AB 2303 Summary

• Modifies State Seal of Biliteracy requirements to accept any state-adopted, standards-aligned English language arts test administered in grade 11 at the proficient level or above, with flexibility for the 2014-15 school year to use the most recently available state-adopted test.

• Establishes the State Recognition Program of Multiple Pathways to Biliteracy, administered annually by the State Department of Education beginning January 1, 2016, to recognize school districts and county offices of education that provide multiple biliteracy programs and pathways for grades 1-12.

• Requires recognized school districts and county offices to demonstrate excellence through well-articulated biliteracy plans, qualified language teachers, professional development systems, diverse language programs, and absence of English learner compliance violations.

• Identifies ten types of biliteracy programs that can count toward recognition, including FLEX, FLES, transitional bilingual, developmental bilingual, immersion, two-way immersion, native speakers courses, heritage language, world language classes, and study abroad programs.

• Implementation of the State Recognition Program is contingent on availability of state and federal funding from the State Department of Education.