HR 1966 IHCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

112th CONGRESSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

1st SessionCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

H. R. 1966CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to establish a partnership program in foreign languages.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

May 24, 2011CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Mr. HOLT (for himself, Mr. WU, Mr. PIERLUISI, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. POLIS, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, and Mr. REYES) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and WorkforceCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

A BILLCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to establish a partnership program in foreign languages.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘Foreign Language Education Partnership Program Act’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM IN FOREIGN LANGUAGES.

(a) In General- Section 5494 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7259c) is amended to read as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 5494. PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM IN FOREIGN LANGUAGES.

‘(a) Purposes- The purposes of this section are--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) to provide grants for developing and maintaining model programs of articulated foreign language learning from kindergarten through grade 12 that increase the number of students graduating from high school with an advanced level of proficiency in at least one foreign language; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) to widely disseminate information on the model programs that demonstrate success.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Program Authorized-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- From the amounts made available to carry out this section for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall make grants to eligible partnerships to develop and maintain, or to improve and expand, model programs that support articulated foreign language learning in kindergarten through grade 12.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT- For the first 2 fiscal years that an eligible partnership receives funds under paragraph (1) for a model program on a less-commonly-taught foreign language (as determined by the Secretary), the Secretary may allow that partnership, based on demonstrated need, to use those funds for planning and development activities, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) development of an articulated instructional curriculum for the less-commonly-taught foreign language to which the model program relates;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) in-service and pre-service development of teachers, and development of curriculum and language assessments in the less-commonly-taught foreign language to which the model program relates; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) development of contextual programs and curriculum materials related to the less-commonly-taught foreign language to which the model program relates, as described in subsection (e).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(c) Applications-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- Each eligible partnership desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) CONTENTS- Each application shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) identify each member of the partnership, provide contact information and letters of commitment for each such member, and describe the responsibilities of each such member, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) identifying the member that will receive and manage the grant;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) specifying how each member will be involved in the planning, development, and implementation of the activities proposed under the grant;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) describing the resources to be provided by each member; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iv) describing how each member will contribute to ensuring the continuity of student progress in proficiency from kindergarten through grade 12 in not less than 1 foreign language to which the program relates;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) describe how an articulated curriculum for students to achieve an advanced level of proficiency by grade 12 in the foreign language will be developed and implemented;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) identify target proficiency levels in the foreign language for students at critical benchmarks, and describe how progress toward those proficiency levels will be assessed at the benchmarks;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) describe how the partnership will support and continue the program after the grant has expired, including how the partnership will seek support from other sources, such as State and local governments, foundations, and the private sector; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(E) describe what assessments will be used or, if assessments are not available, how assessments will be developed.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(d) Use of Funds- An eligible partnership receiving a grant under this section--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) shall use grant funds--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) to design model programs and teaching strategies relating to not less than one foreign language that are informed by the best practices recognized by the field and by available research;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) to develop, for the foreign language to which the model program relates, curriculum materials based on an articulated framework or approach designed to bring students to an advanced level of proficiency by grade 12;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) to recruit students and teachers for the foreign language, such as individuals from heritage populations; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) to carry out teacher in-service and pre-service professional development programs, including summer institutes, that support the model programs; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) may be used--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A)(i) to develop nationally recognized assessments for kindergarten through grade 12 for the foreign language to which the model program relates, if such assessments do not exist for that language; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) to enhance nationally recognized assessments for kindergarten through grade 12 for the foreign language to which the model program relates, if such assessments already exist for that language;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) to provide scholarships and incentives to recruit new teachers for the foreign language, and encourage practicing teachers to take advantage of the professional development opportunities;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) to provide opportunities for maximum foreign language exposure for students domestically, such as the creation of immersion environments in the classroom and school and on weekend or summer experiences, and special tutoring and academic support;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) to provide the possibility for multiple entry points for studying the foreign language;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(E) to provide scholarships for study-abroad opportunities related to the foreign language, for students in grades 9 through 12 and teachers and prospective teachers of such students, except that the eligible entity shall not use more than 20 percent of the grant funds for this purpose;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(F) to carry out activities to integrate foreign languages into the school curriculum and generate whole-school collaboration, including activities and support for teachers of other subjects and administrators;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(G) to carry out activities to encourage community involvement in the model program, especially with respect to heritage communities;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(H) to incorporate effective and innovative uses of technology to enhance student learning and teaching in the foreign language;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(I) to develop certification and alternative certification programs at the State level, especially for less-commonly-taught foreign languages (as determined by the Secretary);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(J) to obtain technical assistance in the development and implementation of the model program funded under this section; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(K) to recruit or appoint a language supervisor to oversee and coordinate the progress of the articulated foreign language program funded under this section across grade levels in the local educational agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(e) Contextual Dimension- A grant under this section may not be used to support a model program unless the program includes a dimension, carried out in conjunction with foreign language instruction, under which each foreign language learner also participates in programs to expand the understanding and knowledge of historic, geographic, cultural, economic, and other contextual factors of countries with populations who speak the foreign language to which the model program relates.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(f) Research and Evaluation-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- A grant under this section may not be used to support a model program unless the program includes a research and evaluation component, under which--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) information is collected and analyzed regarding the effectiveness of activities carried out under the program, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) program design;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) student and teacher recruitment strategies;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) curricular approaches;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iv) teacher development; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(v) foreign language assessment instruments;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) information is collected and analyzed regarding the impact of each activity in subparagraph (A) on the foreign language proficiency of the students;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) information is collected and analyzed regarding program participation, including data on student enrollments and numbers of foreign language teachers; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) the information collected, and the analyses of that information, are made widely available to the public.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) STANDARDIZATION- The Secretary shall provide guidelines to standardize the categories of information collected and analyzed under paragraph (1) and the manner in which that information is collected, analyzed, and made available to the public.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(g) Duration of Payments-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) INITIAL GRANTS- An initial grant awarded under this section to an eligible partnership shall be for a period of 4 years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) ADDITIONAL GRANTS- An eligible partnership completing a 4-year grant award under this section may be eligible for not more than 2 additional 5-year awards under this section, but only if the partnership demonstrates, based on nationally recognized standardized foreign language assessments, that the partnership’s model program is effective.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(h) Matching Requirement-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- An eligible partnership that receives a grant under this section shall provide, toward the cost of carrying out the activities supported by the grant, from non-Federal sources an amount equal to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) 20 percent of the amount of the grant payment for the first fiscal year for which a grant payment is made;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) 30 percent of the amount of the grant payment for the second such fiscal year;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) 40 percent of the amount of the grant payment for the third such fiscal year; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) 50 percent of the amount of the grant payment for the fourth such fiscal year, and for each year of any subsequent grants made to the eligible partnership under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) NON-FEDERAL SHARE- The non-Federal share required under paragraph (1) may be provided in cash or in-kind.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) WAIVER- The Secretary may waive, in whole or in part, the matching requirement under paragraph (1) for any fiscal year if--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) the eligible partnership demonstrates hardship and the waiver will best serve the purposes of this section; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) the foreign language to which the model program relates is a less-commonly-taught foreign language (as determined by the Secretary).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) Supplement Not Supplant- Grant funds provided under this section shall be used to supplement, not supplant, other Federal and non-Federal funds available to carry out the activities described in this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(j) Data Collection, Analysis, and Dissemination-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary may reserve not more than 3 percent of the total amount appropriated for this section for any fiscal year to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) annually collect and analyze data on the model programs supported under this section; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) disseminate nationally, including through a Web-based clearinghouse--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) aggregated data collected under subparagraph (A); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) promising kindergarten through grade 12 foreign language learning and teaching practices, and successful program models, that are developed under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) AUTHORITY FOR GRANTS OR CONTRACTS- The activities described in paragraph (1) may be carried out by the Secretary directly or through grants or contracts to institutions of higher education or public or private nonprofit agencies and organizations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(k) Definitions- In this section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) ADVANCED LEVEL OF PROFICIENCY- The term ‘advanced level of proficiency’ means--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) the advanced level as measured by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) level 2 as measured by the Interagency Language Roundtable; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) any other nationally recognized measure of advanced standards of foreign language proficiency, as determined by the Secretary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) ARTICULATED- The term ‘articulated’ means that each grade level of the foreign language program is designed to sequentially expand on the student achievement of the previous level with a goal toward achieving an established level of language proficiency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) ELIGIBLE PARTNERSHIP- The term ‘eligible partnership’ means a partnership that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) shall include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) one or more local educational agencies or State educational agencies; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) one or more institutions of higher education, which shall include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(I) a school, department, or program within the institution or institutions of higher education that provides a teacher preparation program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(II) a school, department, program, or center within the institution or institutions of higher education that provides a program of study or research in foreign languages; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(III) a school, department, program, or center within the institution or institutions of higher education that provides programs of study about the historic, geographic, cultural, economic, and other contextual factors of the world area or country with populations who speak the foreign language to which the model program relates; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) may also include one or more businesses or nonprofit organizations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(l) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2012 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 5 succeeding fiscal years.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Findings and Purposes- Subpart 9 of part D of title V of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7259 et seq.) is further amended by inserting after section 5491 the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 5491A. FINDINGS; PURPOSES.

‘(a) Findings- Congress finds the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) According to the National Research Council in 2007, a pervasive lack of knowledge about foreign cultures and foreign languages in this country threatens the security of the United States as well as its ability to compete in the global marketplace and produce an informed citizenry.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) According to the National Research Council in 2007, early language learning in elementary and secondary school is key to establishing a pipeline of students who can eventually reach a high enough level of proficiency in foreign language and culture to meet national needs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) According to the Committee for Economic Development in 2006, current efforts to develop language skills and knowledge of world regions at an early age are clearly inadequate to prepare high school graduates with the skills necessary for productivity and citizenship in an integrated global economy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages found that only 34 percent of United States students in kindergarten through grade 12 were enrolled in foreign language classes in 2000. Furthermore, the length of time students spend studying languages at school has stagnated, so that many students reach only introductory levels of proficiency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) Research demonstrates that success lies not only in the number of years of learning but also in having carefully sequenced and articulated programs of language learning across a child’s school experience, requiring bridging the gaps between levels in foreign language education.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(6) A survey of secondary school principals and foreign language teachers by the Center for Applied Linguistics in 1999 identified a shortage of foreign language teachers as a major impediment to greater foreign language learning, along with funding, lack of training, and poor academic counseling.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Purposes- The purposes of this subpart are--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) to provide grants for model programs that address the needs for developing, strengthening, and expanding the teaching and learning of foreign languages and foreign cultures in the elementary and secondary schools of the United States; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) to widely disseminate information on successful programs and practices.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Technical Amendments- The table of contents in section 2 of such Act is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by inserting after the item relating to section 5491 the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘Sec. 5491A. Findings; purposes.’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by striking the item relating to section 5494 and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘Sec. 5494. Partnership program in foreign languages.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink