Roberson calls for ELL funding for Clark schools

State Sen. Michael Roberson, R-Henderson, says he will introduce legislation to pump $20 million more a year into English Language Learner programs in Clark County.

He said fully 52,000 students in the Clark County School District are not proficient in the English language.

"No rational person can think that this situation is acceptable," he said.

Roberson said his plan would provide funding for all 217 elementary schools in the county and include creation of 200 new teaching positions as well as 200 new instructional aide positions.

"For CCSD to succeed, Hispanic students must succeed," he said.

CCSD Superintendent Dwight Jones said he strongly supports the plan. He said other states such as Florida which have put money into language programs have seen real academic gains.

"This is an investment in our students that will pay off with big increases in our overall academic achievement," he said.

Roberson said while the initial focus is in Clark County where the largest number of English Language Learners live, he anticipates that the "Every Child Learns initiative will become a statewide program.