GRANTS - An application for bilingual, multicultural education funding was recently approved by the Grants/Cibola County School Board. In the case of local schools, the state program is geared to Spanish and Native American students, who may speak languages other than English at home.

To qualify for the state funds, the district must fulfill certain requirements:

• Develop and implement a Bilingual Multicultural Education Program ensuring that all students, including English language learners, become bilingual and bi-literate in English and the home language (Spanish or Native American languages), and succeed academically.

• First identify and serve the students most in need based on language proficiency and academic achievement; with a priority of serving students in grades K-3.

• Ensure that the programs described in the application for funds were developed in consultation with the local school board, school administrators, parents and, where appropriate, other relevant external groups.

• Ensure that the funds received for the program support the educational goals for language and academic proficiency in English and the home language.

• Develop a program which must align with and support the school's and the district's Educational Plan for Student Success.

• Provide parent/guardian notification prior to placement of the student in the Bilingual Multicultural Program within 30 days of the beginning of the school year.

• Establish a parent advisory committee, representative of the language and culture of the students, to assist, make recommendations and advise in the development, implementation and evaluation of the program.

• Ensure that personnel endorsed in Bilingual Education, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, or certified in Native American Language and Culture are delivering instruction.

• Develop and implement a professional development plan that involves all district personnel including teachers, instructional support staff, superintendent, program administrators, principals, STARS coordinators and financial officers. This plan will address Bilingual Education and ESL (English as a second language) principles and strategies.

• Ensure that students enrolled in the program participate in the New Mexico Standards-Based Assessment Program.

• Assess students annually until proficiency in both English and the home language is achieved.

• Develop and implement a written sequential curriculum that is aligned with the New Mexico Content Standards, Benchmarks and Performance Standards.

• Evaluate the program to determine effectiveness and needs for improvement.