Iowa schools with students in “English as a Second Language” classes would get a financial boost from the state under a bill that’s cleared the House Education Committee. The bill changes how state aid for E-S-L students is calculated so an additional one million dollars will be forwarded to schools with E-S-L programs. Republican Representative Betty Grundberg of Des Moines says it’s something the state should do. She says many schools are finding kids who need the extra help. Grundberg says it’s property tax relief.Grundberg says schools with E-S-L classes are forced to raise local property taxes to cover the costs. Grundberg says students in Des Moines schools speak 23 different languages. The bill is part of a deal designed to get more support for the bill which establishes English as the state’s official language.
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