Speech #1050076200

To shift virtually all funding for elementary and secondary education programs to the title VI education block grant would drastically alter the Federal. State. and local partnerships that prepare our children for the future. The Hoekstra amendment will eliminate 26 Federal education programs. including the bilingual and immigrant education programwhich provides funding to school districts throughout the country to help more than 3 million limited English proficiency students to become proficient in English and achieve high standards. The amendment would remove all requirements that local education agencies provide services for limitedEnglish proficient students. economically disadvantaged students. Native American students. immigrant students. or gifted and talented students. Funding will be eliminated for education technology. schooltowork programs. professional development. and teacher training. Funds normally targeted for these activities could be used for any purpose. even noneducational purposes.