School Districts have a responsibility to provide services to migrant students who are limited English proficient (LEP). Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 bars discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin in any program or activity that receives Federal financial assistance. In Lau v. Nichols (414 U.S. 684) (1974), the Supreme Court held that school districts must offer LEP children meaningful opportunities to participate in the programs they offer to other students. Therefore, school districts must offer students with special language needs services that enable them to participate meaningfully in school. School districts may not use Migrant Education Program funds to meet their Title VI responsibilities.
