In Johns, Kenneth M. 2001 article English as a Second Language (ESL) began as a program to assist Limited English Proficient (LEP) students. Our nation's schools are comprised of a diverse student body. Each student enters school at a different starting point of knowledge due to their cultural, social, ethnic, or economical background. 42 percent of all public teachers have at least one LEP student in their class. To ignore students that come in with no English speaking ability is a violation of their civil rights.