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SJR0050 - 104th General Assembly

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SJ0050
LRB104 16130 LAW 29475 r
1
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

2

WHEREAS, In 2006, the federal Secretaries of State,
3
Education, and Defense, and the Director of National
4
Intelligence launched the National Security Language
5
Initiative to increase the number of Americans learning and
6
teaching foreign languages of critical importance to national
7
security and global competitiveness; and

8

WHEREAS, The National Security Language Initiative was
9
founded on the recognition that speaking another's language
10
promotes understanding and conveys respect for other countries
11
and cultures, strengthens the ability of the United States to
12
engage foreign peoples and governments, and provides others
13
with an opportunity to learn more about America and its
14
people; and

15

WHEREAS, In 2008, the federal government designated Arabic
16
as a "Critical Need Language"; and

17

WHEREAS, Arabic is a global language spoken by hundreds of
18
millions of people and is one of the six official languages of
19
the United Nations; and

20

WHEREAS, Arabic is central to cultural, economic, and
21
diplomatic engagement worldwide, yet remains far less

SJ0050
- 2 -
LRB104 16130 LAW 29475 r
1
available than other world languages in U.S. K-12 education;
2
and

3

WHEREAS, Expanding Arabic instruction helps build both
4
linguistic and intercultural competence, preparing students to
5
be more informed, productive, and compassionate global
6
citizens in a world where understanding and connection across
7
cultures is essential; and

8

WHEREAS, Over the past 15 years, global events, including
9
sustained U.S. diplomatic, economic, and security engagement
10
in the Middle East and North Africa, have only heightened the
11
strategic value of Arabic proficiency; and

12

WHEREAS, The U.S. federal government continues to reaffirm
13
Arabic as a critical language through programs such as the
14
National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y), the
15
Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program, and other
16
National Security Education Program grants, which provide
17
immersive and virtual opportunities for Arabic study; and

18

WHEREAS, The Department of Defense, through the Defense
19
Language and National Security Education Office (DLNSEO) and
20
the Language Flagship, continues to support pathways to
21
professional-level proficiency in Arabic and other critical
22
languages, reflecting awareness of enduring national security

SJ0050
- 3 -
LRB104 16130 LAW 29475 r
1
and diplomatic needs; and

2

WHEREAS, The 2017 National Security Strategy emphasized
3
the importance of cultural, religious, and language
4
understanding as vital tools for American statecraft,
5
underscoring the role of foreign languages in advancing U.S.
6
interests abroad; and

7

WHEREAS, Illinois was among the first states in the nation
8
to establish a State Seal of Biliteracy that included the
9
Arabic language, enacted by Public Act 98-0560 and codified in
10
Section 2-3.157 of the School Code, to recognize high school
11
graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in
12
English and one or more additional languages, thereby
13
encouraging language study and honoring multilingual
14
achievement; and

15

WHEREAS, The Illinois State Board of Education supports
16
world language instruction through its Arts and Foreign
17
Language Education Grant Program, and Illinois has enacted a
18
two-year world language high school graduation requirement
19
beginning with students who enter ninth grade in the 2028-2029
20
school year, thereby strengthening multilingual education
21
opportunities for Illinois students; and

22

WHEREAS, The Chicago Arabic Teachers Council, established

SJ0050
- 4 -
LRB104 16130 LAW 29475 r
1
more than a decade ago as a collaborative initiative among
2
educators, universities, and cultural institutions, has served
3
as a leading professional network and community of practice
4
for Arabic language teachers across Illinois and beyond,
5
promoting excellence in instruction, curriculum development,
6
and intercultural understanding in K-12 education; and

7

WHEREAS, The Chicago Arabic Teachers Council's
8
collaborations have historically included partnerships with
9
the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and DePaul
10
University, demonstrating broad support from higher education
11
leaders across the State for advancing Arabic language
12
education and teacher professional development; and

13

WHEREAS, Arabic is one of the world languages offered
14
within the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework, and the
15
inclusion of Arabic language instruction in IB programs within
16
Illinois public and private schools enhances students' access
17
to globally recognized credentials, strengthens college and
18
career readiness, and reflects the State's commitment to
19
preparing globally competent graduates; and

20

WHEREAS, Supporting the expansion of Arabic language
21
programs within the IB continuum, including the Primary Years,
22
Middle Years, and Diploma Programs, aligns with Illinois'
23
educational goals of multilingualism,

SJ0050
- 5 -
LRB104 16130 LAW 29475 r
1
international-mindedness, and academic excellence; and

2

WHEREAS, The 96th General Assembly unanimously adopted
3
Senate Joint Resolution 68 during the 2009-2010 legislative
4
session, encouraging school districts in Illinois to explore
5
the introduction of Arabic as a foreign language option in
6
their curriculum, making many of the same points that remain
7
true today, 15 years later; therefore, be it

8

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL
9
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF
10
REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that we encourage school
11
districts in the State of Illinois to explore the introduction
12
of Arabic as a foreign language option in their curriculum,
13
particularly through transparent and collaborative processes
14
that make full use of available state and federal resources;
15
and be it further

16

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
17
delivered to the school districts of the State of Illinois.

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