S.Amdt. 6415

1. Adds SEC. 1077. BILITERACY EDUCATION SEAL AND TEACHING at the end of subtitle G of title X

   Adds a section

   In S.Amdt. 5499 as proposed

   (2) as a recognition of Senator Inhofe's long history of engaging with, and advocating for, Africa, the Department of Defense Africa Center for Strategic Studies should be renamed the James M. Inhofe Center for Africa Strategic Studies.

   Inserted: SEC. 1077. BILITERACY EDUCATION SEAL AND TEACHING.

   Inserted: (a) Definitions.--In this section:

   Inserted: (1) ESEA definitions.--The terms "English learner", "secondary school", and "State" have the meanings given those terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).

   Inserted: (2) Native american languages.--The term "Native American languages" has the meaning given the term in section 103 of the Native American Languages Act (25 U.S.C. 2902).

   Inserted: (3) Seal of biliteracy program.--The term "Seal of Biliteracy program" means any program described in subsection (b)(1) that is established or improved, and carried out, with funds received under this section.

   Inserted: (4) Second language.--The term "second language" means any language other than English (or a Native American language, pursuant to subsection (b)(1)(B)), including Braille, American Sign Language, or a Classical language.

   Inserted: (5) Secretary.--The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Education.

   Inserted: (b) Grants for State Seal of Biliteracy Programs.--

   Inserted: (1) Establishment of program.--

   Inserted: (A) In general.--From amounts made available under paragraph (6), the Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to States to enable the States to establish or improve, and carry out, Seal of Biliteracy programs to recognize student proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in both English and a second language.

   Inserted: (B) Inclusion of native american languages.--Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), each Seal of Biliteracy program shall contain provisions allowing the use of Native American languages, including allowing speakers of any Native American language recognized as official by any American government, including any Tribal government, to use equivalent proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in the Native American language in lieu of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in English.

   Inserted: (C) Duration.--A grant awarded under this subsection shall be for a period of 2 years, and may be renewed at the discretion of the Secretary.

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   Inserted: (D) Renewal.--At the end of a grant term, a State that receives a grant under this subsection may reapply for a grant under this subsection.

   Inserted: (E) Limitations.--A State shall not receive more than 1 grant under this subsection at any time.

   Inserted: (F) Return of unspent grant funds.--Each State that receives a grant under this subsection shall return any unspent grant funds not later than 6 months after the date on which the term for the grant ends.

   Inserted: (2) Grant application.--A State that desires a grant under this subsection shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information and assurances as the Secretary may require, including--

   Inserted: (A) a description of the criteria a student must meet to demonstrate the proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in both languages necessary for the State Seal of Biliteracy program;

   Inserted: (B) a detailed description of the State's plan--

   Inserted: (i) to ensure that English learners and former English learners are included in the State Seal of Biliteracy program;

   Inserted: (ii) to ensure that--

   Inserted: (I) all languages, including Native American languages, can be tested for the State Seal of Biliteracy program; and

   Inserted: (II) Native American language speakers and learners are included in the State Seal of Biliteracy program, including students at tribally controlled schools and at schools funded by the Bureau of Indian Education; and

   Inserted: (iii) to reach students, including eligible students described in paragraph (3)(B) and English learners, their parents, and schools with information regarding the State Seal of Biliteracy program;

   Inserted: (C) an assurance that a student who meets the requirements under subparagraph (A) and paragraph (3) receives--

   Inserted: (i) a permanent seal or other marker on the student's secondary school diploma or its equivalent; and

   Inserted: (ii) documentation of proficiency on the student's official academic transcript; and

   Inserted: (D) an assurance that a student is not charged a fee for providing information under paragraph (3)(A).

   Inserted: (3) Student participation in a seal of biliteracy program.--

   Inserted: (A) In general.--To participate in a Seal of Biliteracy program, a student shall provide information to the State that serves the student at such time, in such manner, and including such information and assurances as the State may require, including an assurance that the student has met the criteria established by the State under paragraph (2)(A).

   Inserted: (B) Student eligibility for participation.--A student who gained proficiency in a second language outside of school may apply under subparagraph (A) to participate in a Seal of Biliteracy program.

   Inserted: (4) Use of funds.--Grant funds made available under this subsection shall be used for--

   Inserted: (A) the administrative costs of establishing or improving, and carrying out, a Seal of Biliteracy program that meets the requirements of paragraph (2); and

   Inserted: (B) public outreach and education about the Seal of Biliteracy program.

   Inserted: (5) Report.--Not later than 18 months after receiving a grant under this subsection, a State shall issue a report to the Secretary describing the implementation of the Seal of Biliteracy program for which the State received the grant.

   Inserted: (6) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027.

   Original wording

   At the end of subtitle G of title X, insert the following:

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As printed