A total of 27 schools and school districts in California have been selected through a competitive grant process to receive up to $400,000 each to expand a current dual language immersion program or establish a new one.
“I applaud these schools for taking the initiative to invest in their dual language immersion programs,” California’s State Superintendent Tony Thurmond said. “Schools with strong dual language immersion programs are proven to promote strong academic performance among students from all backgrounds and, in the end, prepare our students for college and careers in a highly competitive global marketplace where speaking more than one language is a critical skill.”
The Dual Language Immersion Grant (DLIG) was established by Assembly Bill (AB) 130, Chapter 44, Section 158 of the Statutes of 2021, to expand access to quality dual language learning and foster languages that English learners bring to California’s education system. It requires grantees to provide integrated language learning and academic instruction in elementary and secondary schools for native speakers of English and native speakers of another language with the goals of high academic achievement, first- and second-language proficiency, and cross-cultural understanding. Superintendent Thurmond has been a strong proponent of dual language immersion even as an Assemblymember, authoring AB 2514 (Chapter 763, Statues of 2018).
The DLIG will fund the expansion or establishment of dual language immersion programs at a total of 55 schools throughout California, contributing toward the goal of 1,600 dual language immersion schools set by the Global California 2030 Initiative. Grant recipients will make use of DLIG funding for teacher and administrator professional development, purchase or development of instructional materials and resources, bilingual teacher recruitment, and family and student outreach.
For more information on the DLIG or to view grant recipients, visit https://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/fo/r28/dlig21result.asp.
