A group of U.S. Senators, led by Alex Padilla, has formally opposed the Trump Administration's dissolution of the Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA) at the Department of Education.
- The senators argue that dissolving OELA weakens federal oversight and support for over five million English learner students. - They highlight that OELA provided critical resources, guidance, and grants for bilingual teacher preparation and dual-language programs.
- The letter raises concerns about the transfer of OELA's functions to the Department of Labor and workforce reductions. - The senators demand answers on how the Department will fulfill its legal obligations under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and Civil Rights Act.
The senators reaffirm their commitment to ensuring all students, regardless of home language, have access to high-quality education.