Federal Appeals Panel Reverses Order on English-Learners in Texas

A federal appeals panel has reversed a July 2008 ruling by a U.S. district court that Texas must revamp its programs for secondary English-language learners because they violate federal law. The appeals court did not accept claims by the G.I. Forum and the League of United Latin American Citizens that the Texas Education Agency had failed to take what federal law calls “appropriate action” to overcome language barriers of students learning English. It also disputed the plaintiffs’ claim that the TEA had not been responsible in monitoring...