Last month, Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva introduced the Supporting Young Language Learners’ Access to Bilingual Education (SYLLABLE) Act in the House of Representatives. The bill helps establish high-quality dual-language immersion programs in communities with high numbers of low-income families and supports those programs from pre-K to 5th grade.
“Today, bilingualism is an asset in our multicultural society and provides our students with more job opportunities in the economy of the future,” said Rep. Grijalva. “The SYLLABLE Act recognizes that importance, supports dual language programs in low-income communities, and ensures that every child has access to new educational opportunities that prepare them for a successful future.”
Studies show both native English speakers and English Learners in dual-language immersion programs benefit from bilingual education and experience substantial gains in language, literacy, and math. While these programs remain in high-demand across the country, they tend to cluster in affluent communities that provide limited access to low-income students.
“The SYLLABLE Act opens the doors of opportunity to the students who benefit from dual-language learning immersion programs the most,” continued Rep. Grijalva. “Investments in creative programs like these are a significant step forward toward closing the achievement gap and helping our students reach their full potential.”
The SYLLABLE Act was previously introduced as the PRIDE Act in earlier sessions of Congress.
