The World Language Education Assistance Program Act (World LEAP Act) would create a new federal grant program within the Department of Education to help local educational agencies establish or improve world language and dual language programs in elementary and secondary schools. Grants would be awarded on a competitive basis for 3-year periods (renewable at the Secretary of Education’s discretion) to fund innovative language programs, with an emphasis on growth in language proficiency, sustainability, and scalability to other districts. The act aims to address language skill shortages, support English learners and heritage learners, and strengthen the U.S. workforce and national security by preparing students to operate in a multilingual global environment. The bill outlines how grants should be used, including a priority on professional development for teachers, partnerships with community-based heritage language schools, and pathways to certify world language teachers. It also requires reporting on program implementation and student and teacher metrics, and allocates a specified annual federal funding level starting in fiscal year 2026. The overall goal is to expand access to high-quality world language instruction and create durable pipelines for multilingual instruction across the nation.
Key Points
- 1Establishment of a competitive grant program (World Language Education Assistance Program) to fund new or improved world language and dual language programs in local educational agencies for 3-year terms, with possible renewal.
- 2Selection criteria and priorities, including demonstrated student language growth from K–12, transferability to other districts, sustainability after grant funding ends, and a strong professional development component; special emphasis on intensive summer training, community partnerships, language immersion for English learners and heritage learners, consortia including schools and higher education, and teacher certification pathways.
- 3Use of funds rules, requiring at least 20% of grant funds to support paraprofessionals’ pathways to become certified world language or dual language teachers and ongoing professional development; up to 5% for evaluating program efficacy; the remaining funds for program activities and administrative costs.
- 4Reporting requirements, with a mandate to submit an 18-month progress report highlighting implementation and key metrics (student enrollment in language instruction, numbers of certified bilingual educators, and measures of community support), while protecting student privacy under federal law (FERPA-related provisions).
- 5Definitions and scope, including what constitutes a world language program, a dual language program, heritage learners, community-based heritage language schools, and related terms tied to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) definitions.
- 6Authorized funding level: $15,000,000 in fiscal year 2026 and each subsequent year to carry out the program.