The new provision in my bill will be immensely helpful in clarifying a target population of students who are the most limited in their ability to speak English. The third provision in this legislation would authorize several programs under title VII which were previously part of the Vocational Education Act. Vocational training for immigrant adults and outofschool youth. training funds for teachers of immigrant students. and bilingual materials development have all proved to be small but effective programs. This provision would remove the setaside for each program required under the Vocational Education Act and would allow the Department of Education to set priorities for the use of these funds. The focus of this funding will be for demonstration projects which will identify successful teaching methods rather than service programs which merely maintain the status quo. I am very encouraged by Secretary Bells interest in using these programs as catalysts of research and development which will encourage State and local education agencies to share in the formulation of new training methods. I would also like to call your attention to the provisions of the bill which require that instructors teaching immigrants under title VII must themselves be proficient in English. Secretary Bell and I agree that the intent of title VII is to teach English to immigrants. Such a priority necessitates a full knowledge of English by the instructors involved in its programs. Bilingual education programs were originally intended to help nonEnglishspeaking children learn English quickly so they could join the mainstream of our society. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in support of this legislation. The Bilingual Education Improvement Act will return our federally funded bilingual education programs to their original mission of equipping immigrants for full participation in our democracy. Mr. President.
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immigrant immigrants