STATE FUNDING:
New York Supports Education & World Languages
ThefollowinginformationhighlightshowNewYorkchampionsK-12 educationandbeyondaswellaspotentialfundingsourcestosupport worldlanguageinitiatives.
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. New York State has been allocated nearly $9 billion in ARP Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds.
Learn more about how New York State’s school districts are using these funds 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.
California Supports Education & World Languages
Learn more about New York State’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:
Adirondack Foreign Language Enhancement Fund: “Created to inspire French and Spanish teachers within Adirondack elementary, middle and high schools (K-12) to reach for the stars, the Fund also elevates the status of language teachers in the teaching community.” Grants typically range from $500 to $3,000.
Learn more about this funding opportunity here
Carnegie Corporation of New York: Funds education initiatives as one of its priorities. “Our grantmaking aims to ensure that American public education prepares all students with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions they need to fully participate in democracy and thrive in the global economy.” World language could be part of an overall initiative that meets one of its focus areas such as New Designs to Advanced Learning. Learn more about the Foundation’s funding and grant process here.
Exclusivetohighereducation:
Learn more about New York State’s initiatives here.
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