HJ0127 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0127 LRB099 20003 EFG 44406 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, English Learners make up 10.3% of Illinois' student population; and

WHEREAS, Over the past two decades, the number of children in the United States living with immigrant parents grew 60% and accounted for 25% of children under the age of 18; and

WHEREAS, Immigrant families who speak a home language other than English should be considered to be powerful assets in their children's education and partners with a shared responsibility for student learning and achievement; and

WHEREAS, Research consistently demonstrates that family engagement is one of the most significant factors in supporting student academic success; and

WHEREAS, The State should help ensure that each school district is able to meet its obligations to provide equitable access for students and families of all linguistic backgrounds; and

WHEREAS, There are currently no professional certification standards for foreign language interpreters in public schools; and

WHEREAS, Developing a training and certification program and establishing minimum standards for individuals providing foreign language interpretation services in schools will help students reach their full academic potential; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that the Bilingual Advisory Task Force, created by House Joint Resolution 36 of the 99th General Assembly, shall also study the feasibility of professional certification standards for foreign language educational interpreters in public schools; and be it further

RESOLVED, That should the Task Force deem certification standards feasible, those certification standards shall help ensure that interpreters serving school districts have demonstrated the core competencies of fluency, methodology, and ethics of interpretation and translation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That if the Task Force determines that certification standards are needed, it shall recommend procedures for school districts pertaining to when and how to access a language interpreter; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force may examine the process for certifying educational interpreters for students and parents who are deaf and may recommend a similar process for foreign language interpreters; and be it further

RESOLVED, That two additional members shall be added to the Task Force, to be appointed by the State Superintendent of Education, one of whom shall be the president of a community college, and one of whom shall be an assistant principal in the Chicago public schools; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force's deadline for submitting its findings and recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly is changed from December 15, 2015 to December 15, 2016, in order to give the Task Force adequate time to complete its work; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution shall be transmitted to the State Superintendent of Education.