What was the purpose of the Bilingual Education Acts of 1968 and 1974?

The Bilingual Education Acts of 1968 and 1974 primarily aimed to provide funding for programs designed to educate Limited English Proficient (LEP) students. These acts recognized the importance of supporting bilingual education initiatives to help students transition effectively to English while maintaining their native language. This funding was critical in establishing bilingual and multilingual programs that help LEP students develop academically and socially in a school system where English is the dominant language.

By offering financial resources, the Bilingual Education Acts facilitated the development of educational strategies and curriculum that considered the linguistic and cultural backgrounds of students. This support was crucial for helping educators create environments where students could learn English without losing their cultural identity and language skills.