Over the past two years, federal and state funding for K-12 education programs has increased considerably. Record amounts of short-term federal education stimulus monies have been disbursed to support learning in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition, increasing amounts of annual federal and state funding have been directed to schools for a wide range of programs, including those that support instruction in world languages.
For example, federal funding for world language instruction is available through Title IV, Part 4 of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which provides “Student Support and Enrichment Grants.” This flexible block grant directs funds to three areas: academic enrichment subjects, technology use, and curriculum to support safe and healthy students.
Funds for the program are allocated to the states, which in turn award subgrants to local school districts. Districts can use the monies for instructional materials, digital content, and other activities that support student learning.
Funding for instruction in the world languages is also available through annual state and district grants and allocations. In addition, state adoptions of instructional materials can provide dedicated funding. Such adoptions are held in seventeen of the fifty states. Upcoming world language adoptions include:
- California: Classroom implementation is this academic year. Vista Higher Learning (VHL) programs have been approved by the state. For more information visit www.vistahigherlearning.com/ca.
- New Mexico: Classroom implementation is this academic year. VHL programs have been approved by the state. For more information, contact your New Mexico Language and Literacy Specialist.
- Nevada: Adoption review is scheduled for this year; classroom implementation follows in the 2023–2024 academic year.
- Oklahoma: Adoption review is scheduled for this year; classroom implementation follows in the 2023–2024 academic year.
- West Virginia: Adoption review is scheduled for this year; classroom implementation follows in the 2023–2024 academic year.
Future blogs in this series will take a look at the K–12 programs that support language learners and their teachers, as well as recent funding increases at the state and federal levels.
By Jay A. Diskey
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