# Plain Language Summary: Language Education Data Enhancement Act

This bill requires the federal government to collect and publish better information about language education programs in American schools. Right now, there's no consistent way to track which schools offer foreign language classes, how many students are taking them, or what languages are being taught. This bill fixes that by requiring schools to report detailed data about their language programs to the Department of Education, which will then make this information publicly available.

The practical effect is that parents, educators, and policymakers will finally have clear answers to basic questions like: How many schools in my state teach Spanish versus Mandarin Chinese? Are language programs growing or shrinking? Which schools have the most robust language offerings? This data could help families make better decisions about where to send their kids and could show which communities have gaps in language education. It could also help schools learn from each other about what works well.

The bill doesn't change what languages schools teach or require schools to add new programs. It's purely about transparency and information gathering. Schools will need to spend some time collecting and reporting this data, but the bill doesn't appear to impose major new costs or burdens. The main impact is that language education, which has been largely invisible in national education statistics, will finally be tracked and measured like other important school subjects.

Language Education Data Enhancement Act

Wyden, Ron

Language Education Data Enhancement ActThis bill requires research and reporting on attainment in languages other than English. Language other than English means any spoken or unspoken language other than English, including a Native American language and American Sign Language.Specifically, the bill requires the National Center for Education Research to support research on attainment in languages other than English.&nbsp;The bill requires the National Center for Education Statistics to collect, acquire, compile, and disseminate data on student enrollment in courses in languages other than English, the number and certification of teachers employed in teaching languages other than English, and the number and distribution of courses offered in languages other than English at all levels of education. &nbsp;