Sec. 2. Findings

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Congress finds the following: The people of the United States celebrate cultural and linguistic diversity and seek to prepare students with skills to succeed in the 21st century. It is fitting to commend the dedication of students who have achieved proficiency in multiple languages and to encourage their peers to follow in their footsteps. The congressionally requested Commission on Language Learning, in its 2017 report America's Languages: Investing in Language Education for the 21st Century , notes the pressing national need for more people of the United States who are proficient in two or more languages for national security, economic growth, and the fulfillment of the potential of all people of the United States.

The Commission on Language Learning also notes the extensive cognitive, educational, and employment benefits deriving from biliteracy. Biliteracy in general correlates with higher graduation rates, higher grade point averages, higher rates of matriculation into higher education, and higher earnings for all students, regardless of background. The study of America’s languages in elementary and secondary schools should be encouraged because it contributes to a student’s cognitive development and to the national economy and security.

Recognition of student achievement in language proficiency will enable institutions of higher education and employers to readily recognize and acknowledge the valuable expertise of bilingual students in academia and the workplace. States such as Utah, Arizona, Washington, and New Mexico have developed innovative testing methods for languages, including Native American languages, where no formal proficiency test currently exists. The use of proficiency in a government-recognized official Native American language as the base language for a Seal of Biliteracy, with proficiency in any additional partner language demonstrated through tested proficiency, has been successfully demonstrated in Hawaii.

Students in every State and every school should be able to benefit from a Seal of Biliteracy program.