Dear County and District Superintendents, Charter School Administrators, and Interested Parties:

2022 Request for Applications: Dual Language Immersion Grant

The California Department of Education (CDE) is pleased to announce that the Request for Applications (RFA) for the Dual Language Immersion Grant (DLIG) is now available.

The DLIG provides funds for projects to expand or establish dual language immersion programs that provide integrated language learning and academic instruction for native speakers of English and native speakers of another language with the goals of high academic achievement, first and second language proficiency, and cross-cultural understanding. Authorized under Assembly Bill 130, Chapter 44, Section 158 of the Statutes of 2021, the bill appropriated $10 million from the General Fund to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to be available through the 2024–25 fiscal year for the DLIG.

I have been a longtime advocate for multilingual education, and increasing the number of multilingual programs throughout California is a key priority. The DLIG provides an opportunity for California students to learn multiple languages, which helps create a competitive workforce for today’s global economy. Additionally, multilingual education supports greater language acquisition for all students and promotes the assets of our students who speak languages other than English at home.

Research demonstrates that multilingualism provides many benefits that help our schools and our students, including increased cognitive abilities, higher student achievement, and greater career opportunities. Multilingualism promotes global awareness, reduced discrimination, improved self-esteem, and stronger cross-group relationships.

In November 2016, more than 73 percent of California voters approved Proposition 58, now known as the California Education for a Global Economy (CA Ed.G.E.) Initiative. The CA Ed.G.E. Initiative provides a mechanism for parents to request multilingual programs for their children. California now has at least 747 dual language immersion programs throughout the state, with parents requesting additional programs at their own schools.

In July 2017, the California State Board of Education unanimously approved the English Learner Roadmap Policy, which lays a foundation for the education of English learners in Transitional Kindergarten through grade twelve in California. The English Learner Roadmap Policy identifies high-quality multilingual programs as the most equitable and effective approach to educating English learner students in particular.

The DLIG RFA is available on the CDE RFA DLIG web page at https://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/fo/r28/dlig21rfa.asp. Interested applicants are required to submit the DLIG Intent to Submit an Application Electronic Form by 4 p.m. on February 25, 2022. Submitting this intent form does not require an organization to ultimately submit an application; however, an application will not be accepted unless the electronic form was submitted and received by the CDE by the aforementioned deadline.

Eligible entities (including schools, school districts, county offices of education, charter schools, or consortia of the aforementioned entities) may apply for state funds to expand or establish dual language immersion programs.

All applicants must submit a complete application, including all required components, to the Language Policy and Leadership Office by 4 p.m. on March 18, 2022. Incomplete or late applications will not be scored or considered for approval.

A technical assistance webinar in regards to the DLIG RFA, letter of intent, and other program requirements will take place on February 11, 2022, at 2 p.m. For questions regarding the DLIG RFA, please contact Lorrie Kelling, Education Programs Consultant, Language Policy and Leadership Office, at 916-319-0845 or DLIG@cde.ca.gov.

Sincerely,

Tony Thurmond
State Superintendent of Public Instruction