Lucille Roybal-Allard: “The bilingual education programs reauthorized in H.R. 6 are critical to promoting equal education opportunities for…”

“The bilingual education programs reauthorized in H.R. 6 are critical to promoting equal education opportunities for public school children. Many limited English-proficient students simply cannot learn and compete in the classroom without the English language instruction and supportive services authorized by this bill. It is important to emphasize that the primary objective of bilingual education is to teach children English, while simultaneously providing instruction in core academic subjects in their native language. This approach is designed to prevent a child from falling behind in basic subjects until they acquire English language proficiency and make the transition into an English-only classroom. The elimination of these essential programs could cause irreparable harm to tens-of-thousands of children and permanently hamper their academic growth by increasing the likelihood that they will lose their self-esteem, interest in academics, and drop out of school. Our Nation simply cannot afford to waste these young lives and ultimately lose the benefits of their untapped talents. We must protect our children and defeat the Roth amendments.”