    (105 ILCS 5/2-3.159)
    Sec. 2-3.159. State Seal of Biliteracy.

(a) In this Section, "foreign language" means any language other  than  English, including  all modern   languages,  Latin,  American  Sign  Language,  Native  American languages, and native languages.

(b)  The State Seal  of  Biliteracy program is  established  to  recognize public and non-public high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in one or more languages in addition to English. School district and non-public school participation in this program is voluntary.

    (c) The purposes of the State Seal of Biliteracy are as follows:
        (1) To encourage pupils to study languages.
        (2) To certify attainment of biliteracy.
        (3) To provide employers with a method of identifying people with language and

biliteracy skills.

(4) To provide universities with an additional method to recognize applicants

seeking admission.

(5) To prepare pupils with 21st century skills.
(6) To recognize the value of foreign language and native language instruction in

public and non-public schools.

(7) To strengthen intergroup relationships, affirm the value of diversity, and honor the

multiple cultures and languages of a community.

(d)  The State Seal of Biliteracy certifies  attainment  of  a  high
level  of  proficiency, sufficient for meaningful use in college and a career,  by a graduating public or non-public high school pupil in one or more
languages in addition to English.

(e) The State Board of Education shall  adopt such rules as may be necessary to establish the criteria that pupils must  achieve to earn a State Seal of Biliteracy, which may include without limitation attainment of units of credit in English language arts and languages other  than  English and passage of such assessments of foreign language proficiency  as  may  be approved by the State Board of Education for this purpose. These rules shall ensure that the criteria that pupils must achieve to earn a State Seal of Biliteracy meet the course credit criteria established under subsection (i) of this Section.

(e-5) To demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency for eligibility to receive a State Seal of Biliteracy under this Section, the State Board of Education shall allow a pupil to provide his or her school district with evidence of completion of any of the following, in accordance with guidelines for proficiency adopted by the State Board:

        (1) An AP (Advanced Placement) English Language and Composition Exam.
        (2) An English language arts dual credit course.
        (3) Transitional coursework in English language arts articulated in partnership with a

public community college as an ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) College and Career Readiness Indicator.

(f) The State Board of Education shall do both of the following:
(1) Prepare and deliver to participating school districts and non-public schools an

appropriate  mechanism for designating the State Seal of Biliteracy on the diploma and transcript of the pupil indicating that the pupil has been awarded a State Seal of Biliteracy by the State Board of Education.

(2) Provide other information the State Board of Education deems necessary for

school districts and non-public schools to successfully participate in the program.

(g)  A  school  district or non-public school  that  participates  in the program under this
 Section shall do both of the following:

(1) Maintain appropriate records in order to identify pupils who have earned a State

Seal of Biliteracy.

(2) Make the appropriate designation on the diploma and transcript of each pupil who

earns a State Seal of Biliteracy.

(h)  No fee shall be charged to a pupil to receive the designation pursuant to this Section. Notwithstanding this prohibition, costs may be incurred by the pupil in demonstrating proficiency, including without limitation any assessments required under subsection (e) of this Section.

(i) For admissions purposes, each public university in this State shall accept the State Seal of Biliteracy as equivalent to 2 years of foreign language coursework taken during high school if a student's high school transcript indicates that he or she will be receiving or has received the State Seal of Biliteracy.

(j) Each public community college and public university in this State shall establish criteria to translate a State Seal of Biliteracy into course credit based on foreign language course equivalencies identified by the community college's or university's faculty and staff and, upon request from an enrolled student, the community college or university shall award foreign language course credit to a student who has received a State Seal of Biliteracy. Students enrolled in a public community college or public university who have received a State Seal of Biliteracy must request course credit for their seal within 3 academic years after graduating from high school.

(Source: P.A. 101-222, eff. 1-1-20; 101-503, eff. 8-23-19; 102-558, eff. 8-20-21.)