HF 3991

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 05/05/2016 08:57am

A bill for an act
relating to education; clarifying language proficiency requirements for students
studying Latin; amending Minnesota Statutes 2015 Supplement, section
120B.022, subdivision 1b.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2015 Supplement, 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