Dual language flagship grants

(a)

Purposes

The purposes of this section are as follows: (1)To provide incentives for local educational agencies to develop innovative strategies for working with low-income and limited English proficient children. (2)To improve the school readiness of low-income and limited English proficient children and to ensure they enter school ready to succeed. (3)To provide consistent support for learning through high-quality dual language programs from preschool through the fifth grade. (4)To authorize the Secretary to carry out a demonstration project to enhance the biliteracy and bilingualism skills for children in impoverished communities, including limited English proficient and minority children, through the use and longitudinal evaluation of dual language programs beginning in preschool through the fifth grade. (b)

Program authorized

From funds made available under subsection (i), and after reserving funds under subsection (c), the Secretary is authorized to award not more than five grants to fund partnerships of local educational agencies, early childhood education programs including State-funded preschool programs and Head Start programs, and technical assistance providers to demonstrate effective strategies in ensuring the academic success of low-income minority students through the implementation and evaluation of a high-quality dual language program that— (1)serves cohorts of economically disadvantaged minority and limited English proficient children from preschool through fifth grade; (2)establishes an infrastructure that supports a rigorous assessment system, including dedicated staff time and professional development in assessment, a data collection plan, and the collection of multiple measures of academic progress, bilingualism, and biliteracy; (3)implements and aligns a curriculum that promotes the development of bilingual and biliterate competencies for all students through at least grade five; (4)utilizes and aligns student-centered instructional methods that enhance the development of bilingualism, biliteracy, and academic achievement; (5)aligns professional development and training for early childhood education instructors and elementary school teachers and staff, with an emphasis on dual language instruction, second language acquisition, and content knowledge; (6)recruits, trains, and continuously develops staff to implement high-quality, dual language programs; and (7)establishes a responsive infrastructure for positive, active, and ongoing relationships with students’ families and the community that responds to and is reflective of the needs of the community and goals of the program. (c)

Reservation

The Secretary shall reserve not more than 5 percent of the amount appropriated under subsection (i) to carry out this Act, including the technical assistance and evaluation described in subsection (g) and dissemination of best practices described in subsection (h). (d)

Duration

Each grant under this section shall be awarded for a period of not more than five years. (e)

Applications for grants

(1)

In general

Each eligible entity desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require. (2)

Required documentation

Each application submitted by a partnership under this section for a proposed program shall include documentation that— (A)the partnership has partnered with an entity that has proven expertise in the implementation of high-quality dual language programs to provide on-going technical assistance and assist with the evaluation of the program; (B)the partnership has the qualified personnel to develop, administer, evaluate, and implement the program; and (C)the partnership is serving economically disadvantaged minority and limited English proficient children. (3)

Other application contents

Each application submitted by an entity under this section for a proposed program shall include— (A)data showing that the program is serving economically disadvantaged and limited English proficient children; (B)a description of how the program will align the language of assessment with the language of instruction; (C)a description of how the program will be evaluated to assess the goals of the program; (D)a description of how the evaluation will be used to inform broader efforts to improve instruction for limited English proficient children, including for preschool-aged children; (E)a description of activities that will be pursued by the program including a description of— (i)how the activities will further the school readiness and academic progress of children served by this program and support dual language development through grade five; (ii)methods of designing culturally and linguistically appropriate dual language curriculum; and (iii)methods of teacher training and parent outreach that will be used or developed through the programs; (F)an assurance that the program will annually provide such information as may be required by the Secretary; and (G)any other information that the Secretary may require. (f)

Selection of grantees

The Secretary through a peer review process shall select partnerships to receive grants under this section based on— (1)the articulation of preschool through fifth grade instructional practices, curriculum, and assessments strategies; (2)the extent to which school leadership has been involved and has demonstrated a commitment to a high-quality dual language program; and (3)the quality of the programs proposed in the applications submitted under subsection (e). (g)

Technical assistance and evaluation

From the amount appropriated under subsection (i) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve $250,000 to contract with an entity with a proven track record in dual language programs for the purpose of— (1)providing technical assistance to local educational agencies receiving grants under this Act in order to strengthen programs conducted by grantees pursuant to this Act; and (2)conducting an evaluation of programs funded under this Act, which shall— (A)be used by the Secretary to determine the effectiveness of programs funded through this Act and improve services to participating children; and (B)include— (i)a comprehensive evaluation of the impact of the programs on students, including an assessment of literacy skills and language development in both English and the native language; (ii)a comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness of instructional practices used in the programs; and (iii)a comprehensive evaluation of professional development strategies. (h)

Dissemination of best practices

The Secretary shall disseminate information on model programs, materials, and other information developed under this section that the Secretary determines to be appropriate for use by early childhood education providers to improve the school readiness of limited English proficient children. (i)

Authorization of appropriations

For the purposes of carrying out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2020 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years. (j)

Definitions

In this section: (1)

Dual language program

The term dual language program means an instructional strategy in which students are taught literacy and content in two languages and use the partner language for at least half of the instructional day and foster bilingualism, biliteracy, enhanced awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity, and high levels of academic achievement through instruction in two languages. (2)

State-funded preschool program

The term State-funded preschool program means a program that— (A)serves children who are ages 3 through 5; (B)has a primary focus of supporting early childhood education, including supporting children’s cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development and approaches to learning; (C)helps prepare children for a successful transition to kindergarten; (D)is either a school- or community-based program; and (E)is funded either in whole or in part by a State through a State agency with authority to promulgate regulations and monitor participating programs. (3)

Limited English proficient

The term limited English proficient, when used with respect to a child, means a child— (A) (i)who was not born in the United States or whose native language is a language other than English; (ii) (I)who is a Native American (as defined in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)), an Alaska Native, or a native resident of an outlying area (as defined in such section 8101); and (II)who comes from an environment where a language other than English has had a significant impact on the child’s level of English language proficiency; or (iii)who is migratory, whose native language is a language other than English, and who comes from an environment where a language other than English is dominant; and (B)whose difficulties in speaking or understanding the English language may be sufficient to deny the child— (i)the ability to successfully achieve in a classroom in which the language of instruction is English; or (ii)the opportunity to participate fully in society.