July 28, 2023

Wyden Introduces Legislation to Support Secondary Language Education Research

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore, this week introduced legislation that would support secondary language learning by requiring research on student attainment in non-English languages. 

“Helping students succeed in a diverse multilingual world means investing in secondary language education,” Wyden said. “That’s why I’m proud to introduce legislation that would help students in Oregon and nationwide learn new languages by directing federal resources to research student attainment in non-English languages.”

The Language Education Data Enhancement Act would require the National Center for Education Statistics to collect, acquire, compile, and disseminate student attainment in languages other than English. The bill would also require the National Center for Education Research to support research on attainment in languages other than English. This data would allow for a better understanding of the current teacher shortage affecting the United States, as well as the impact of the decline in languages being taught in schools.

The text of the bill is here.

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Press Contact: Luis Soriano