U.S. Higher Ed Bill Calls for Teacher Prep for ELL's

For the first time, a new Federal Education Law (H.R. 4137) requires colleges and universities to do something in regard to preparing teachers to work with English-language learners.

The bill, signed into law on Aug. 14, 2008 by President Bush, requires colleges and universities to set annual goals for increasing the number of teachers for instruction of English language learners (ELLs) and other areas where there are teacher shortages.

Here's what the new higher education law says under Title II, Section 206:

"Each institution of higher education that conducts a traditional teacher preparation program (including programs that offer any ongoing professional development programs) or alternative routes to state certification or licensure program, and that enrolls students receiving federal assistance under this act, shall set annual quantifiable goals for increasing the number of prospective teachers trained in teacher shortage areas designated by the Secretary or by the state educational agency, including mathematics, science, special education, and instruction of limited English proficient students."

You can view the entire "Higher Education and Opportunity Act" on Libary of Congress' THOMAS legislative search engine.

The law also requires that each institution provide an assurance that "general education teachers receive training in providing instruction to diverse populations, including children with disabilities, limited English proficient students, and children from low-income families."

For the first time the nation has a statutory requirement for colleges and universities to set goals related to teacher shortage areas, including ELLs.

H.R. 4137 also includes a provision in Title II to establish graduate fellowships for teacher educators in second language acquisition pedagogy and theory. Including bilingual education and ESL teacher preparation as high-priority areas in the Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GANN) program is also a small, but significant, step by lawmakers to try and address the needs of ELLs in the classroom.

For a more thorough coverage of this story visit Mary Ann Zehr's story on Education Week.