Dual Language Grant Announcement
With Secretaries Riley, Mineta and Caldera
Tuesday, December 19, 2000
Hello, I'm Dick Riley of the U.S. Department of Education.
In March of this year, I challenged Americans to create 1,000 dual language programs by year 2005. Today, it's my great pleasure to announce the Department's first-ever Dual Language Grants. These grants are an important step toward meeting that goal of 1,000. 71 elementary schools will receive grants to help students meet high academic standards in both English and a second language. Today's grants support local efforts to set new, higher expectations for students. And make no mistake: Language is an asset. We need more Americans who are proficient in two or more languages, including English. These language skills truly increase a young person's opportunities in life. In addition, research suggests that learning a second language can help to unlock a child's mind. Some studies show that students who acquire a second language do better in other academic subjects. And in the anecdotal evidence, which I've seen in schools from Oregon to Washington, DC, it is very persuasive as well.
At the national level, we are working hard to help children acquire the language skills that are so essential for a quality education here in the 21st century. In fact, Congress just passed a budget that contains dramatic new investments in our nation's schools, including a $48 million increase for bilingual education. And it's my hope that the Dual Language grant program will be one of many that benefit from this increase. Dual language programs can benefit our nation in a variety of ways. Just ask Secretary of Commerce Norman Mineta and Secretary of the Army Luis Caldera, they're with us today.
First, we'll hear from Secretary
Mineta, who has included "investing in the future" and
improving worker education as his very top priorities at Commerce.
Then we'll hear from Army Secretary Caldera, whose leadership
there has been distinguished by innovation and a strong focus
on education. Secretary Mineta?
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[Secretary Mineta]: Thank you very much Secretary Riley. I grew
up in a bi-lingual household so I learned very early on the value
of learning another language. My parents spoke Japanese at home.
And we lived in San Jose, California where many people speak Spanish
and other languages as well. So I'm a big supporter of bi-lingual
education. I believe the dual-language programs which received
these grants are absolutely critical to building a stronger nation...and
a stronger economy. Today we all live in a world that is virtually
borderless. Most of our bigger companies are global businesses
and they are looking for people with global language skills.
More efficient air travel allows people to move easily from nation to nation...across many thousands of miles in a matter of hours. The Internet is connecting tens of millions of people from every corner of the world so they can talk to one another...and share ideas. And American businesses have gone global...with much of our economic growth coming from foreign trade. All this makes for a very competitive world. And we must all be prepared. One way to prepare is teaching our children to speak another language. Knowing a second or third language will give them a tremendous advantage when they go looking for a job. As the Commerce Secretary and growing up in San Jose, California, I have seen first-hand the advantages of being able to communicate in a second language.
Not only does it give you the
ability to relate on a personal level, speaking another language
also gives you a window on other cultures...in terms of how other
people think...how they see the world...and how they practice
their values. So I am delighted that our Department of Education
is supporting these programs. I am certain that they will benefit
communities across the country. Thank you very much. Secretary
Caldera?
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[Secretary Caldera]:
Muchos Gracias Secretarío
Mineta. Es muy importante que los estudiantes en nuestras escuelas
puedan leer, hablar, y escribir bien el español . Pero
también es muy importante que desearon la habilidad en
un segundo lengua. Ciertamente es muy importante para mi éxito
en la vida.
(ENGLISH TRANSLATION: Many thanks Secretary Mineta, it is very
important that students in our schools are able to read, speak,
and write well in Spanish. But it is also very important that
they are given the ability in a second language. Certainly this
has been very important for the success in my life.)
The men and women of our United States armed forces serve all
over the world, and it's very important for them to have second
language skills, so that they can relate more directly to the
people and the governments of the countries in which we are working
together to try to preserve peace in the world, and to relieve
the suffering and oppression of people who don't have democracies
as strong as ours.
These men and women benefit tremendously from the language instruction that we have provided them, and it's so important if they can begin to learn these languages earlier in life. That's why I am so excited to be here today to congratulate the schools that have received these awards and to congratulate the students, and Secretary Riley for his vision in supporting dual language programs throughout our nation.
Secretary Riley?
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[Secretary Riley]:
And I ought to thank both of my friends for their statements and for their great leadership. I've seen so much progress in our nation's schools over the last 8 years, and the new education budget will help continue our progress.
But, as you know, the "heavy
lifting" of improving education is done at the local level,
in schools and communities like the ones that are receiving today's
grants.
I'm grateful to all the business leaders, educators, and parents
in America who are working for better education. And I am confident
that today's dual language grants will help create exciting learning
opportunities for thousands of students across the country.
Thank you very much.