AB 2514: Pupil instruction: dual language programs: grant program.

Existing law establishes a system of public elementary and secondary schools in this state and authorizes local educational agencies throughout the state to operate schools and provide instruction to pupils in kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive. Existing law, enacted by the approval of Proposition 58 at the November 8, 2016, statewide general election, requires school districts and county offices of education to solicit input on and provide to pupils effective and appropriate instructional methods, including establishing language acquisition programs, in order to ensure that all pupils, including English learners and native speakers of English, have access to the core academic content standards and become proficient in English.

This bill would establish the Pathways to Success Grant Program with the goal of providing pupils in preschool, transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, and grades 1 to 12, inclusive, with dual language immersion programs, developmental bilingual programs for English learners, or early learning dual language learners programs, as those terms are defined. The bill would require the State Department of Education to administer the program and, commencing September 1, 2019, would require the department to award a minimum of 10 one-time grants of up to $300,000 per grant, to school districts and consortia of school districts in partnership with other specified entities. The bill would require the department to develop criteria for awarding the grants, and would require the department to consult with specified persons and entities in developing those criteria. The bill would authorize a school district or consortium to apply to the department to be eligible to receive a grant, as provided.

The bill would require a school district or consortium that receives a grant to use it for specified purposes relating to dual language immersion programs, developmental bilingual programs for English learners, and early learning dual language learners programs. The bill would require the department, on or before June 30, 2025, to submit a report to the appropriate committees of the Legislature detailing the successes, best practices, barriers or constraints, and outcomes of school district and consortium programs funded with these grants. The bill would require its provisions to be implemented only upon an appropriation for its purposes in the annual Budget Act or other statute.