HF 281

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 01/17/2017 10:29am

A bill for an act
relating to education; clarifying language proficiency requirements for students
studying Latin; amending Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 120B.022, subdivision
1b.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 120B.022, subdivision 1b, is amended to read:

Subd. 1b.

State bilingual and multilingual seals.

(a) Consistent with efforts to strive
for the world's best workforce under sections 120B.11 and 124E.03, subdivision 2, paragraph
(i), and close the academic achievement and opportunity gap under sections 124D.861 and
124D.862, voluntary state bilingual and multilingual seals are established to recognize high
school students who demonstrate an advanced-low level or an intermediate high level of
functional proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing on either assessments
aligned with American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages' (ACTFL) proficiency
guidelines or on equivalent valid and reliable assessments in one or more languages in
addition to English. American Sign Language deleted text begin is deleted text end new text begin and Latin are each new text end a language other than
English for purposes of this subdivision and a world language for purposes of subdivision
1a. new text begin Notwithstanding other provisions of this subdivision or subdivision 1a, students
demonstrate the requisite level of proficiency in Latin through reading fluency, interpretive
reading, and an understanding of cultural perspectives.
new text end

(b) In addition to paragraph (a), to be eligible to receive a seal:

(1) students must satisfactorily complete all required English language arts credits; and

(2) students must demonstrate mastery of Minnesota's English language proficiency
standards.

(c) Consistent with this subdivision, a high school student who demonstrates an
intermediate high ACTFL level of functional proficiency in one language in addition to
English is eligible to receive the state bilingual gold seal. A high school student who
demonstrates an intermediate high ACTFL level of functional native proficiency in more
than one language in addition to English is eligible to receive the state multilingual gold
seal. A high school student who demonstrates an advanced-low ACTFL level of functional
proficiency in one language in addition to English is eligible to receive the state bilingual
platinum seal. A high school student who demonstrates an advanced-low ACTFL level of
functional proficiency in more than one language in addition to English is eligible to receive
the state multilingual platinum seal.

(d) School districts and charter schools may give students periodic opportunities to
demonstrate their level of proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in a
language in addition to English. Where valid and reliable assessments are unavailable, a
school district or charter school may rely on evaluators trained in assessing under ACTFL
proficiency guidelines to assess a student's level of foreign, heritage, or indigenous language
proficiency under this section. School districts and charter schools must maintain appropriate
records to identify high school students eligible to receive the state bilingual or multilingual
gold and platinum seals. The school district or charter school must affix the appropriate seal
to the transcript of each high school student who meets the requirements of this subdivision
and may affix the seal to the student's diploma. A school district or charter school must not
charge the high school student a fee for this seal.

(e) A school district or charter school may award elective course credits in world
languages to a student who demonstrates the requisite proficiency in a language other than
English under this section.

(f) A school district or charter school may award community service credit to a student
who demonstrates an intermediate high or advanced-low ACTFL level of functional
proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in a language other than English
and who participates in community service activities that are integrated into the curriculum,
involve the participation of teachers, and support biliteracy in the school or local community.

(g) The commissioner must list on the Web page those assessments that are aligned to
ACTFL proficiency guidelines.

(h) By August 1, 2015, the colleges and universities of the Minnesota State Colleges
and Universities system must establish criteria to translate the seals into college credits
based on the world language course equivalencies identified by the Minnesota State Colleges
and Universities faculty and staff and, upon request from an enrolled student, the Minnesota
State Colleges and Universities may award foreign language credits to a student who receives
a Minnesota World Language Proficiency Certificate under subdivision 1a. A student who
demonstrated the requisite level of language proficiency in grade 10, 11, or 12 to receive a
seal or certificate and is enrolled in a Minnesota State Colleges and Universities institution
must request college credits for the student's seal or proficiency certificate within three
academic years after graduating from high school. The University of Minnesota is encouraged
to award students foreign language academic credits consistent with this paragraph.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end