Foreign Language Assistance
The program supports foreign language instruction in elementary schools, immersion programs, curriculum development, professional development, and distance learning.
One school district is designing a new plan for dual language immersion that will improve the program and serve as a model for other districts.
The new plan will outline how administrators, teachers, university researchers, students, and parents can collaborate to increase student academic success and English and Spanish language proficiency while developing an appreciation for multiculturalism.
The new plan will address all significant gaps and needs in the current immersion program, offering improvements that are based on state and national standards, research on language acquisition, best practices of instruction, and rigorous evaluation.
- Foreign Language Assistance Program--State Educational Agencies (SEAs) CFDA 84.293C
- Foreign Language Assistance Program--State Educational Agencies (SEAs) CFDA 84.293C
- Foreign Language Assistance Program--Local Educational Agencies with Institutions of Higher Education CFDA 84.293
- Foreign Language Assistance Program--Local Educational Agencies with Institutions of Higher Education CFDA 84.293
- Foreign Language Assistance Program--Local Educational Agencies CFDA 84.293B
The Department of Education ensures equal access to education and promotes educational excellence through coordination, management and accountability in Federal education programs. The Department works to supplement and complement educational efforts on all levels, encouraging increased involvement by the public, parents and students.
Program Accomplishments
The program made 50 new awards to local educational agencies in FY 07.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Projects must be designed to support innovative model programs of foreign language study in elementary and secondary schools.
Projects must show the promise of being continued beyond the grant period.
Not less than three-fourths of the appropriation must be used for elementary level projects.
This program is subject to non-supplanting requirements and must use a restricted indirect cost rate which is referenced under 34 CFR 76.564- 76.569.
For assistance call the Office of the Chief Financial Officer/ Indirect Cost Group on 202-708-7770.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
State and local educational agencies may apply.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Elementary and secondary school children benefit.
Credentials/Documentation
None.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
This program is eligible for coverage under E.O.
12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or the official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.
Application Procedures
To participate, an organization must have on file with the Secretary of Education, by the designated deadline, an application that complies with the statutory requirements. Contact the program office for specific application information.
Award Procedures
Applications are approved for awards by the Director, English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement, and Academic Achievement For Limited English Proficient Students based on evaluations and recommendations of outside experts and an administrative review of the applications.
Deadlines
Deadline will be announced in application notice published in the Federal Register. Contact the program office for more information.
Authorization
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended, Title V, Part D, Subpart 9. 20 U.S.C. 7259 - 7259(b).
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Approximately 90-120 days.
Appeals
None.
Renewals
Renewals are based on an annual review of the performance data and the availability of funds.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
The Federal share of the program may not exceed 50 percent of the project cost.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Awards are made for 3 years.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Financial status and performance reports, as required by EDGAR, 34 CFR 75.720.
Specific reporting requirements are contained in the grant documents.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
Grantees are required to maintain appropriate records related to grant funds, as required by EDGAR.
Financial Information
Account Identification
91-1000-0-1-501.
Obigations
(Grants) FY 07 $23,780,000; FY 08 est $25,655,000; and FY 09 est $25,655,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
The range of awards was $46,435 - $300,000. FY 07 $172,865 average.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
No specific regulations have been developed. EDGAR, 34 CFR 75, 77, 80, 81, 85, 86, 97, 98, 99, and 299.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Department of Education, OELA 400 Maryland Ave., S.W., Washington, DC 20202. Contact: Rebecca Richey. E-mail: Rebecca.richey@ed.gov Telephone: (202) 245-7133.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Selection criteria include: need for the project, significance, and quality of project design. The FY 08 competition includes an absolute priority for projects to establish or expand articulated programs of study in foreign language learning that exclusively teach one or more critical lanaguages. Critical languages are defined as languages critical to United States national security and include Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Russian, and languages in the Indic, Iranian, and Turkic language families.
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