President Barack Obama鈥檚 would raise spending levels slightly for states and local districts to support instruction for English-language learners, after several years of declining funding that was further eroded by sequestration.
The proposed budget鈥攗nveiled by the president earlier today at an elementary school in Washington鈥攁sks for $723 million in spending on English-language acquisition programs. That鈥檚 nearly the same amount in the proposed for fiscal 2014 by Congressional leaders in January.
As detailed by Alyson Klein, , the White House is asking for $68.6 billion for the U.S. Department of Education, an increase of $1.3 billion over fiscal 2014.
Title III鈥攖he provision of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act that sets aside money for English-language acquisition鈥攈as seen decreases in funding levels in recent years, even as the number of English-learners in public schools has continued to grow.
Beyond Title III, the Education Department also touts the White House鈥檚 proposed spending in , including its new $300 million Race to the Top competition that focuses on high-needs students and closing the achievement gap.