Horne v. Flores
Arizona citizens have been involved in a long-running court action over whether their state can use the English language to teach in Arizona schools. Arizona appealed a lower federal court order that effectively said children who enter school unable to speak English are entitled to be taught in their native language.
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the lower federal court and ruled against Arizona’s English language requirement.
Arizona appealed to the United States Supreme Court. The American Unity Legal Defense Fund filed an amicus brief including substantial research supporting Arizona’s right to teach in English.
The Supreme Court overturned the Court of Appeals’ ruling and upheld Arizona’s successful English immersion program where all classes are taught in English. The Court relied on the research provided in the American Unity Legal Defense Fund amicus brief - and the Court specifically cited the brief to support their ruling!
More information
- Horne v. Flores brief
- Horne v. Flores transcript
- Horne v. Flores opinion