The Healey-Driscoll Administration has granted $2.3 million to 32 Massachusetts schools to enhance language learning programs. The initiative will support world language, heritage language, and English learner programs for K-12 students, Mass.gov reports.
According to Mass.gov, Maura Healey, “In Massachusetts, we want all students to succeed, regardless of zip code or circumstance.” Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll highlighted the state’s linguistic diversity and the importance of this investment for preparing a skilled, globally competitive workforce.
Dr. Patrick Tutwiler, Secretary of Education, sees the grants as a way to give students multiple pathways to multilingual proficiency, highlighting the workforce benefits of language skills. The initiative aligns with DESE’s vision of valuing all students, Commissioner Pedro Martinez told Mass.gov.
In 2025, Governor Healey signed the Protect Education Equity Bill, guaranteeing public education for all Massachusetts students, regardless of immigration status, laying the groundwork for these grants. DESE has also released a guidance manual for heritage language programs, with recommendations for effective instruction.
The grants are being distributed across various school districts and charter schools, with amounts based on each district’s needs. The Proficiency Outcomes in World Languages grant provides $46,375 to Everett Public Schools and $19,993 to Hingham Public Schools. The English Learner Education Support grant awards $264,755 to Brockton Public Schools and $435,500 to Lynn Public Schools to support bilingual education and ESL teacher hubs (Mass.gov).
