A historical account of dual language programs in the state of Texas: 19th-21st centuries

Bilingual education in the state of Texas was a highly contested issue during the 19th century and has continued to be into the 21st century. A chronological history of the inception of dual language education was established through various court cases that impacted the way students learned in private and public schools. The influx of immigrants who arrived in the U.S. changed the way English Language Learners (ELLs) were taught and the way that they were represented in America’s schools. The U.S. Constitution protects students’ educational rights regardless of their immigration status as the 14th Amendment represents their freedom to learn in a language they understand. Several court cases were examined that support the rights of ELLs and the decisions advocated for the right to a fair and meaningful education. Through this investigation, it was concluded that the inception of dual language programs has been successful as students acquire two languages and become bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural. Keywords: English Language Learners, dual language program