CALL Act to be proposed in support of higher ed. in 2024

MARYLAND – When the Maryland General Assembly meets in 2024, changes could be made to education across the state. “We want to make our higher education institutions a place where people want to come,” said Delegate Jared Solomon.

Legislators are pushing for the CALL Act, the Credit for All Language Learning Act. The measure is set to be proposed in the 2024 Maryland General Assembly.

“A lot of students then take their associates and transfer to a four-year institution and we want to make sure that every credit they received at a community college is transferable and allows them to transfer and theoretically as a junior with 60 credits at a four-year institution in the state,” Del. Solomon said.

If this legislation passes, students will be able to transfer their English learning classes for credit; something local universities say could be useful for a student’s future.

“It helps sensitize students to world cultures, as well as increases awareness about their own culture. It’s used throughout the business world and in the academic world across borders as a way of communicating the importance of learning English is still relevant,” said Dr. Phillip Broussard, Activity Director Foreign Language Instructional Center for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

Bill sponsor, Del. Solomon, says the CALL Act is set out to level the playing field. “It’s a fairness issue. They’re learning the exact same content and in some instances more than you and I would be learning a foreign language second. It’s also about making sure our institutions of higher learning are accessible to everybody,” said he said.

This legislation is set to be presented this coming January. When it’s done you can find it on the Maryland General Assembly’s website.