FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 25, 2008

REP. SANCHEZ INTRODUCES The US and THE WORLD EDUCATION ACT
Legislation would establish educational grant to implement supplemental international educational services for teachers and prepare students for the global workplace

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Representative Loretta Sanchez, introduced groundbreaking legislation that will provide funding to encourage and expand international education and foreign language programs in schools. The U.S. and the World Education Act, H.R. 7063, would require the Deputy Assistant Secretary for International and Foreign Language Education to establish a new grant program to promote international education in elementary and secondary schools by funding both teacher professional development focused on international education, and extracurricular programs that promote international education.

"In today's global economy, it is more critical than ever that our students have a solid understanding of various cultures around the world and of course, are able to speak and read foreign languages," said Sanchez. "My bill will provide these students - our future workforce - with the tools they need to compete in this global market. Given our troubled economy, it is more important than ever that we make sure our future generations are equipped with a skill set that will help them keep our economy on track, while challenging them and allowing them to excel to their fullest academic potential."

The US and The World Education Act strives to improve U.S. students' academic achievement to prepare them to compete in an international marketplace. Data published over the last decade has shown the United States to be lacking compared with other countries in some areas of school performance, particularly at the higher grade levels. The bill finds that American-based multinational corporations, as well as small businesses, increasingly need employees with knowledge of foreign languages and cultures to market product to domestic and international consumers, as well as to work effectively with the foreign employees and partners in other counties.

The U.S. and the World Education Act will provide grants to support international education and foreign language focused professional development for will provide grants to support international education and foreign language focused professional development for teachers. This critical training will ensure that teachers have the tools to educate students on these issues which are critical to their future success. In addition the legislation will provide grants for extracurricular programs focused on international education and foreign language to continue students' engagement on these issues outside of the classroom as well. These grants will help improve student achievement in international education (in particular, subject matters related to world history, international relations, foreign languages, international economics, and technology) and better prepare them for success.

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