Bill Text: VA SJR24 | 2018 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending the Virginia Dual Language Educators Network.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2018-01-19 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ24ER) [SJR24 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2018-SJR24-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, the Virginia Dual Language Educators Network is working with nine school systems throughout the Commonwealth to support multilingual programs and ensure that students receive the fullest possible education; and
WHEREAS, founded in 2016, the Virginia Dual Language Educators Network facilitates communication between dual language teachers, school administrators, university professors, public officials, and educational resource providers; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Dual Language Educators Network collaborates with the Albemarle, Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Harrisonburg, Manassas, Newport News, Virginia Beach, and Winchester public school systems; dual language programs in these schools have proven popular with parents and effective in closing the achievement gap for English learners; and
WHEREAS, dual language programs integrate native English speakers and language-minority students for academic instruction, creating an additive bilingual learning environment in which high academic achievement is promoted along with cross-cultural awareness; and
WHEREAS, international issues and events frequently affect the daily lives of the citizens of the Commonwealth, and economic competitiveness is enhanced when citizens are conversant in both English and at least one other language; and
WHEREAS, dual language education will help the future leaders of Virginia capitalize on the Commonwealth's cultural richness and growing diversity to strengthen its place in a global economy; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Dual Language Educators Network has ably met the challenges of growing and sustaining dual language programs and strives to make the Commonwealth a national model for dual language learning; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Virginia Dual Language Educators Network for its work to ensure that students throughout the Commonwealth can enjoy the benefits of learning another language; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Jeremy J. Aldrich, president of the Virginia Dual Language Educators Network, as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the organization's commitment to innovative education.
