Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Education Committee

SB 6424

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: Senators Roach, McAuliffe, Litzow, Fain, Bailey, Mullet, Hasegawa and Tom.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Establishes the State of Washington 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 the 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: 2/24/14

Staff: Megan Wargacki (786-7194).

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 a 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 State of Washington 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 must place a notation on the student's diploma and transcript indicating the student has earned the Seal.

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.