Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB3138

Introduced
5/9/23  

Caption

To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to provide for additional activities, resources, and data collection with respect to English learners, and for other purposes.

Impact

The bill introduces important modifications that encourage states to improve their approaches towards teaching English learners. Provisions include culturally competent training for educators and support for policies that aim to enhance the educational outcomes for these groups, making sure that they are not isolated from mainstream educational practices. Additionally, it mandates the assessment of local laws that affect English learners, which aims to address potential barriers in the education system that these students face due to their immigration status or language abilities.

Summary

House Bill 3138 aims to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, focusing on enhancing educational outcomes for English learners and immigrant children and youth. The bill proposes a range of new activities, resources, and data collection efforts specifically designed to support these populations in achieving high levels of academic success, ensuring they meet state academic standards along with their non-English learning peers. This is vital in a diverse educational environment, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity in academic settings.

Contention

Despite its positive intentions, the bill's long-reaching implications can stir debate. Advocates argue that the focus on collective educational growth for English learners reduces educational disparities, while critics might contend that it could impose standardized practices that overlook local needs. The prioritization of bilingual and multilingual education under this amendment could also lead to discussions about resource allocation and educational equity among different demographics, particularly concerning immigrant children and youth.

Notable_points

Another key element discussed in the bill is the enhancement of data collection practices that include statistics on racial, ethnic, and linguistic diversity among educators. This measure underlines the need for representation within educational environments, which has been a crucial point of contention in previous legislative discussions about equitable education.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB460

Supporting Providers of English Language Learning Act or the SPELL Act This bill allows elementary and secondary school teachers who teach English learners, bilingual students, or dual language immersion students to receive additional amounts of student loan forgiveness and loan cancellation.

US SB871

A bill to amend section 7014 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to advance toward full Federal funding for impact aid, and for other purposes.

US HB1591

To amend section 7014 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to advance toward full Federal funding for impact aid, and for other purposes.

US HB938

To abolish the Department of Education and to provide funding directly to States for elementary and secondary education, and for other purposes.

US HB3605

Reaching English Learners Act

US HB452

Education Savings Accounts for Military Families Act of 2023 This bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to establish a program to provide children with parents on active duty in the uniformed services with funds to pay educational expenses. Specifically, ED must establish a tax-exempt Military Education Savings Account for dependent children of parents in the uniformed services for the payment of the children's educational expenses. Funds in the savings account may be used for specified purposes, including the cost of attendance at a private elementary or secondary school or institution of higher education, private tutoring, or costs associated with an apprenticeship or other vocational training program.

US HB10518

To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to provide grants to local educational agencies to encourage girls and underrepresented minorities to pursue studies and careers in STEM fields.

US HB4550

To direct the Secretary of Education to carry out a grant program to support the recruitment and retention of paraprofessionals in public elementary schools, secondary schools, and preschool programs, and for other purposes.

US HB2691

To abolish the Department of Education and to provide funding directly to States for elementary and secondary education, and for other purposes.

US HB463

Children Have Opportunities in Classrooms Everywhere Act This bill allows tax-exempt distributions from qualified tuition programs (known as 529 plans) to be used for additional educational expenses in connection with elementary or secondary school. The bill also allows certain federal funds for elementary and secondary education to follow a student from a low-income household to the public school that the student attends or for tax-exempt educational expenses. Under current law, tax-exempt distributions in connection with elementary or secondary school are limited to tuition for a public, private, or religious school. The bill allows these distributions to be used additionally for curriculum and curricular materials, books or other instructional materials, online educational materials, tutoring or educational classes outside the home, testing fees, fees for dual enrollment in an institution of higher education, and educational therapies for students with disabilities. Distributions may also be used for tuition and the purposes above in connection with a home school (whether treated as a home school or a private school under state law). In addition, the bill directs state educational agencies to allocate grant funds to ensure the funding follows students to their public school or for other tax-exempt educational expenses outlined by the bill. Each state that carries out these allocations must establish a plan that allows the parent of an eligible child to apply for grant funds.

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