The Language Acquisition portion of No Child Left Behind Act contains a National Professional Development Program that provides discretionary grants to institutions of higher education and schools or States for professional development activities to improve classroom instruction for students learning the English language. Grants will support activities that are aimed at assisting teachers, administrators, or other educational personnel to meet high professional standards.

The No Child Left Behind Act reauthorizes this program and will help to improve children's education by improving the quality of instruction for English language learners.

Last year, President Bush signed legislation that provided $37.5 million for this program in 2002. This year, President Bush has proposed maintaining support for this program in FY-03.

Applicants have flexibility in designing and implementing professional development programs to meet the needs of the communities they serve. Allowable activities include, but are not limited to:

• Career Ladder programs to prepare paraprofessionals for certification and licensure as teachers of limited English proficient students.

• Programs to assist regular classroom teachers who work with limited English proficient students in completing English as a second language or bilingual education certification.

• Professional development activities that emphasize research-based reading approaches for reading teachers, new teachers, and other teachers of limited English proficient students.

Approximately 300 colleges and universities are expected to apply for funds. Applications are reviewed and scored by a panel of experts. The Department expects to award approximately 150 grants for FY- 02.

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