# The World LEAP Act: What It Does

The World LEAP Act creates a new federal grant program to help schools start or expand language education programs. Specifically, the Department of Education would give money to local school districts to teach students languages other than English—whether through traditional world language classes or dual language programs where students learn in both English and another language for significant portions of the school day.

The bill is built on the idea that American students aren't learning foreign languages at the rate they should be. According to the bill, only one in five Americans speaks a language other than English at home, yet 90 percent of employers say they need workers with language skills. The bill also notes that schools are struggling to find enough qualified teachers to teach these languages. By providing grants, the law aims to address both problems: expanding language programs in schools and helping train more teachers to teach them.

Schools that receive these grants would have to spend at least 20 percent of the money on teacher training and certification—helping paraprofessionals become certified language teachers and providing professional development for existing teachers. The remaining funds would go toward actually running the language programs. Schools would also need to show they have a plan to keep the program going after the grant money runs out. The bill would authorize $15 million per year for these grants, though Congress would need to actually approve that spending each year.

For students, this could mean more opportunities to learn Spanish, Mandarin, French, or other languages starting in elementary school. For teachers, it could create new career pathways, especially for people who already speak multiple languages but lack formal teaching credentials. For communities, it could strengthen cultural connections by supporting heritage language programs that help students maintain their family's native language.

World LEAP Act

Kiggans, Jennifer A.

World Language Education Assistance Program Act or the World LEAP Act This bill requires the Department of Education to award competitive grants to local educational agencies to establish and carry out new, or improve existing, world language or dual language programs.