STATE FUNDING:
Mississippi Supports Education & World Languages
AmericaRescuePlan(ARP)ESSER:
Depending on the State and whether its Department of Education formally requested an extension from the U.S. Department of Education, school districts may extend the spending timelines to April 2026 to complete a project. However, funds still must be allocated by September 30, 2024. Because ARP ESSER may fund any activity authorized by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), it can fund world language programs. Mississippi was allocated more than $1.6 billion in ARP Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds.
Learn more about Mississippi’s funding here.
BipartisanSaferCommunitiesAct (BSCA)and21stCenturyCommunity LearningCenters(21stCCLC):
The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) was signed into law last year, which provides funds to support States and school districts in designing initiatives to promote safer, more inclusive, and positive school environments. While most of this funding is dedicated to safer and healthier learning environments, the BSCA also directs an additional $50 million to the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program.
The 21st CCLC program funds academic enrichment activities during non-school hours including before and after school as well as summer.
Programs typically include tutoring, literacy, and other core subjects along with youth development activities, prevention programs, the arts, technology and so forth. This additional funding focuses on after school and summer learning programs for middle and high school students. The 21st CCLC program may offer a way to include world language programs and activities if it can be linked to non-school hours.
Learn more about the Mississippi Department of Education’s 21st CCLC program here
TitleIV,PartAStudentSupportand AcademicEnrichmentProgram:
This fund uniquely increases the capacity of states, local education agencies (LEAs), schools, and local communities to (1) provide all students with access to a wellrounded education, (2) improve school conditions for student learning, and (3) improve the use of technology to improve the academic achievement and digital literacy of all students. Budgets must align with the following formula: at least 20% for Well Rounded Education (WRE), at least 20% for Safe and Healthy Schools (SHS), and some portion for Effective Use of Technology (EUT). LEAs may spend no more than 15% of EUT funds on technology infrastructure purchases. World languages is an approved activity included under WRE.
FoundationGrants:
Community Foundation of Central Gulf Coast Community Foundation: The Foundation awards a number of grants throughout the year including Leo W. Seal Innovative Teacher Grants.
Use this link to learn more about the Foundation and its resources.
Exclusivetohighereducation:
The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education, International and Foreign Language Education (IFLE) office administers programs that strengthen foreign language instruction, area/international studies teaching and research, professional development for educators, and curriculum development at the K-12, graduate, and postsecondary levels.
Title VI programs offer domestic grants to institutions of higher education to develop and maintain capacity and performance in area / international studies and world languages.
Fulbright-Hays programs provide overseas funding to current and prospective U.S. educators to participate in advanced overseas study and research.
Learn more about these higher education programs here.
Learn more about Mississippi’s Title IV, Part A program here.