The Office English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement, and Academic Achievement for Limited English Proficient Students (formerly the Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages Affairs, OBEMLA) provides national leadership in promoting high quality education for the nation's population of English language learners (ELLs). Traditionally, this population has been known as limited English proficient students (LEPs). OELA's mission is to include various elements of school reform in programs designed to assist the language minority agenda. These include an emphasis on high academic standards, school accountability, professional development, family literacy, early reading, and partnerships between parents and the communities. OELA:

• administers grant programs that help every child learn English and content matter at high levels

• provides leadership ensuring that policy related decisions focus principally on the best interests of the ELL child

• collaborates with other federal, state and local programs to strengthen and coordinate services for ELLs and promote best practices.

• monitors funded programs and provides technical assistance to ensure that they focus on outcomes and accountability.

This page last modified— October 2, 2002 (hlm).