Beyond the Promise of BrownThe current ESEA authorization bill S. 1177 is weak and without the proposed amendments pertaining to accountability, would violate the Civil Rights of English Language Leaners that was decided in 2 landmark Supreme cases: Lau vs Nichols and Castaneda vs Pickard. 2014 marked the 40th anniversary of Lau vs Nichols (1974) the Supreme Court case that outlined guidelines for States to ensure that English Language Learners (ELLs) within the public schools must be treated equally under the law, and must achieve English Language Proficiency for the purpose of graduating from High School. Castaneda vs Pickard (1981), mirrors this language as it pertains to Bilingual Education. Thus, the intent of the Supreme Court was to hold States and School Districts accountable for the achievement of English Language Learners. This population is the fastest growing in our Nations public schools, and ELLs are the fastest growing population in Virginias public schools as well. In spite of the Va. Department of Educations guidelines regarding ELLs, 1 teacher to 59 students, I am aware of a school division in which 2 teachers and a paraprofessional service 200 students. This school division is out of compliance. Furthermore, I am aware of the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) takeover of an entire school division in Northern Virginia that was found to have not been in compliance because of the achievement gap of ELLs. Since OCRs take over, this school division has become a model for ELL and parental engagement. Thus, even with the current accountability measures, school divisions are often not compliant. Thats why S. 1177 with the 4 supporting amendments would ensure accountability and strengthen the Promise of Brown. After all, our English Language Learners are counting on us to fulfill that promise. Sincerely, Velma Denise Ricks,Legislative Liaison for Virginia Association of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (VATESOL)