2016 -- H 8178

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LC005889

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- BILITERACY SEAL

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Tanzi, Diaz, Maldonado, Fogarty, and Barros

     Date Introduced: May 06, 2016

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Title 16 of the General Laws entitled "EDUCATION" is hereby amended

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by adding thereto the following chapter:

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CHAPTER 22.2

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BILITERACY SEAL

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     16-22.2-1. Legislative intent. -- (a) It is the intent of the legislature to encourage

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excellence for all pupils, and the legislature wishes to publicly recognize pupils for exemplary

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achievements in academic studies.

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     (b) The study of languages other than English in elementary and secondary schools

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should be encouraged because it contributes to a pupil's cognitive development and to our

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national economy and security.

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     (c) Proficiency in multiple languages is critical in enabling Rhode Island to participate

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effectively in a global political, social, and economic context, and in expanding trade with other

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countries.

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     (d) The demand for employees to be fluent in more than one language is increasing both

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in Rhode Island and throughout the world.

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     (e) The benefits to employers in having staff fluent in more than one language are clear

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and include access to an expanded market, allowing business owners to better serve their

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customers' needs, and the sparking of new marketing ideas that better target a particular audience

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and open a channel of communication with customers.

 

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     (f) It is the intent of the legislature to promote linguistic proficiency and cultural literacy

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in one or more languages in addition to English and to provide recognition of the attainment of

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those needed and important skills through the establishment of the state seal of biliteracy. A state

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seal of biliteracy would be affixed on the high school diplomas and transcripts of graduating

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pupils attaining proficiency in one or more languages in addition to English.

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     16-22.2-2. State seal of biliteracy. -- (a) A state seal of biliteracy is established to

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recognize high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in listening,

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speaking, reading, and writing in one or more languages in addition to English. The state seal of

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biliteracy shall be awarded by the commissioner. School district participation in this program

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shall be voluntary.

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     (b) The purposes of the state seal of biliteracy are as follows:

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     (1) To encourage pupils to study languages;

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     (2) To certify attainment of biliteracy;

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     (3) To provide employers with a method of identifying people with language and

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biliteracy skills;

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     (4) To provide universities with an additional method to recognize applicants seeking

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admission;

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     (5) To prepare pupils with twenty-first century skills;

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     (6) To recognize the value of foreign language and native language instruction in public

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schools. For the purpose of this section "foreign language" means any language other than

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English including all modern languages, Latin, American sign language, native American

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languages and native languages; and

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     (7) To strengthen intergroup relationships, affirm the value of diversity, and honor the

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multiple cultures and languages of a community.

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     (b) The state seal of biliteracy certifies attainment of a high level of proficiency by a

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graduating high school pupil in one or more languages, in addition to English.

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     (c) The council on elementary and secondary education shall promulgate such regulations

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of the commissioner as may be necessary to establish the criteria that students must achieve to

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earn a state seal of biliteracy, which may include, but shall not be limited to, attainment of units

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of credit in English language arts and languages other than English, passage of state assessments

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in English language arts and language other than English, and passage of such additional

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assessments of foreign language proficiency as may be approved by the commissioner for this

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purpose.

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     (d) The commissioner shall do both of the following:

 

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     (1) Prepare and deliver to participating school districts an appropriate insignia to be

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affixed to the diploma and transcript of the pupil indicating that the pupil has been awarded a

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state seal of biliteracy by the commissioner.

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     (2) Provide other information they deem necessary for school districts to successfully

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participate in the program.

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     (e) A school district that participates in the program under this section shall do both of the

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following:

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     (1) Maintain appropriate records in order to identify pupils who have earned a state seal

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of biliteracy.

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     (2) Affix the appropriate insignia to the diploma and transcript of each pupil who earns a

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state seal of biliteracy.

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     (f) No fee shall be charged to a pupil pursuant to this section.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- BILITERACY SEAL

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     This act would establish a state seal of biliteracy to recognize high school graduates who

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have attained a high level of proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in one or

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more languages in addition to English.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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