SCHOOL REPORT : $513,978 Federal Grant Will be Used for Bilingual Education Program

The board accepted a $513,978 three-year federal grant to expand the district’s transitional bilingual program from the 28 schools it now serves. Called the Eastman Curriculum Design Project, the program groups pupils according to language proficiency for instruction in academic subjects, but mixes them with fluent English speakers for subjects such as music and art. The program has been successful in moving Spanish-speaking youngsters into English-only classes.

The board also:

* Accepted a $226,001 grant from RJR Nabisco Foundation’s Next Century Schools program to fund projects that will lead to reforms at John Marshall High School. The school was one of 15 selected from among 1,600 schools nationwide competing for the grants.

FUTURE FILE

* Budget hearing set: The board will hold a public hearing on its proposed budget cuts at 5 p.m. Thursday, May 30, in the Board Room at 450 N. Grand Ave. Speakers must sign up in advance.

Classroom Capsule

The Los Angeles Unified School District spends more than $2.5 billion of its $3 billion general fund on salaries and benefits for 45,000 employees. Another $1 billion in the overall district budget funds specific programs required by state or federal governments.