This bill would create the World Language Education Assistance Program. The Department of Education would award competitive grants to local educational agencies (school districts) to start new or improve existing world language and dual language programs. Grants would last 3 years and could be renewed. The bill defines dual language programs as bilingual instruction in English and another language for at least half the school day in early grades, continuing into middle school for students who began the program.
The bill lists selection priorities such as summer teacher training, partnerships with community-based heritage language schools, programs serving English learners and heritage learners, consortia that include schools and preferably a college, work with state licensure offices to expand teacher pathways, and recruiting secondary and postsecondary students into teaching careers. Local agencies must reserve at least 20% of grant funds for paraprofessional certification pathways and teacher professional development, and may use up to 5% for program evaluation. Grantees must report within 18 months on student enrollment numbers, counts of certified bilingual educators before and after the grant, and community support levels, while protecting student privacy.
The bill authorizes $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 and for each subsequent fiscal year to carry out the program. Grant awards are for 3-year periods. Local educational agencies must reserve at least 20% of each grant for paraprofessional certification pathways and teacher professional development, and may use up to 5% for evaluating the funded programs.
The bill states its purpose is to establish and support world language and dual language programs, address shortages of qualified language and bilingual teachers, support English learners and heritage learners, and help students gain language skills for a global economy.
No publicly available information.