Challenge: Reading, writing, and speaking English well are all critical skills for living the American dream. Nineteen states have reported an increase of more than 50 percent in English language learners over the last three years – and that growth is expected to continue. America’s schools need help. Solution: Provide states with new tools to increase oral and written language proficiency in English: higher academic standards, and highly qualified teachers. President Bush has requested research to identify and implement in the classroom the best ways for students whose first language is not English to learn to speak, read, and write English in a fluent manner.
