House and Senate Appropriations Committees released a four bill FY26 “minibus” appropriations bill that contains final compromise funding levels for the Departments of Defense Labor, HHS, and Education. The great news is that the World Language Advancement and Readiness Grants program at the Department of Defense was not only preserved but received a 50% increase. Additionally, key K-12 programs that the Trump Administration proposed for elimination – including Title II-A (pr

the US Department of Education announced that it had concluded six interagency agreements with four other federal agencies that will transfer some but not all responsibility for multiple USDE education programs. Virtually all major language education programs housed currently by the Department of Education will be impacted.

As artificial intelligence continues to transform education, language educators have been among the early adopters of tools that use AI and chatbots to enhance communication, feedback, and personalized learning. However, as Congress moves forward with new legislative efforts to regulate artificial intelligence in schools, these policies will directly influence how educators and students are able to use AI-driven tools for instruction and assessment.

the state of Indiana submitted to the U.S. Department of Education a request to consolidate multiple federal K-12 programs, including all or parts of Titles I (migrant education but not state grants), II-A, III and IV A and B, into a single block grant, which could be used for “any activity authorized under the” Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).

The House Labor HHS Education Appropriations Subcommittee is expected to approve at its September 2nd mark-up a FY26 funding bill which would cut the Department of Education by $12 billion (-15% cut). It would also decimate key language education programs, eliminating funding for ESEA Title II-A (professional development), Title III (English Language Acquisition), and HEA Title VI Fulbright Hays (language education and study abroad).