State House of Representatives passes bills to assist English language learners

Measures also include more support, funding for bilingual programs

February 14, 2008

OLYMPIA — The state House of Representatives yesterday passed several bills to assist students learning English, as well as those who want to learn a second language. The measures, all sponsored by democrats, were included in a comprehensive education package designed to improve Washington’s public education system.

Rep. Zack Hudgins (D – Tukwila) sponsored House Bill 2523, which creates a World Language Supervisor position in the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

“Not only are we are the most trade-dependent state in the nation, we have a growing population of communities whose first language is something other than English” said Hudgins. “In my district alone there are over 100 different languages spoken at home. If they are to succeed economically, if our state is to succeed economically, then our world language programs need a more concise, concerted effort to meet the needs of our colleges and our businesses.”

Hudgins explained that many local jobs are tied to the global economy and that the state can become more competitive by leveraging local diversity through world language programs in school.

“If we want to sell apples and airplanes, software and wine to the world, we need to speak the language of our customers,” added Hudgins. “We learn those languages in school – and a world language director at OSPI will help coordinate those efforts.”

House Bill 2607 sponsored by Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos (D - Seattle) develops recommendations to improve standards for teachers of English language learners.

“This bill addresses an overwhelming need, since the fastest growing segment of the student population in our state is comprised of English language learners,” said Santos, who pointed out that 117 different languages are spoken by the 77,000 students enrolled in Transitional Bilingual Programs. “If we really want to give every student an equal opportunity to succeed, we must equip all teachers with an understanding of how language skills are acquired as well as with the best strategies to teach academic subjects.”

House Bill 2810 sponsored by Rep. Pat Sullivan (D – Covington) enhances resources and assistance in school districts with concentrations of English language learners. The legislation highlights the increasing need for additional resources in schools with high English language learner student populations and high poverty levels. This bill will provide additional funding through the Learning Assistance Program for school districts with more than 20 percent student enrollment in the Transitional Bilingual Program and more than 40 percent of students eligible for Free or Reduced Price Lunch.

“When you have high levels of poverty and high levels of English language learners in schools, some kids will need more time to succeed,” Sullivan said. “We have to support these students; the additional resources in the Learning Assistance Program will allow schools to offer extended learning opportunities for our students.”

HB 2607 and HB 2810 stem from the House Education Committee's visit to the Yakima Valley last fall, and are among the top recommendations from the school superintendents in that area.

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