ND SB2294

Superintendent of public instruction shall develop and administer a seal of biliteracy program to recognize high school seniors who achieve proficiency in one or more languages in addition to English.

School districts must notify all students entering middle or high school of the opportunity to earn the seal of biliteracy award.

Eligible students must demonstrate at least intermediate mid-level or advanced low-level functional proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in one or more languages besides English on assessments aligned with American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages proficiency guidelines.

Students receive a silver seal for intermediate mid-level proficiency or a gold seal for advanced low-level proficiency; superintendent awards a signed certificate and the seal notation appears on the student's high school transcript.

Students bear the costs of proficiency assessments; school districts may exempt students with documented physical, cognitive, or learning disabilities from demonstrating proficiency in one or more communication modes; American Sign Language qualifies as a language other than English.