The World Language Advancement and Readiness Grant (WLARA) Program, which has already awarded more than $35 million in multi-year grants to twenty public school districts in thirteen different states, is facing a tough road to secure level funding next year. The fiscal year 2024 House Defense Appropriations bill would cut funding in half for WLARA – to $7.5 million from $15 million – while the Senate Appropriations Committee-approved version would reduce it by one-third – to $10 million. A cut of either of these magnitudes would have dramatic repercussions on language education and, more specifically, would lead to far fewer WLARA innovative program grants next year.
As a constituent with access to on-the-ground data about how important world language education is to our students and the nation, your voice will matter a great deal and will bolster our efforts to convince Congress to provide WLARA with at least level funding next year.
Congress’s August recess presents a great opportunity to have your voice heard. Please take action today and help us ensure that America’s schools have an opportunity to establish or expand innovative world language programs.