Education officials are pushing to get more money for students who are in Enlgish learning programs.

The state says those students fell behind during the pandemic and are having trouble catching up.

The Department of Education is asking for $100 million to provide more resources for English learners and their teachers in the next two year budget. That’s nearly double the current budget of $55 million for the Non-English Speaking Program.

“We should look at those schools that are at the rock bottom and figure out how do we infuse more resources for them to catch up and create more of an equitable way,” state senator Eddie Melton said.

The Department of Education says there are more than 77,000 English learning students in Indiana, an increase of 30% from 2017.

Indiana Secretary of Education Katie Jenner says she is open to fresh ideas.

“We’re a humble crew. If there are things that are missing we’re always willing to attack that based on ideas that come from local communities.”