World LEAP Act
Sponsored By: Representative Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]
Introduced
Summary
Builds U.S. language capacity by funding local world language and dual language programs and by growing the bilingual teacher pipeline. This bill would create a competitive Department of Education grant program that awards three-year grants to local educational agencies to start or scale world language and dual language immersion from pre-K through grade 12.
Show full summary
- Families and students: Students would get broader access to dual language immersion and world language pathways, including programs targeting English learners and heritage learners, with grant selection favoring measurable gains in K–12 language proficiency.
- Teachers and paraprofessionals: Grants must reserve at least 20% of funds for paraprofessionals' pathways to language teaching certification and for teacher professional development. Up to 5% may be used to evaluate program effectiveness.
- Local districts and communities: Awards favor scalable programs with continuation plans, consortia that include schools and higher education, partnerships with community-based heritage language schools, and collaboration with state licensure offices. Recipients must report within 18 months on student participation and the number of certified bilingual educators before and after the grant with FERPA protections.
*If enacted and funded, the bill would authorize $15 million per year beginning in fiscal year 2026, increasing federal spending by that amount.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Grants to expand school language programs
If enacted, the Education Department would award competitive grants to school districts to start or improve world and dual language classes. Starting in fiscal year 2026, the program would get $15 million a year in 3-year, renewable grants. Districts would set aside at least 20% for paraprofessional certification and teacher training, and up to 5% for evaluation. Priority could favor immersion programs, summer teacher training, and partnerships with heritage language schools, plus efforts to expand teacher certification pathways. Schools would report within 18 months on enrollment and bilingual teacher counts, with FERPA privacy.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]
VA • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19]
CA • D
Sponsored 2/25/2025
Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/3/2025
Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2]
NM • D
Sponsored 3/5/2025
DelBene
WA • D
Sponsored 3/5/2025
McBride
DE • D
Sponsored 3/25/2025
Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2]
RI • D
Sponsored 7/2/2025
Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9]
CA • D
Sponsored 7/10/2025
Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]
VA • D
Sponsored 8/26/2025
Sewell
AL • D
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov