PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Youth and Families.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Apr 23, 1998
English for the Children Act - Repeals the Bilingual Education Act (BEA). Terminates the Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages Affairs in the Department of Education. Repeals specified provisions of the Department of Education Organization Act relating to such Office. Directs the Secretary of Education, at the end of a specified transition period, to deposit in the Treasury any funds that have not been awarded or obligated for BEA grants. Requires completion of the most recent school year that commences after enactment of this Act before a BEA program is terminated. Authorizes the Secretary, during the one year period after such enactment, to assist local educational agencies in the transition of children enrolled in BEA programs to special alternative instructional programs that do not make use of the student's native language. Declares that this Act shall not: (1) preempt any State law; or (2) be construed as requiring that a State or local educational agency develop, implement, provide, or maintain a program of bilingual education. Voids any consent decree with either the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare or the Department of Education that requires a State, locality, or local educational agency to develop, implement, provide, or maintain any form of bilingual education.
People & committees
Rep. DeLay, Tom [R-TX-22] · R–TX
Legislative record
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Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Youth and Families.
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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