English language acquisition: state formula grant program

English Language Acquisition State Formula Grant Award Summary

The Connecticut Department of Education received a $7.91 million Formula Grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of English Language Acquisition under the English Language Acquisition State Grants program (CFDA 84.365) for the period July 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. This award supports comprehensive language instruction educational services designed to help English learners, including immigrant children and youth, achieve English language proficiency while meeting challenging state academic standards. As the State Educational Agency (SEA) prime grantee, the Connecticut Department of Education is required to expend at least 95% of the allocation through sub-grants to Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) and other eligible entities that directly deliver services to English learner populations.

The sub-grants awarded on December 11, 2025, and December 17, 2025, under the Title III English Learner (20868) program were distributed to 47 Connecticut LEAs and educational service organizations, including school districts in New Haven, Waterbury, Stamford, Montville, Stratford, Ridgefield, Milford, New Britain, Watertown, Middletown, Enfield, East Haven, East Hartford, and Capitol Region Education Council, among others. These sub-awardees provide direct English language instruction, academic enrichment programs, professional development for educators, curriculum development, and parent engagement initiatives to English learner students across Connecticut's public school system. The funding supports the development and implementation of English proficiency standards and objectives, establishment of accountability mechanisms for sub-grantees, and delivery of high-quality language instruction services tailored to meet the needs of English learners at the local level.