Public Act 098-0560
 
SB1221 EnrolledLRB098 07343 NHT 37406 b


  
    AN ACT concerning education.
  
 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
 
represented in the General Assembly:
  

  
 
    Section 1. Legislative intent.
 
    (a) It is the intent of the legislature to encourage 
excellence for all pupils, and the  legislature  wishes  to 
publicly   recognize  pupils  for  exemplary  achievements  in  
academic studies.
  
    (b) The study of  languages  other  than  English  in  elementary  
and  secondary  schools  should  be  encouraged  because  it 
contributes to a pupil's cognitive development and to our 
national economy and security.
  
    (c) Proficiency in multiple languages is critical in 
enabling this State to participate effectively in a global 
political, social,  and  economic
 context and in expanding trade 
with other countries.
  
    (d) The demand for employees to be fluent in more than one 
language is increasing both in this State and throughout the 
world.
  
    (e)  The benefits to employers in having staff fluent in 
more than one language are clear:  access to  an  expanded  market,  
allowing  business owners  to  better serve their customers' 
needs, and the sparking of new marketing ideas that better 
target a  particular  audience  and  open  a channel of 
communication with customers and businesses in other 
countries.
  
    (f)  It  is the intent of the legislature to promote 
linguistic proficiency and cultural literacy in one or more  
languages  in  addition  to English and to provide recognition of 
the attainment of those needed and important skills through the 
establishment of the State Seal of Biliteracy.  A  State  Seal  of  
Biliteracy would be designated on the high school diplomas and 
transcripts of graduating public school pupils attaining  
proficiency  in one or more languages in addition to English.

 
    Section 5. The School Code is amended  by adding Section 
2-3.157 as follows:
 
    (105 ILCS 5/2-3.157 new)
    Sec. 2-3.157. State Seal of Biliteracy.
    (a) In this Section, "foreign language" means any language 
other  than  English, including  all modern   languages,  Latin,  
American  Sign  Language,  Native  American languages, and native 
languages.
    (b)  The State Seal  of  Biliteracy program is  established  to  
recognize public high school graduates who have attained a high 
level of proficiency in one or more languages in addition to 
English. The State Seal of Biliteracy  shall  be  awarded  
beginning with the 2014-2015 school year. School district 
participation in this program is voluntary.
    (c) The purposes of the State Seal of Biliteracy are as 
follows:
        (1) To encourage pupils to study languages.
        (2) To certify attainment of biliteracy.
        (3) To provide employers with a  method  of  identifying  
    people  with language and biliteracy skills.
        (4)  To  provide  universities  with an additional method 
    to recognize applicants seeking admission.
        (5) To prepare pupils with 21st century skills.
        (6) To recognize the value of foreign  language  and  
    native  language instruction  in public schools.
        (7) To strengthen intergroup relationships, affirm the 
    value of diversity, and honor the multiple cultures and 
    languages of a community.
    (d)  The State Seal of Biliteracy certifies  attainment  of  a  
high
level  of  proficiency, sufficient for meaningful use in 
college and a career,  by a graduating public high school pupil 
in one or more
languages in addition to English.
    (e) The State Board of Education shall  adopt such rules as 
may be necessary to establish the criteria that pupils must  
achieve to earn a State Seal of Biliteracy, which may include 
without limitation attainment of units of credit in English 
language arts and languages other  than  English and passage of 
such assessments of foreign language proficiency  as  may  be 
approved by the State Board of Education for this purpose.
    (f)  The State Board of Education shall do both of the 
following:
        (1) Prepare and deliver to participating school 
    districts an appropriate  mechanism for designating the 
    State Seal of Biliteracy on the diploma and transcript of 
    the pupil indicating that the pupil has been awarded a 
    State Seal of Biliteracy by the State Board of Education.
        (2) Provide other information the State Board of 
    Education  deems  necessary  for  school districts to 
    successfully participate in the program.
    (g)  A  school  district  that  participates  in the program 
under this
 Section shall do both of the following:
        (1) Maintain appropriate records in order to identify 
    pupils who have earned a State Seal of Biliteracy.
        (2)  Make  the  appropriate designation on the diploma and 
    transcript of each pupil who earns a State Seal of 
    Biliteracy.
    (h)  No fee shall be charged to a pupil to receive the 
designation pursuant to this Section. Notwithstanding this 
prohibition, costs may be incurred by the pupil in 
demonstrating proficiency, including without limitation any 
assessments required under subsection (e) of this Section.
 
 
    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1, 
2013.