English language acquisition: state formula grant program

The Pennsylvania Department of Education received a $20.05 million English Language Acquisition State Grants award (CFDA 84.365) from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of English Language Acquisition, effective July 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. This formula grant supports comprehensive language instruction 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, PDE is required to expend at least 95 percent of its allocation through sub-grants to Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) and other eligible entities that directly deliver services to English learner populations.

PDE distributed these funds across 76 sub-awardees, including traditional public school districts, charter schools, and intermediate educational service units serving communities throughout Pennsylvania. The sub-grantees provide direct English language instruction, academic enrichment programs, professional development for educators, curriculum development, parent engagement initiatives, and technology-based learning programs tailored to support limited English proficient (LEP) students in meeting state academic content and achievement standards. Notable sub-recipients include large urban districts such as Pittsburgh Public Schools, Philadelphia-area districts, and Reading School District, as well as specialized charter schools focused on dual-language and bilingual education models, ensuring equitable access to English language services across diverse geographic and demographic regions of the commonwealth.