101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2019 and 2020
HB3237

 

Introduced , by Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
105 ILCS 5/2-3.159

    Amends the School Code. Provides that to demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency for eligibility to receive the State Seal of Biliteracy, the State Board of Education shall allow a student to provide his or her school district with evidence of completion of (i) an AP English Language and Composition Exam with a score of 4 or 5, (ii) an English language arts dual credit course with a final grade point average of 2.0 or higher, or (iii) transitional coursework in English language arts articulated in partnership with a community college as an ESSA College and Career Readiness Indicator with a final grade point average of 2.0 or higher. Effective immediately.


LRB101 07410 AXK 52450 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB3237LRB101 07410 AXK 52450 b

1    AN ACT concerning education.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The School Code is amended by changing Section
52-3.159 as follows:
 
6    (105 ILCS 5/2-3.159)
7    Sec. 2-3.159. State Seal of Biliteracy.
8    (a) In this Section, "foreign language" means any language
9other than English, including all modern languages, Latin,
10American Sign Language, Native American languages, and native
11languages.
12    (b) The State Seal of Biliteracy program is established to
13recognize public high school graduates who have attained a high
14level of proficiency in one or more languages in addition to
15English. The State Seal of Biliteracy shall be awarded
16beginning with the 2014-2015 school year. School district
17participation in this program is voluntary.
18    (c) The purposes of the State Seal of Biliteracy are as
19follows:
20        (1) To encourage pupils to study languages.
21        (2) To certify attainment of biliteracy.
22        (3) To provide employers with a method of identifying
23    people with language and biliteracy skills.

 

 

HB3237- 2 -LRB101 07410 AXK 52450 b

1        (4) To provide universities with an additional method
2    to recognize applicants seeking admission.
3        (5) To prepare pupils with 21st century skills.
4        (6) To recognize the value of foreign language and
5    native language instruction in public schools.
6        (7) To strengthen intergroup relationships, affirm the
7    value of diversity, and honor the multiple cultures and
8    languages of a community.
9    (d) The State Seal of Biliteracy certifies attainment of a
10high level of proficiency, sufficient for meaningful use in
11college and a career, by a graduating public high school pupil
12in one or more languages in addition to English.
13    (e) The State Board of Education shall adopt such rules as
14may be necessary to establish the criteria that pupils must
15achieve to earn a State Seal of Biliteracy, which may include
16without limitation attainment of units of credit in English
17language arts and languages other than English and passage of
18such assessments of foreign language proficiency as may be
19approved by the State Board of Education for this purpose.
20These rules shall ensure that the criteria that pupils must
21achieve to earn a State Seal of Biliteracy meet the course
22credit criteria established under subsection (i) of this
23Section.
24    (e-5) To demonstrate sufficient English language
25proficiency for eligibility to receive a State Seal of
26Biliteracy under this Section, the State Board of Education

 

 

HB3237- 3 -LRB101 07410 AXK 52450 b

1shall allow a pupil to provide his or her school district with
2evidence of completion of any of the following:
3        (1) An AP (Advanced Placement) English Language and
4    Composition Exam with a score of 4 or 5.
5        (2) An English language arts dual credit course with a
6    final grade point average of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
7    or its equivalent as determined by the State Board of
8    Education.
9        (3) Transitional coursework in English language arts
10    articulated in partnership with a public community college
11    as an ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) College and Career
12    Readiness Indicator with a final grade point average of 2.0
13    or higher on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent as determined by
14    the State Board of Education.
15    (f) The State Board of Education shall do both of the
16following:
17        (1) Prepare and deliver to participating school
18    districts an appropriate mechanism for designating the
19    State Seal of Biliteracy on the diploma and transcript of
20    the pupil indicating that the pupil has been awarded a
21    State Seal of Biliteracy by the State Board of Education.
22        (2) Provide other information the State Board of
23    Education deems necessary for school districts to
24    successfully participate in the program.
25    (g) A school district that participates in the program
26under this Section shall do both of the following:

 

 

HB3237- 4 -LRB101 07410 AXK 52450 b

1        (1) Maintain appropriate records in order to identify
2    pupils who have earned a State Seal of Biliteracy.
3        (2) Make the appropriate designation on the diploma and
4    transcript of each pupil who earns a State Seal of
5    Biliteracy.
6    (h) No fee shall be charged to a pupil to receive the
7designation pursuant to this Section. Notwithstanding this
8prohibition, costs may be incurred by the pupil in
9demonstrating proficiency, including without limitation any
10assessments required under subsection (e) of this Section.
11    (i) For admissions purposes, each public university in this
12State shall accept the State Seal of Biliteracy as equivalent
13to 2 years of foreign language coursework taken during high
14school if a student's high school transcript indicates that he
15or she will be receiving or has received the State Seal of
16Biliteracy.
17    (j) Each public community college and public university in
18this State shall establish criteria to translate a State Seal
19of Biliteracy into course credit based on foreign language
20course equivalencies identified by the community college's or
21university's faculty and staff and, upon request from an
22enrolled student, the community college or university shall
23award foreign language course credit to a student who has
24received a State Seal of Biliteracy. Students enrolled in a
25public community college or public university who have received
26a State Seal of Biliteracy must request course credit for their

 

 

HB3237- 5 -LRB101 07410 AXK 52450 b

1seal within 3 academic years after graduating from high school.
2(Source: P.A. 98-560, eff. 8-27-13; 98-756, eff. 7-16-14;
399-600, eff. 1-1-17.)
 
4    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
5becoming law.