Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Appropriations Subcommittee on Education

HB 2395

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Establishing a state seal of biliteracy for high school students.

Sponsors: Representatives Moscoso, Walsh, Ryu, Stonier, Reykdal, Gregerson and Freeman.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Establishes the Washington state Seal of Biliteracy (Seal) to recognize public high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in one or more world languages in addition to English.

  • Requires the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction to adopt rules to establish criteria for awarding the Seal.

  • Allows the standardized high school transcript to include a notation of whether the student has earned the Seal.

Hearing Date: 2/7/14

Staff: Jessica Harrell (786-7349) and Barbara McLain (786-7383).

Background:

The Superintendent of Public Instruction, in consultation with four-year institutions, the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges, and the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board, develops a standard high school transcript that must include a notation of whether the student has earned a certificate of individual achievement or a certificate of academic achievement.

States, including California and New York, have passed legislation authorizing schools or school districts to award a Seal of Biliteracy to recognize students who have studied and attained a proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation. This award is usually a notation that appears on the high school graduate's transcript or diploma, or both.

Summary of Bill:

The Washington state Seal of Biliteracy (Seal) is established to recognize public high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in one or more world languages in addition to English.

The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction must adopt rules to establish criteria for awarding the Seal, including requiring a student to demonstrate proficiency in English by meeting the state high school graduation requirements in English, and proficiency in other world languages through multiple methods.

School districts are encouraged to award the Seal to qualifying students, and participating districts place a notation on the student's diploma and transcript.

The standardized high school transcript may include a notation of whether the student has earned the Seal.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.