Background: Dual Language Programs. A DL program is an instructional model that provides content-based instruction to students in two languages, generally English and a target language other than English, that is spoken in the local community. The goal of DL programs is for the students, over a number of years of participation in the program, to become proficient and literate in both languages, while also meeting high academic standards in all subject areas.

The programs typically begin at kindergarten or first grade and continue through elementary school, and, if possible, into middle school or high school. A number of DL programs currently exist in school districts throughout Washington.

OSPI is required to facilitate DL learning cohorts for schools establishing or expanding DL programs. OSPI must provide technical assistance and support to these schools as well as those that receive funding under the K-12 Dual Language Grant Program.

Dual Language Grant Programs. In 2017, the Legislature passed SHB 1445, which created the K-12 Dual Language Grant Program in order to grow capacity for high-quality DL learning in the common schools and in state-tribal compact schools. The legislation required the awarding of up grants of up to $200,000 each through a competitive process to school districts or tribal compact schools proposing to either establish a DL program or expand a recently established language program in a school with predominantly English learnings. Additional funding up to $20,000 is mandated when awarding a grant to a school proposing to establish a DL program in a target language other than Spanish. Specific criteria is required for grant applicants, including the expected uses for the money, plans for outreach and teacher recruitment, and how the program will serve the applicant's English language learner population.

Grants under this program last for two years, and grantees must submit a report at the end of the grant period. The grant program is temporary and expires July 1, 2020.

Early Learning Dual Language Initiatives. Since 2017, the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) has been required to work with community partners to support outreach and education for families around the benefits of native language development and DL learning. DCYF is also required to create culturally responsive training and professional development resources on DL learning and support DL learning communities for teachers and coaches.

Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program. This voluntary preschool program serves eligible three- and four-year-olds. DCYF administers the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) to assist eligible children with educational, social, health, nutritional, and cultural development to enhance their opportunity for success in the common school system. DCYF rules require children to be at least three years old, but not yet five years old, by August 31st of the school year to enroll in ECEAP.

Essential Academic Learning Requirements. Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs), according to state law, are the identified knowledge and skills in which all public school students need to be proficient. These standards are based on the student learning goals of basic education, as defined by the Legislature. OSPI is required to periodically revise EALRs to match guidelines under state law and to identify grade level content expectations for state assessments and state and federal accountability purposes. Before developing or revising EALRs, OSPI is required to notify the State Board of Education and provide reasoning for doing so.

Summary of Bill (First Substitute): Three separate grant programs, all subject to appropriation, are created.

K-12 Dual Language Grant Program. The K-12 Dual Language Grant Program is established as a permanent program. Under this program, OSPI must establish two separate grant application and award process for establishing DL programs and for expanding existing DL grant programs.

Beginning October 1, 2020, OSPI must award up to ten, two-year grants up to $80,000 each to local education agencies interested in establishing DL programs, as well as ten, two-year grants up to $40,000 each for expanding DL programs. OSPI must award the grants under specific criteria. Each grant recipient must convene an advisory board to guide the development and continuous improvement of its DL program, and must use the grant money for specific purposes related to the program.

Heritage Language Grant Program. OSPI shall develop and administer the Heritage Language Grant Program to grow capacity for students to receive high-quality heritage language learning. A heritage language is defined as a target language other than English, spoken by an individual, a family, or a community, including the indigenous languages of native communities or the home language of immigrant or refugee communities.

Under this program, OSPI must establish two separate grant application and award process for heritage language programs, with one for immigrant and refugee students and one for indigenous language programs for native students.

Beginning October 1, 2020, OSPI must award up to five, two-year grants up to $75,000 each to local education agencies to create heritage language programs for immigrant and refugee students, as well as five, two-year grants of up to $75,000 each to create indigenous language programs for native students. OSPI must award the grants under specific criteria, including partnering with a local tribe or nation by non-tribal compact schools. Each grant recipient must use the grant money for specific purposes related to the program.

Beginning December 1, 2022, and by December 1st each even-numbered year thereafter, OSPI must submit a report to the Legislature that details the grant period's successes, best practices, lessons learned, and outcomes, including the impact of the programs on participating students' language gains and overall academic outcomes.

OSPI must promote the program by reaching out to immigrant and refugee communities and native communities, including by notifying the state-tribal compact schools, tribal governments, and the Tribal Leaders Congress on Education.

Early Learning Dual Language Grant Program. DCYF must develop and administer the Early Learning Dual Language Grant Program to grow capacity for high-quality DL learning in child care and ECEAP in order to better meet the needs of English learners. Within this program, DCYF must establish two separate competitive grant application and award process for ECEAP contractors and for eligible child care providers.

Beginning September 1, 2020, DCYF must award up to five, two-year grants up to $10,000 each to eligible child care providers interested in establishing or converting to a DL program, as well as five two-year grants up to $10,000 each to ECEAP contractors to support new ECEAP DL classrooms. DCYF must award the grants under specific criteria, including participation in DCYF-conducted evaluations of program effectiveness. Each grant recipient must use the grant money to support professional development and capacity-building activities.

Biliteracy Development Standards. By September 1, 2021, OSPI must adopt EALRs and grade level expectations (GLEs) for biliteracy development that are aligned with the EALRs for English language arts and the statewide student assessments. The EALRs and the GLEs must be periodically updated to incorporate best practices in biliteracy development.

Loan Repayment for Dual Language Teachers. The Office of Student Financial Assistance must enter into agreements with certificated teachers to repay all or part of the teacher's federal student loans in exchange for teaching service in a DL program. Eligible teachers must hold an endorsement in bilingual education, and may receive a maximum payment amount of $5,000 per year, for up to four years. Recipients must certify teaching service and are no longer eligible if assigned to teach a program other than a DL program.

Agency Duties. OSPI duties related to DL services and supports is modified, including a requirement that OSPI provide a list of technical assistance and support that must be provided to K-12 Dual Language Learning Grant Programs and Heritage Language Grant Programs. DCYF must establish one full-time employee dual-language specialist position to administer the Early Learning Dual Language Grant Program and to continue and expand upon the activities in DCYF's Early Learning Dual Language Initiative. Provisions describing similar DCYF duties related to DL learning outreach and professional development support are repealed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on First Substitute: PRO: Dual language is very important for children's brain development. The bill would help foster high-capacity learning for students with second-language abilities. The bill is an ongoing commitment on the part of the state on the importance of students' language abilities and their cultures. The current program is set to expire in July, making the bill timely and crucial. Many tribal compact schools and local districts have benefited from the grants in this program. Districts are currently struggling to find and retain bilingual educators. Being able to speak dual languages in school can lead to better communication between students, teachers, and families, leading to a more welcoming school community. Early learning dual language help students have more opportunities and achieve better academic outcomes. Dual language programs have great academic outcomes for all dual-language students, not just those learning English. The grant program has led to great success for schools that have implemented dual language programs. Dual immersion teachers need greater support in order to retain these educators. Dual language programs are able to unite students and families from various cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. The bill supports the educational model that closes educational gaps for student groups. Teaching heritage and indigenous languages helps strengthen cultural and linguistic ties to communities.