[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3328 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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116th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 3328
To award grants to States to establish or improve, and carry out, Seal
of Biliteracy programs to recognize high-level student proficiency in
speaking, reading, and writing in both English and a second language.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 25, 2020
Mr. Schatz introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To award grants to States to establish or improve, and carry out, Seal
of Biliteracy programs to recognize high-level student proficiency in
speaking, reading, and writing in both English and a second language.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Biliteracy Education Seal and
Teaching Act'' or the ``BEST Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The people of the United States celebrate cultural and
linguistic diversity and seek to prepare students with skills
to succeed in the 21st century.
(2) It is fitting to commend the dedication of students who
have achieved proficiency in multiple languages and to
encourage their peers to follow in their footsteps.
(3) The congressionally requested Commission on Language
Learning, in its 2017 report ``America's Languages: Investing
in Language Education for the 21st Century'', notes the
pressing national need for more people of the United States who
are proficient in two or more languages for national security,
economic growth, and the fulfillment of the potential of all
people of the United States.
(4) The Commission on Language Learning also notes the
extensive cognitive, educational, and employment benefits
deriving from biliteracy.
(5) Biliteracy in general correlates with higher graduation
rates, higher grade point averages, higher rates of
matriculation into higher education, and higher earnings for
all students, regardless of background.
(6) The study of America's languages in elementary and
secondary schools should be encouraged because it contributes
to a student's cognitive development and to the national
economy and security.
(7) Recognition of student achievement in language
proficiency will enable institutions of higher education and
employers to readily recognize and acknowledge the valuable
expertise of bilingual students in academia and the workplace.
(8) States such as Utah, Arizona, Washington, and New
Mexico have developed innovative testing methods for languages,
including Native American languages, where no formal
proficiency test currently exists.
(9) The use of proficiency in a government-recognized
official Native American language as the base language for a
Seal of Biliteracy, with proficiency in any additional partner
language demonstrated through tested proficiency, has been
successfully demonstrated in Hawaii.
(10) Students in every State and every school should be
able to benefit from a Seal of Biliteracy program.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) ESEA definitions.--The terms ``English learner'',
``secondary school'', and ``State'' have the meanings given
those terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
(2) Native american languages.--The term ``Native American
languages'' has the meaning given the term in section 103 of
the Native American Languages Act (25 U.S.C. 2902).
(3) Seal of biliteracy program.--The term ``Seal of
Biliteracy program'' means any program described in section
4(a) that is established or improved, and carried out, with
funds received under this Act.
(4) Second language.--The term ``second language'' means
any language other than English (or a Native American language,
pursuant to section 4(a)(2)), including Braille, American Sign
Language, or a Classical language.
(5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Education.
SEC. 4. GRANTS FOR STATE SEAL OF BILITERACY PROGRAMS.
(a) Establishment of Program.--
(1) In general.--From amounts made available under
subsection (f), the Secretary shall award grants, on a
competitive basis, to States to enable the States to establish
or improve, and carry out, Seal of Biliteracy programs to
recognize student proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing
in both English and a second language.
(2) Inclusion of native american languages.--
Notwithstanding paragraph (1), each Seal of Biliteracy program
shall contain provisions allowing the use of Native American
languages, including allowing speakers of any Native American
language recognized as official by any American government,
including any Tribal government, to use equivalent proficiency
in speaking, reading, and writing in the Native American
language in lieu of proficiency in speaking, reading, and
writing in English.
(3) Duration.--A grant awarded under this section shall be
for a period of 2 years, and may be renewed at the discretion
of the Secretary.
(4) Renewal.--At the end of a grant term, a State that
receives a grant under this section may reapply for a grant
under this section.
(5) Limitations.--A State shall not receive more than 1
grant under this section at any time.
(6) Return of unspent grant funds.--Each State that
receives a grant under this section shall return any unspent
grant funds not later than 6 months after the date on which the
term for the grant ends.
(b) Grant Application.--A State that desires a grant under this
section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in
such manner, and containing such information and assurances as the
Secretary may require, including--
(1) a description of the criteria a student must meet to
demonstrate the proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing
in both languages necessary for the State Seal of Biliteracy
program;
(2) a detailed description of the State's plan--
(A) to ensure that English learners and former
English learners are included in the State Seal of
Biliteracy program;
(B) to ensure that--
(i) all languages, including Native
American languages, can be tested for the State
Seal of Biliteracy program; and
(ii) Native American language speakers and
learners are included in the State Seal of
Biliteracy program, including students at
tribally controlled schools and at schools
funded by the Bureau of Indian Education; and
(C) to reach students, including eligible students
described in subsection (c)(2) and English learners,
their parents, and schools with information regarding
the State Seal of Biliteracy program;
(3) an assurance that a student who meets the requirements
under paragraph (1) and subsection (c) receives--
(A) a permanent seal or other marker on the
student's secondary school diploma or its equivalent;
and
(B) documentation of proficiency on the student's
official academic transcript; and
(4) an assurance that a student is not charged a fee for
providing information under subsection (c)(1).
(c) Student Participation in a Seal of Biliteracy Program.--
(1) In general.--To participate in a Seal of Biliteracy
program, a student shall provide information to the State that
serves the student at such time, in such manner, and including
such information and assurances as the State may require,
including an assurance that the student has met the criteria
established by the State under subsection (b)(1).
(2) Student eligibility for participation.--A student who
gained proficiency in a second language outside of school may
apply under paragraph (1) to participate in a Seal of
Biliteracy program.
(d) Use of Funds.--Grant funds made available under this section
shall be used for--
(1) the administrative costs of establishing or improving,
and carrying out, a Seal of Biliteracy program that meets the
requirements of subsection (b); and
(2) public outreach and education about the Seal of
Biliteracy program.
(e) Report.--Not later than 18 months after receiving a grant under
this section, a State shall issue a report to the Secretary describing
the implementation of the Seal of Biliteracy program for which the
State received the grant.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2021 through 2025.
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