Legislators need to hear if something is important to you.  Please send both Senators and your Representative your thoughts on the Acts Below.  Feel free to copy/paste what we wrote, adjust it as you feel inclined, or write your own on the topic given.

To whom it may concern:

As a constituent in your district I am writing to inform you about a new piece of legislation looking for co-sponsors called the World Language Education Assistance Program (World LEAP): H.R. 5603.  

This legislation is aiming to allocate $15 million to the Department of Education in order to create competitive grants which schools across the country could apply for in order to improve their world language programs.  Currently there is funding available through the Department of Defense, but only DoD schools or those with J.ROTC programs would be eligible.  With this World LEAP legislation more schools across Indiana and the country as a whole would be eligible for these grants.  

The future economic well-being and safety of the United States will depend substantially on the ability of our workforce and military personnel to communicate proficiently and understand the languages and cultures of other countries.   K-16 world language and dual language programs are necessary to meet our nation's needs to compete globally and address issues of sustainable development both here and abroad.  These programs are essential to providing equitable educational opportunities for all learners.

Currently in the US, only 20.7% of US residents speak a language other than English at home, but 9 out of 10 US employers rely on employees with world language skills.  In a recent study by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages 1 in 3 foreign language-dependent employers reported a language skills gap and 1 in 4 employers lost business due to a lack of foreign language skills among their employees.  To combat these statistics it important to have strong world language programs within our K-16 schools.  However our nation's education system is suffering from severe shortages in world language, English Learner, and dual language immersion educators.  Creating a program within the Department of Education that focuses on World Language initiatives would greatly improve our nation's world language success.

Unfortunately, these programs are in danger and need help now.  This funding would ensure that 20% of this money is earmarked for Professional Development of teachers within the grantee district.  Preferences would go to programs that are working to both curb the teacher shortage and diversify the teacher workforce.  It would also support those programs that are working to expand their community engagement.  

JNCL-NCLIS has worked diligently with Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) to introduce this important piece of legislation to Congress, and we are proud of the work that has already gone into this important piece of legislation.    

For these reasons I urge you to support the World LEAP program (H.R.5603) and it's implementation at the DOE. 

Sincerely,

To whom it may concern:

As a constituent in your district, it is imperative that leaders in both the state and national government have accurate data concerning world language learning.  A provision of the AREA Act would call for a mandate that the Department of Education to collect and report statistical data related to the availability and access to world language education.  This provision would ensure an accurate picture and support the anecdotal information that we all believe to be true. It is imperative to have access to accurate data, and the lack of it makes it difficult to allocate funds and resources appropriately.   

Therefore, I urge you to support retaining the language attainment research provision in the Advancing Reasearch in Education Act (AREA) (S.3392)

Sincerely,

To whom it may concern:

Every year, students across the US have the opportunity to show their multilingual skills by earning their Certificate of Multilingual Proficiency (a.k.a. the Seal of Biliteracy in many states).  However many do not get this honor as they cannot afford the tests required.  As a constituent in your district, I ask that you allow both our English native speakers learning another language, as well as our English Language Learners to be proud of their multilingual skills and be able to prove it to potential colleges, work places, the military etc. 

The Biliteracy Education Seal and Testing (BEST) Act (H.R. 7007 / S. 3595) would allocate funds to help low income students the opportunity to pay for these tests and achieve their Indiana Certificates of Multilingual Proficiency.  The most vulnerable in our states should have an equal opportunities to prove their multilingual skills that are vital to the economy and security of the US.

Therefore, I urge you to support the BEST Act (H.R. 7007 / S.3595).

Sincerely,