In a transformative step toward addressing the growing demand for bilingual educators, the James R. Watson and Judy Rodriguez Watson College of Education at CSUSB has provided close to $700,000 in tuition support for bilingual teacher candidates over the past four semesters through two groundbreaking grant initiatives: the Integrated Bilingual Authorization Program (IBAP) and the Excellence as Multilingual Innovators and Leaders in Education (ExMILE) program.

The IBAP grant (2023-25) provided $302,919, while the ExMILE grant (2024-25) contributed $391,564, with more years with the same funds directly supporting bilingual teacher candidates. Close to 60 bilingual teacher candidates benefited from these funds.

Both grants are led by Jordi Jordi Solsona-Puig, assistant professor of education and the principal Investigator, and focus on meeting the needs of bilingual teacher candidates and diversifying the teacher workforce. This commitment to equity and inclusion in education is reshaping opportunities for aspiring bilingual teachers, especially in the current political environment where DEI-related programs are vilified.

A graphic promoting the CSUSB Watson College of Education’s bilingual teacher preparation program

Watson College Dean Chinaka DomNwachukwu highlighted this. He said, “The Watson College of Education’s Bilingual Authorization has enhanced collaboration with neighboring districts in providing a new focus on multilingual education, providing professional development opportunities to build and enhance bilingual teachers’ skills and competencies in this field.”

The IBAP and ExMILE grants aim to address critical shortages in bilingual education by removing financial barriers for teacher candidates and equipping them with the skills needed to succeed in multilingual classrooms. These programs emphasize cultural proficiency, linguistic diversity and inclusive teaching practices, ensuring that bilingual students from all backgrounds can thrive. In addition to full-tuition coverage, these initiatives provided stipends, specialized events and work opportunities to support aspiring educators.

While the IBAP grant sunsets this spring semester, the ExMILE grant will continue to provide funds until 2029 if the current presidential administration does not cancel the funding.

“We are thrilled to support the next generation of bilingual educators,” said Solsona-Puig. “These grants not only provide financial assistance but also offer a robust professional development framework that prepares candidates to meet the diverse needs of their future students. This aspect is desperately needed in the Inland Empire, where more school districts are opting in for quality bilingual programs such as Dual Immersion”.

As part of this ongoing commitment, the Watson College of Education on March 8 will host its third Dual Immersion Symposium, a dynamic gathering of educators, leaders, and advocates dedicated to advancing dual language immersion programs and promoting equitable access to technology in education. Registration for the symposium is now open at the event webpage.

A lifeline for aspiring educators

In addition to tuition support, these grants help provide mentorship and access to specialized training programs designed to enhance their teaching practices.

Jordi Solsona-Puig, a Cal State San Bernardino assistant professor of education
Jordi Solsona-Puig, Cal State San Bernardino assistant professor of education.

Participants also benefit from a $4,800 stipend to support their involvement and engage in collaborative learning experiences that emphasize community engagement and advocacy for multilingual learners.

Luciana López, a former IBAP program participant and recent graduate, expressed her gratitude. “Without the support of the staff from this program, it would have been challenging to pursue this lifetime goal of mine,” she said. “Becoming a bilingual educator has been a joyful experience as the mentoring, training program and courses I've received have been engaging and excellent.”

Meeting a critical need

The demand for bilingual educators has grown exponentially as communities across the nation recognize the benefits of multilingual education. Research consistently shows that bilingual instruction improves academic outcomes, enhances cognitive development, and fosters cross-cultural understanding. Despite this, many schools struggle to find qualified bilingual teachers to meet the needs of their diverse student populations.

A report by the Learning Policy Institute estimated that over 400,000 teaching positions were either unfilled or filled by teachers not fully certified. This shortage is especially severe in bilingual education, where the need for qualified teachers consistently exceeds the available supply. In that same line, the California State University system, of which CSUSB is a part, produces approximately 50% of new bilingual teachers in California.

Solsona-Puig’s leadership in securing the IBAP and ExMILE grants reflects a proactive approach to addressing this gap. By investing in the education and development of bilingual teacher candidates, these programs are creating a pipeline of highly qualified educators ready to serve in dual-language and multilingual settings.

Looking ahead

Together, these two initiatives have brought nearly $4 million to the Watson College of Education. While the IBAP program will conclude this summer, the ExMILE program is expected to continue to expand through 2029, with a dual immersion certificate and master’s program on the horizon.

“Our goal is to empower bilingual teachers who will, in turn, empower their students. This work is about creating opportunities and breaking down barriers” Solsona-Puig emphasized. “We aspire to become the reference in the region when speaking about quality bilingual education.”

Visit the Multiple Subject Teaching Credential Bilingual Authorization Option webpage for more information.