Education Leaders to Host Virtual Press Briefing Ahead of May 14 Deadline to Close Federal Office Supporting English Learners
Education leaders and advocates are raising concerns about a proposal to close the federal Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA), which supports programs and resources for English learner students nationwide. A virtual press briefing hosted by the National English Learners Roundtable will highlight how the proposed closure could affect Title III funding, educator support and services for millions of emergent bilingual students.
Key Takeaways
- Education leaders are warning about the proposed closure of the Office of English Language Acquisition.
- OELA supports programs and resources for approximately 5.3 million English learner students nationwide.
- The office oversees Title III funding, the only federal funding stream dedicated to English learners.
- Nearly 1.1 million emergent bilingual students attend Texas public schools.
- Nearly 1 million emergent bilingual students attend California public schools.
- A national virtual press briefing will discuss how the proposed closure could affect students and schools.
Resource from the Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA), a nonprofit advancing education equity.
This week, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon will testify before the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce after a proposal to close the Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA) was announced. This office supports English learners and critical programs that help students succeed and access higher education. A national coalition IDRA sits on, the National English Learner Coalition submitted a letter to OELA when this proposal was released.
National English Learner Coalition to OELA
Far too often, English learners or emergent bilingual students struggle to succeed because the structures and systems do not fully support their power and bilingualism. Research shows that bilingual and dual language education programs are highly effective in helping emergent bilingual students learn English while also learning their core subjects.
OELA has supported the Title III program, the only federal funding stream dedicated to English learners. Public schools have a duty to protect and educate all students, support English mastery and develop and honor students’ home languages and cultures.
The closing of OELA would be detrimental to the millions of students across the country and the almost 1.1 million emergent bilingual students (one in four students) in Texas.
Press Briefing to Support English Learner Students!
We encourage you to join the press briefing being held by the National English Learners Roundtable with speakers from across the country, including IDRA’s Dr. Lizdelia Piñón, to speak about the importance of this office and its impact to millions of students in classrooms today.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026, 12:00 p.m. CT
Register for Wednesday’s press briefing!
Fast Facts on the Office of English Language Acquisition and Its Impact
- The proposed closure of OELA would affect the federal infrastructure supporting approximately 5.3 million English learners nationwide and the $890 million Title III English Language Acquisition program, the only federal funding stream dedicated specifically to English learners.
- OELA supports grant administration, educator preparation, technical assistance, data, research and resources that help schools meet their legal and educational obligations to students learning English.
- The office’s closing would be especially significant in states with large English learner populations, including California, which serves roughly 1 million current English learners and more than 900,000 former English learners and Texas, where nearly one in four public school students is emergent bilingual.
Good Things to Share
Ensuring Excellent Educational Opportunities for Emergent Bilingual Students
FAQs
What is the Office of English Language Acquisition?
The Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA) is a federal office that supports programs, research, educator preparation and technical assistance for English learner students.
Why are education advocates concerned about the proposed closure of OELA?
Advocates warn that closing OELA could weaken federal support systems for approximately 5.3 million English learner students and disrupt Title III programs and services.
What is Title III funding?
Title III is the only federal funding stream specifically dedicated to supporting English learner students and emergent bilingual students in public schools.
How many emergent bilingual students are enrolled in Texas schools?
Texas public schools serve nearly 1.1 million emergent bilingual students, representing about one in four students statewide.
How many emergent bilingual students are enrolled in California schools?
California serves roughly 1 million current English learners and more than 900,000 former English learners.
What will the virtual press briefing discuss?
Speakers will discuss the role of OELA, the impact of Title III funding and how the proposed closure could affect multilingual students, educators and schools.
Who is participating in the press briefing?
The briefing is hosted by the National English Learners Roundtable and includes speakers from across the country, including IDRA’s Dr. Lizdelia Piñón.
