What did the Supreme Court rule in Lau v. Nichols regarding language instruction for students?

The Supreme Court's ruling in Lau v. Nichols established that students who do not speak English proficiently must be provided with instruction in a language they understand. The case emphasized that educational institutions have a responsibility to ensure that language barriers do not deny students equal educational opportunities. This ruling specifically addressed the needs of students who were not native English speakers, affirming that they should receive appropriate support and instruction that accommodates their language skills.

This means that simply providing English instruction without addressing the comprehension level of the students does not satisfy legal requirements. The court highlighted the necessity for schools to take affirmative steps to provide the support needed for these students to succeed academically, thereby reinforcing the importance of accessible education for all students, regardless of their language proficiency.