WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to decide whether Arizona is providing enough money for programs for students who are learning the English language.

The justices said Friday that they will consider overturning lower court rulings that the state has failed to provide adequate funding for programs for students who are learning English and that the failure violates a federal law requiring equal opportunities in education.

Arizona’s state school superintendent and the leaders of the state House and Senate urged the court to hear their appeal, arguing that a 2006 law essentially eliminated long-standing funding inequities.

The state itself asked the court to stay out of the dispute, saying Arizona would be better off working to comply with the lower court judgments.