(BOSTON) – This week, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) announced that Hingham Public Schools was one of 22 districts that will receive an FY22 Proficiency-based Outcomes in Languages Other than English Grant. This competitive grant program is a way that DESE supports World Language (WL), Heritage Language (HL), Dual Language (DL) and English Language Learner (ELL) programs and districts in their efforts to support or improve such programs in pre-K, elementary, and/or secondary schools.

Districts were able to apply for funding to fulfill either one or both of the following program goals:

  • Goal 1: Collect and analyze data pertaining to proficiency in languages other than English to improve World Languages, Heritage Languages, and English Learner programs.
  • Goal 2: Support educators to teach for proficiency in languages other than English by aligning to the proficiency-based standards and high-leverage teaching practices described in the 2021 Massachusetts World Languages Curriculum Framework.

The $16,272 in grant money secured by Hingham Public Schools will be dedicated to meeting the first goal.

“This funding from DESE will go a long way toward supporting Hingham’s students in their efforts to learn languages,” said State Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull). “In our increasingly connected world, the importance of high quality, data-driven language instruction cannot be understated.”

“Every student in our public school’s deserves the support they need to be successful,” said State Senator Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth). “This grant opportunity will allow Hingham to further understand where they can improve and implement data-focused strategies to achieve that goal.”

“As your State Representative, enhanced learning for all has always been my top priority,” said State Representative James Murphy (D-Weymouth). “It is imperative that students and their teachers be given every opportunity to strengthen their education as the youth are our future leaders. This critical state aid will go a long way in helping schools across the Commonwealth expand English literacy along with the instruction of different languages,” added Representative Murphy.

In addition to the Proficiency-based Outcomes in Languages Other than English Grants, DESE has recently awarded several other grants to the Commonwealth’s school districts, including grants for Accelerated Literacy Learning with High Quality Curriculum Materials (HQIM), Alternative English Learner Education Programs, Financial Literacy Planning and Implementation, Hate Crime Prevention, and Afterschool and Out-of-School Time Rebound (ASOST-R).