[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 158 (Thursday, September 29, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S5932]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SA 6415. Mr. SCHATZ (for himself, Mrs. Shaheen, Ms. Warren, and Mr.
Padilla) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA
5499 submitted by Mr. Reed (for himself and Mr. Inhofe) and intended to
be proposed to the bill H.R. 7900, to authorize appropriations for
fiscal year 2023 for military activities of the Department of Defense,
for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department
of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal
year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as
follows:
At the end of subtitle G of title X, insert the following:
SEC. 1077. BILITERACY EDUCATION SEAL AND TEACHING.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(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
subsection (b)(1) that is established or improved, and
carried out, with funds received under this section.
(4) Second language.--The term ``second language'' means
any language other than English (or a Native American
language, pursuant to subsection (b)(1)(B)), including
Braille, American Sign Language, or a Classical language.
(5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Education.
(b) Grants for State Seal of Biliteracy Programs.--
(1) Establishment of program.--
(A) In general.--From amounts made available under
paragraph (6), 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.
(B) Inclusion of native american languages.--
Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), 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.
(C) Duration.--A grant awarded under this subsection shall
be for a period of 2 years, and may be renewed at the
discretion of the Secretary.
(D) Renewal.--At the end of a grant term, a State that
receives a grant under this subsection may reapply for a
grant under this subsection.
(E) Limitations.--A State shall not receive more than 1
grant under this subsection at any time.
(F) Return of unspent grant funds.--Each State that
receives a grant under this subsection shall return any
unspent grant funds not later than 6 months after the date on
which the term for the grant ends.
(2) Grant application.--A State that desires a grant under
this subsection 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--
(A) 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;
(B) a detailed description of the State's plan--
(i) to ensure that English learners and former English
learners are included in the State Seal of Biliteracy
program;
(ii) 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
(iii) to reach students, including eligible students
described in paragraph (3)(B) and English learners, their
parents, and schools with information regarding the State
Seal of Biliteracy program;
(C) an assurance that a student who meets the requirements
under subparagraph (A) and paragraph (3) receives--
(i) a permanent seal or other marker on the student's
secondary school diploma or its equivalent; and
(ii) documentation of proficiency on the student's official
academic transcript; and
(D) an assurance that a student is not charged a fee for
providing information under paragraph (3)(A).
(3) Student participation in a seal of biliteracy
program.--
(A) 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 paragraph (2)(A).
(B) Student eligibility for participation.--A student who
gained proficiency in a second language outside of school may
apply under subparagraph (A) to participate in a Seal of
Biliteracy program.
(4) Use of funds.--Grant funds made available under this
subsection shall be used for--
(A) the administrative costs of establishing or improving,
and carrying out, a Seal of Biliteracy program that meets the
requirements of paragraph (2); and
(B) public outreach and education about the Seal of
Biliteracy program.
(5) Report.--Not later than 18 months after receiving a
grant under this subsection, 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.
(6) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $10,000,000
for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027.
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