SACRAMENTO – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today announced 625 grantees will receive $55.5 million in English Language Acquisition Program (ELAP) grants.  For the list of awardees, please visit Funding Results: English Language Acquisition. 

"One in four California students is learning the English language and the achievement gap between them and our highest-scoring students is unacceptable," said O'Connell. "Closing the gap is no longer just a moral imperative; it is also an economic one, because it threatens the future of our students and the economic health and security of California. These grants will help our fastest-growing student population learn English and meet their full potential."

ELAP provides funds for two purposes: to assist students in grades four through eight to learn English as efficiently and as quickly as possible, as well as progress academically to meet grade-level standards, promotion, and graduation requirements; and to provide assistance to English-learner students who have recently been reclassified to fluent English proficiency.

The noncompetitive state grant is authorized by Education Code sections 400-410.  The deadline for applications has been extended, so applicants who request a grant will receive one until ELAP funds are exhausted. These funds must be used to provide supplemental instructional programs and support, and to coordinate services and funding sources for English learners. For more information about the ELAP grants, please visit Past Funding Profile (ID 765): English Language Acquisition.