MALDEF recognizes that learning English is critical to participating in, contributing to, and succeeding in American society. However, English-only and Official English laws do nothing constructive to advance the important goal of English proficiency. Instead, such laws are discriminatory and carry with them the potential to jeopardize the health, safety, and well-being not only of English Language Learners (ELLs), but of our communities as a whole. Laws that interfere with or undermine the government’s ability to communicate quickly and effectively are simply bad public policy.
Public Policy Education
The Electronic Employment Verification System (E-Verify)
MALDEF Regional Counsel Testifies Before Congress on Promise and Shortcomings of NCLB for English Language Learners
No Child Left Behind
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) is among our nation’s most critical federal civil rights measures. NCLB was signed into law on January 8, 2002 and reauthorized a number of federal programs aimed at improving the performance of U.S. primary and secondary schools. It helps promote equity in U.S. public education by holding schools, school districts, and states accountable for the academic achievement of all students, including English language learners (ELLs).