first language isn’t English throughout the country MUST receive either ESL or Bilingual services, unless the student proves his/her proficiency in English.

Reasons English was the basic and the ONLY language used in the classroom. Students had to prove that they knew English in order to graduate.

References Eisler, Kim Isaac (1993), A Justice for All: William J. Brennan, Jr., and the Decisions That Transformed America, New York: Simon & Schuster, ISBN Simon & SchusterISBN Greenhouse, Linda. Nixon Appointee Eased Supreme Court Away from Liberal Era, New York Times, June 26, 1995.New York Times