In 2016, California voters passed Proposition 58, which made it easier for schools to provide bilingual education. I was proud to endorse Proposition 58, and I fully support this effort and plan to do all I can as Superintendent to ensure the policy is implemented effectively. More than 1 in 5 students in California public schools are English Learners and over 40% speak a language other than English at home. Last year I helped to secure an additional $5 million in the state’s budget to fund bilingual education programs. A 21st Century education must prepare students for a global future that requires global competency. To compete on this scale, we must provide opportunities for foreign language education, especially at an early age, when research shows most students are most capable of learning a new language. I have introduced AB 2514 which will provide grant funds to districts in support of the creation and expansion of dual language immersion programs, developmental programs for English Learners, and early learning dual language programs. I will continue to work to equip each school district with the resources they need to recruit and train language teachers who can guide our students into a globalized future. I will also aim to incorporate foreign language classes in the curriculum for elementary and middle schools so our younger students can get a head start on building this skill. As Superintendent, I will: ● Expand bilingual education for English Learners ● Invest in language immersion programs for students who want to learn new languages ● Recruit and retain high-quality language education teachers through hiring incentives and professional development opportunities