What's Happening?
The federal grant program for professional development focused on English learners is set to resume this fall with a new cohort of projects and priorities. The program, previously managed by the Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA), has undergone
significant changes, including a shift in oversight to the office of effective educator development programs. The new round of funding will consist of a small group of about 10 to 13 projects, each with a funding cap of $1 million per year for five years. New priorities include projects that promote evidence-based literacy and those with endorsements from governors or state education officials. The changes come after a period of upheaval, including layoffs and the discontinuation of several grants.
Why It's Important?
The resumption of the English-learner grant program is significant for educators and students, particularly in light of the growing population of English learners in U.S. schools. The new priorities and oversight aim to enhance the quality of education for English learners by focusing on evidence-based practices and securing state-level support. This could lead to improved teacher development and better educational outcomes for English learners. However, the changes also raise questions about the future direction of the program and the impact on existing grantees, some of whom have expressed concerns about the new requirements and the discontinuation of previous projects.
