H.R. 9971
Advancing International and Foreign Language Education Act
Sponsor: Deborah K. Ross
2 cosponsors
Official summary
Written by the Congressional Research Service.
Advancing International and Foreign Language Education Act
This bill reauthorizes through FY2032 and revises international education programs. These programs provide grants to institutions of higher education and related entities to (1) enhance instruction in international and foreign language studies, and (2) promote international business skills and education.
First, the bill reauthorizes programs related to international and foreign language studies. Specifically, it extends (1) the Graduate and Undergraduate Language and Area Centers and Programs, which include the National Resource Centers program; (2) the Language Resource Centers; (3) the Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language Programs; and (4) the American Overseas Research Centers.
Next, the bill reauthorizes the Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships program. It also revises the program to permit graduate students to receive a stipend for the beginning, intermediate, or advanced study of a foreign language related to the student's area of specialization.
Further, the bill extends the Technological Innovation and Cooperation for Foreign Information Access program. It also modifies the program, such as by (1) revising the types of available grants, and (2) allowing the Department of Education to establish a national database on international and foreign language education.
Finally, the bill reauthorizes programs related to international business skills and education. Specifically, it reauthorizes the Centers for International Business Education program. It also reauthorizes and revises the Business and International Education program, including by (1) renaming the program; and (2) mandating certain program activities, such as incorporating specified programs and studies into professional education and technical training curricula.
Text of the bill
Section 631(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1132(a)) is amended—
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (4), (5) through (8), and (9) through (10), as paragraphs (3) through (5), (7) through (10), and (12) through (13), respectively;
(2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
(2) the term community college has the meaning given the term junior or community college in section 312(f);
(3) by inserting after paragraph (5), as redesignated by paragraph (1), the following:
(6) the term heritage student means a postsecondary student who—
(A) was born in the United States to immigrant parents or immigrated to the United States at an early age;
(B) is proficient in English, but raised in a family primarily speaking 1 or more languages of the country of origin; and
(C) maintains a close affinity with the family’s culture and language of origin;
; and
(4) by inserting after paragraph (10), as redesignated by paragraph (1), the following:
(11) the term minority-serving institution means an eligible institution under section 371(a);