ON THE NATIONAL SCENE:

2006 is the Year to Discover Languages.

Feb 2006: President Bush releases statement of support for the Year to Discover Languages. Bush proposes additional funds for instruction in "critical languages." http://www.languagepolicy.org/

2005 is the Year of Languages: Celebrate, Educate, Communicate

Visit the Year of Languages website: http://www.yearoflanguages.org

Visit the VFLA website often for updates on state and local events and opportunities for advocacy

On May 19th, Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI) announced the introduction of S. 1089 -The National Language Coordination Act of 2005. The Act would create the position of a National Language Director and a National Foreign Language Coordination Council to develop and oversee the implementation of a foreign language strategy for the federal government. This Act calls for state involvement and encourages them to establish a state interagency council on foreign language coordination to work with the Coordination Council and state and local governments. The bill has been referred to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee for further action.

To read a copy of Senator Akaka's floor statement, please click
here: http://www.akaka.senate.gov/~akaka/speeches/2005519B46.html.

To read a copy of Senator Akaka's remarks to JNCL-NCLIS and the bill
text, please visit the JNCL-NCLIS website at http://www.languagepolicy.org.

UPDATE MAY 2005 UPDATE MAY 2005 UPDATE MAY 2005 UPDATE MAY 2005

Reauthorization of Higher Education and Title VI will Fund F.L. Education

On Monday, May 23, Senator Christopher Dodd introduced the
Dodd-Cochran International and Foreign Language Studies Act, S.1105, on
behalf of himself, Senator Cochran and Senators Levin, Kennedy and Akaka. This is
significant legislation of utmost importance to the language and
international studies communities. To read S.1105, visit the JNCL-NCLIS website, http://www.languagepolicy.org

Please contact Senators Jeffords and Leahy urging them
to co-sponsor and support S. 1105.

UPDATE MAY 2005 UPDATE MAY 2005 UPDATE MAY 2005 UPDATE MAY 2005 UPDATE MAY 2005

Your voices have been heard: Foreign language education was one of the top three issues commented upon in public hearings, letters and emails in response to the draft revision of the School Quality Standards.

A proposed rule for requiring early language learning in our schools will be discussed at their June 13-14 meeting.  Let them know that you support adoption of the rule. 

Contact information for individual board members can be found at: http://www.state.vt.us/educ/new/pdfdoc/board/members_05_0316.pdf
or for general distribution write to:  carolking@education.state.vt.us 
You can access the draft revision rules via this web address 
http://www.state.vt.us/educ/new/pdfdoc/board/rules/public_comment/sqs_version_a.pdf

The Vermont Legislature recognizes American Sign Language as a Foreign Language. Read the new law as it was passed in 2001.

American Sign Language

Vermont Statutes Title 16, Part 2, Chapter 23, Subchapter 1, § 911 adopted 2001 states: "American Sign Language is a visual-gestural system of communication used by many in the Deaf community living in the United States and Canada. It is a complete and complex language that has its own syntax, rhetoric and grammar which is used to convey information and meaning through signs made with the hands, arms, facial markers and other body movements. Any public or independent school may offer American Sign Language for foreign language credit."