WASHINGTON D.C. -- A bipartisan House-Senate panel working to finalize President Bush’s education reform bill today approved landmark reforms that would transform federal bilingual education programs into a single program that helps limited-English proficient students learn English instead of keeping them trapped in classes taught in their native language. The reforms would also ask states to have a highly qualified teacher in every classroom by 2005.

“These agreements will bring new accountability and flexibility to some of the most significant components of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act,” said Rep. John Boehner (R-OH), chairman of the House-Senate panel.

Conferees ratified the following agreements this morning:

Bilingual Education. Conferees ratified a proposal that would bring dramatic reform to federal bilingual education programs, consolidating current programs into a single program with a new focus on helping limited-English proficient students learn English. This agreement would give parents more educational options and let them decide which programs best fit the needs of their children. It would target federal funding toward ensuring that students are proficient in English after three years of attending school in the U.S. and require that parents be notified that their LEP child is in need of English language instruction.

Teacher Quality. Conferees ratified a proposal that would make it easier for local schools to recruit and retain excellent teachers, while asking states to have a highly qualified teacher in every public classroom within five years. The agreement would consolidate current programs into a new Teacher Quality Program that would emphasize state and local methods and allow greater flexibility for local school districts.

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