Letter to Representative Rush Holt

July 18, 2007

Dear Representative Holt:

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we are writing to offer our support to the Foreign Language Education Partnership Program Act (H.R. 2111). We thank you for your leadership in offering this legislation, which provides incentives for developing and maintaining programs of articulated foreign language learning from K-12.

As you know, learning foreign languages exposes students to new cultures and ideas as well as improving their understanding of English. In fact, studies show that competence in another language increases academic skills and lets students reach a higher level of cognitive growth at an earlier age than those with no exposure to a foreign language.

We are pleased that your legislation will make a real difference in improving K-12 students' proficiency in foreign language. Not only will your bill increase the number of high school graduates with an advanced level of proficiency in at least one foreign language, but it will also help continue this trend by encouraging development of model partnerships between public school districts and institutions of higher education.

We thank you again for your leadership on this issue and looking forward to continuing to work with you in support of great public schools for every child.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy