Looking for Funding for Your School’s Language Program?

Funding, or the lack thereof, is a problem that schools across the nation face. It is often the reason for cutting valuable programs, losing talented teaching, and diluting what it is that schools are able to offer to their communities. Fortunately, there are several federal funding sources that preK-12 schools can use to pay for language programs and technology-based programs. Here is a brief overview of some of the most common ones:

1. Title III of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA): Title III provides grants to states and local education agencies to support language instruction educational programs (LIEPs) for English language learners (ELLs). Schools can use these funds to pay for language programs, including hiring teachers and purchasing materials and technology.
2. Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT): EETT provides grants to states and local education agencies to support the integration of technology into preK-12 education. Schools can use these funds to pay for technology-based programs, including purchasing hardware and software, as well as to train teachers and students on how to use technology effectively in the classroom.
3. Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA): AEFLA provides grants to states to support adult education and literacy programs, including programs that teach English (ESL/ELL). Schools can use these funds to pay for language programs for adults in the community.
4. Improving Literacy Through School Libraries (LSL): LSL provides grants to states and local education agencies to improve literacy through the use of school libraries. Schools can use these funds to pay for technology-based programs that support reading and literacy, such as purchasing e-books and digital devices.
5. 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC): 21st CCLC provides grants to states and local education agencies to support before- and after-school programs, including programs that focus on language instruction and technology. Schools can use these funds to pay for language and technology-based programs that are offered outside of regular school hours.

It is important to note that these are just a few of the federal funding sources that are available for preK-12 schools to pay for language and technology-based programs. Schools should consult with their state education agency or local education agency to learn more about the specific funding opportunities that are available in their area.

Written by Sean Kreyling

Sean is LLN's founder and CEO and an accomplished world language teacher. Sean has extensive experience developing and implementing online and onsite nursery-12 language programs.