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JNCL-NCLIS Applauds Introduction of Revised Biliteracy Education and Seal Teaching (BEST) Act 

JNCL-NCLIS Applauds Introduction of Revised Biliteracy Education and Seal Teaching (BEST) Act

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 17, 2024 – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) introduced a revised version of the Biliteracy Education and Seal Teaching (BEST) Act (H.R. 7007, S. 3595). Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate. The revised language included in this bill would establish, within the U.S. Department of Education, a program to support state and local implementation of Seal of Biliteracy programs. This new BEST Act would also require state grantees to provide subgrants to school districts so that they can launch, expand and scale local Seal of Biliteracy programs. This legislation also includes new language that requires states to ensure: equitable access to Seal programs for students with disabilities; the inclusion of American Sign Language as well as Native American languages in state Seal of Biliteracy programs; and outreach about Seal programs to elementary school and middle grade students, including heritage language learners and English learners.

Seal of Biliteracy programs have already been adopted in 49 states and the D.C. and thousands of students have earned seals on their diplomas or transcripts denoting their proficiency in one world language in addition to English. To support this progress, JNCL-NCLIS has worked closely with Representative Brownley and Senator Schatz to ensure the BEST Act provides the resources needed to implement and expand these programs and provide equitable opportunities for all students to earn their seals.

“The revised BEST Act is a statement by its sponsors, Congresswoman Julia Brownley and Senator Brian Schatz, that multilingualism is an asset to be recognized for students and should be available equitably to all learners, especially English language learners and heritage learners,” said Amanda Seewald, Executive Director of the Joint National Committee for Languages and the National Council for Languages and International Studies (JNCL-NCLIS). “This bill’s emphasis on implementing Seal of Biliteracy programs broadly in school districts across the nation will help students acquire the skills they need for college, career, and life, and uplift the languages that are central to identity for so many. JNCL-NCLIS has been honored to work on this legislation with such dedicated legislators and look forward to its passage.”

“Being proficient in two or more languages can be a critical advantage in today’s globalized, competitive economy. By ensuring states establish and carry out a Seal of Biliteracy program, we can properly equip our students with language proficiency while also better safeguarding our future national security,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “I have seen first-hand the benefits of this program across the State of California and more specifically in my district, where many students are fluent in more than one language and bilingualism is very prominent. It is important for our schools to prepare our students with the 21st Century skills, like multilingualism, that will benefit them tremendously in their future academic and professional careers.”

“In today’s interconnected world, learning a second language not only helps students perform better in school, but also improves problem-solving skills and chances at professional success,” said Senator Schatz. “In Hawaiʻi, students have the unique opportunity to earn a Seal of Biliteracy for fluency in the Hawaiian language. Our bill will improve and expand this important program nationwide so that every student can be recognized for learning a second language.”

The official press release from Representative Brownley’s office can be accessed here and the bill text can be viewed here.

JNCL-NCLIS and its members will continue to work closely with members in both the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate to support this legislation through passage and implementation.

About JNCL-NCLIS:
Established in 1972, the Joint National Committee for Languages (JNCL) and the National Council for Languages and International Studies (NCLIS) unites a national network of leading organizations and businesses comprised of over 300,000 language professionals to advocate for equitable language learning opportunities. Our mission is to ensure that Americans have the opportunity to learn English and at least one other language.

World Language Advancement & Readiness Grants Program – Accepting Applications

The World Language Advancement and Readiness Grants Program (WLARP) is now accepting applications for FY24! The deadline to apply is March 29, 2024. This program defines an essential pathway for the growth of learning opportunities that empower students to become multilingual, globally prepared citizens. Your dedication and advocacy efforts over the past several years helped make this program a reality and continue its prioritization for funding!

On February 29, 2024, the Department of Defense Education Activity will host a technical assistance webinar. More information will be available at https://dodeagrants.org.

The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) seeks innovative applications for the establishment, improvement, or expansion of world language programs targeting elementary and secondary students in order to enable successful students, as they advance from elementary school through secondary school, to achieve an advanced level of proficiency in those languages. Additionally, all projects awarded under this funding opportunity must include a professional development component. Each individual grant award will be a minimum of $500,000.00 and may be up to a maximum of $2,000,000, for a period of up to five (5) years.

You can learn more about the FY23 grant recipients here.

JNCL NEWS

Dear Ronie,

 

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) introduced a revised version of the Biliteracy Education and Seal Teaching (BEST) Act. Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate. The revised language included in this bill would establish, within the U.S. Department of Education, a program to support state and local implementation of Seal of Biliteracy programs. This new BEST Act would also require state grantees to provide subgrants to school districts so that they can launch, expand and scale local Seal of Biliteracy programs. This legislation also includes new language that requires states to ensure: equitable access to Seal programs for students with disabilities; the inclusion of American Sign Language as well as Native American languages in state Seal of Biliteracy programs; and outreach about Seal programs to elementary school and middle grade students, including heritage language learners and English learners.

“The revised BEST Act is a statement by its sponsors, Congresswoman Julia Brownley and Senator Brian Schatz, that multilingualism is an asset to be recognized for students and should be available equitably to all learners, especially English language learners and heritage learners,” said Amanda Seewald, Executive Director of the Joint National Committee for Languages and the National Council for Languages and International Studies (JNCL-NCLIS). “This bill’s emphasis on implementing Seal of Biliteracy programs broadly in school districts across the nation will help students acquire the skills they need for college, career, and life, and uplift the languages that are central to identity for so many. JNCL-NCLIS has been honored to work on this legislation with such dedicated legislators and look forward to its passage.”

Click here to read more.

Congratulations to the MAFLA 2024 Teacher of the Year

We are thrilled to announce that Heidemarie Floerke, German Teacher at Boston Latin School, has been named MAFLA’s Teacher of the Year!

Heidemarie has over 20 years experience teaching German.  A native of Canada, Heidemarie grew up and attended school in Germany graduating with the German Abitur.  She moved back to Canada after high school and attended the University of Toronto earning a Masters Degree and BEd.  She moved to the US and taught in Melrose, Lexington and Boston as a German, ESL, Latin, Special Ed and English teacher.  She currently teaches German 3, German 4  and AP German Language at Boston Latin School.  Her students often remark on her creativity and energy as well as her high standards.   Heidemarie loves her job but especially loves bringing the German language and culture to her students in Boston Public Schools.  Join us in congratulating Heidemarie Floerke on this prestigious award!

Pictured left to right – Vilma Nasuti Bibeau, Heidemarie Floerke, Julie Calderone

The PEARLL Library and TELL Resources

The PEARLL Library of Practice highlights effective practices identified in the Teacher Effectiveness for Language Learning (TELL) Framework. In this video, French teacher, Stephanie Carbonneau, shares how she implements the TELL criterion PF3.b “The teacher provides opportunities for students to reflect on how well they meet daily learning targets and their own goals.”

https://lnkd.in/gCaVicUU

GOOD NEWS

JNCL-NCLIS is excited to announce the introduction of the World Language Education Assistance Program (World LEAP) Act! Over the past year, the JNCL-NCLIS team has been working closely with Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) to design this legislation with the support and insight of our advocates and member organizations. We are thrilled to see it move forward and are eager to support next steps.

The World LEAP Act will establish the first K-12 world language and dual language education grants program at the U.S. Department of Education in over 14 years. This important legislation prioritizes funding for the development of programs offered across all socioeconomic and demographic groups, builds opportunity for heritage and English language learners, requires a reservation of funds for professional development, and promotes career pathways that will generate economic success for our nation.

This legislation is at the heart of why JNCL exists as it is our purpose to nationalize the discussion of equitable access to language education as an essential facet of K-12 learning in the United States through advocacy that leads to legislation and policy. 

Thank you for your advocacy and support, and please join us in sharing the news and celebrating the introduction of the World LEAP Act!
The full press release is available here.

TAKE ACTION

ACTION ALERT

The World Language Advancement and Readiness Grant (WLARA) Program, which has already awarded more than $35 million in multi-year grants to twenty public school districts in thirteen different states, is facing a tough road to secure level funding next year. The fiscal year 2024 House Defense Appropriations bill would cut funding in half for WLARA – to $7.5 million from $15 million – while the Senate Appropriations Committee-approved version would reduce it by one-third – to $10 million. A cut of either of these magnitudes would have dramatic repercussions on language education and, more specifically, would lead to far fewer WLARA innovative program grants next year.

As a constituent with access to on-the-ground data about how important world language education is to our students and the nation, your voice matters! Take action now and urge Congress to provide WLARA with at least level funding next year.

Congress’s August recess presents a great opportunity to have your voice heard. Please take action today and help us ensure that America’s schools have an opportunity to establish or expand innovative world language programs.

Call for Nominations!

Level up your leadership with MAFLA by becoming a director on the board! Details and nominations (for a colleague or yourself) linked below and due June 15.

Place Nominations HERE

Engage your students with the theme of Animal Rights

Students are usually compassionate toward animals so the theme of Animal Rights would probably be very engaging for them.  Topics could include animal care and welfare. Students could investigate animal rescue efforts, animal issues such as extinction and endangerment as well as animal cruelty.  Students could learn of the different cultural perspectives on animals/pets and begin to see how animals considered in other cultures.  They will also have the opportunity to reflect on their own beliefs about animals and evaluate them.  Let us know how you  incorporate this theme into your curriculum!

Leslie Grahn has provided us with some great resources on Animal Rights.  Check them out here.