Who Teaches Limited English Proficient Students?
The Department’s 1993-1994 Schools and Staffing Survey found that 42 percent of all public school teachers have at least one limited English proficient student in their classroom. However, only 30 percent of those teachers have received training to prepare them to serve these students. Furthermore, less than 3 percent of these teachers have earned a degree in English as a second language or bilingual education. As a consequence, there continues to be a critical need for assistance in preparing new teachers to serve these students and to improve the skills of those teachers already doing so. Fiscal Year 2003 Budget Request While the $665 million budget request for English Language Acquisition for fiscal year 2003 is the same as the fiscal year 2002 appropriation, it will provide an increase of some $54 million for the State formula grant program. The increase is due to the decline in funding required to cover continuation costs for instructional services and professional development pro
