U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) on Wednesday introduced bipartisan legislation to provide more American students with access to quality, in-demand global education programs.
Specifically, the Advancing International and Foreign Language Education Act, S. 2255, would reauthorize Title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to improve and encourage innovation in international education.
“It’s important that our students are equipped with high-demand international skills and that our institutions of higher education can also successfully prepare students,” said Young, whose bill is cosponsored by U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI).
Sen. Young pointed out that Title VI enables colleges and universities in Indiana and across the country to develop and offer programs related to the Middle East, East and Central Asia, Russia, Eastern Europe, Africa and other areas of strategic U.S. interest that give American graduates competitive professional, technical, cross-cultural and language skills.
Additionally, Young said that the U.S. government partnerships forged with universities under S. 2255 will strengthen and preserve the nation’s global education infrastructure, and advance national security, spark global competition, and broaden access to underserved students.
“That is why we must increase investment in international and foreign language education. This legislation will allow Hoosier students to be economically competitive amidst workforce challenges in the 21st century,” the senator said.
The bill also would enable research on U.S. foreign language and international education capacity and ability to meet government, business and non-profit sector needs. And the proposal aims to foster new teaching methods and approaches.
Sen. Baldwin said the legislation would continue growing the U.S. international education system.
“This effort is working to satisfy the increasing demand for qualified workers throughout the world,” Baldwin said. “At the same time, we must continue to strengthen international programs like Title VI within Wisconsin’s educational institutions to foster innovation that enhances our local economies and small businesses.”
Higher education leaders endorsed the bill and noted its value across education sectors.
“Hoosiers throughout the state will reap the benefit of the programs supported in Sen. Young’s bill,” said Indiana University (IU) President Michael A. McRobbie.
For instance, organizations such as the Indiana National Guard, which relies on IU’s Title VI programming to train service members, and local K-12 school districts, which send teachers to language and training workshops sponsored by IU’s Title VI centers, “will be greatly helped by the senator’s legislation,” McRobbie said.
Guido Podesta, vice provost and dean of the international division at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, called S. 2255 “a forward-looking bill.”
Podesta said the bill “will harness proven strategies and spur innovation in the comprehensive international education system that produces graduates to meet our nation’s growing demand for global competence in the workforce.”
Young’s bill has been referred to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.