Waltham Schools Receive State Grant For Bilingual ELE Program

WALTHAM, MA — Waltham Public Schools has received a FY22 Alternative English Learner Education Programs Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Eduction (DESE) to develop and implement an alternative bilingual English Language Education (ELE) program.

The purpose of the competitive grant program is to support districts that have English learners and wish to implement new and innovative ELE programs and supports. The program also provides districts with the opportunity to create a more culturally and linguistically diverse workforce.

There are four goals for the grant and districts may apply for funding for any one or more of them. Waltham Public Schools was granted funding for goal number one, or establishing an ELE program via Two-Way Immersion (TWI), Transitional Bilingual Education (TBE), or another program type approved by DESE.

As part of the program, Waltham schools will be required to submit monthly progess reports to DESE, commit to submitting program outcomes to DESE, and participate in program evaluation. The district must also partner with a higher education institution that has an approved bilingual ELE program in place.

For more information on this grant program, click here.