◆ House bill · H.R. 5547 (119th Congress)

To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to provide for additional activities, resources…

Summary

This bill expands the allowable uses of grants under the English Language Acquisition program and expands related reporting requirements. The English Language Acquisition program was designed to help ensure that English learners, including immigrant children and youth, attain English proficiency and develop high levels of academic achievement in English. Eligible entities receiving subgrants under the program are required to use funds for effective language instructional programs, professional development, and family and community engagement, and are authorized to use funds for additional related activities. Eligible entities include one or more local educational agencies (LEAs), or one or more LEAs partnering with a specified entity (e.g., an institution of higher education). Under the bill, eligible entities may use subgrants for additional activities, such as (1) increasing the access of English learners and their parents to legal, educational, and financial resources and social services, including by providing such resources and services in the native language of such English learners and their parents; and (2) providing educators with culturally competent training and professional development. The bill also requires eligible entities receiving subgrants to report additional information to their state educational agencies, such as providing information in the aggregate and disaggregate by English learners with a disability, ethnicity, race, and native language.