(Multilingual learners were formerly referred to by Maine DOE as English learners. The US DOE continues to describe such students as English learners.)
Administrative Letters on Policy & Statute
- Administrative Letter 27 Legal Requirements to Provide English Language Acquisition Services to English Learners
- Administrative Letter 20 Change in English Learner Identification and Exit Criteria
- Administrative Letter 23 Clarification on Requirement to Ensure Parents’ Meaningful Access to IEP Information
State & Federal Statute and Court Decisions
States must have policies, procedures and effective implementation of practices that are aligned with and support the implementation of ESEA Title III.
- Maine Statute: Bilingual Education. Title 20-A: Education
- Maine Statute: Non-Discrimination. Title VI: Administrative Procedures and Services
- Landmark Court Rulings Court cases that have formed the regulations and guidelines that direct and impact Maine’s ESOL/Bilingual Programs to ensure multilingual learners are properly and adequately served.
Stemming from key Supreme Court rulings, the US DOE and DOJ have provided a Dear Colleague Letter to clarify schools' obligations regarding the education of multilingual learners.
Title III of the Elementary and Secondary Act (ESEA). Title III (as reauthorized by the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015) provides funding to support programs for multilingual learners and establishes a system for holding recipient states accountable for their performance in raising multilingual learners' achievement and English language proficiency outcomes.
Lau Plans
A Lau Plan, named after the landmark Lau v. Nichols U.S. Supreme Court Decision of 1974, is an equal access plan that protects students who are multilingual learners (MLs). All Maine SAUs are required to have a board-approved Lau Plan. For assistance, contact Jane Armstrong, ESOL State Specialist at jane.armstrong@maine.gov