Language proficiency-seal of biliteracy.

Plain English Breakdown

The official summary does not provide specific information about the number of students who may qualify for these seals annually.

Wyoming Seal of Biliteracy Act

This law establishes Wyoming seals of biliteracy and an advanced distinction seal for high school graduates who are proficient in English and one or more world languages, including American Sign Language.

What This Bill Does

• Establishes Wyoming seals of biliteracy and an advanced distinction seal for graduating high school students.
• Requires the State Superintendent to design these seals and set rules about their use on student transcripts.
• Allows school districts to confer these seals based on language proficiency.
• Needs school districts to report annually how many seals they issued during the prior year.

Who It Names or Affects

• High school students in Wyoming who are proficient in English and another world language.
• School districts that will issue the seals.
• The State Superintendent of Public Instruction who oversees this program.

Terms To Know

Seal of Biliteracy

An award given to high school graduates for being fluent in English and one or more world languages.

World Language

Any language other than English, including American Sign Language (ASL), classical languages, and indigenous languages.

Limits and Unknowns

• The law does not specify which assessments will be used to measure language proficiency.
• It is unclear how many students might qualify for the seals each year.
• There are no details on funding or costs associated with implementing this program.

Official Summary Text

Bill Summary - 22LSO-0313
Bill No.:

SF0078

Effective:

7/1/2022 12:00:00 AM

LSO No.:

22LSO-0313

Enrolled Act No.:

SEA No. 0047

Chapter No.:

100

Prime Sponsor:

Ellis

Catch Title:

Language proficiency-seal of biliteracy.

Subject:

K-12 public education - seals of biliteracy.

Summary/Major Elements:

This act requires the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to establish a Wyoming seal of biliteracy and an advanced distinction Wyoming seal of biliteracy for graduating high school students who are proficient in English and one (1) or more world languages.

The act authorizes the Superintendent to convene language educators to assist with the task of identifying appropriate assessments and proficiency levels necessary for conferral of the biliteracy seals.

This act authorizes school districts to confer seals of biliteracy upon graduating high school students and requires that school districts annually report the number of biliteracy seals issued during the prior school year to the Superintendent.

The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent.

While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.

Current Bill Text

22LSO-0313

ORIGINAL Senate

ENGROSSED
File No
.
SF0078

ENROLLED ACT NO. 47,

SENATE

SIXTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
2022 Budget Session

AN ACT relating to education; establishing Wyoming seals of biliteracy; creating state superintendent responsibilities; authorizing conferral of seals by school districts; requiring reporting; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1
.

W.S. 21
‑
2
‑
202(a) by creating a new paragraph (xl) and 21
‑
3
‑
111(a) by creating a new paragraph (xxiii) are amended to read:

21
‑
2
‑
202.

Duties of the state superintendent.

(a)

In addition to any other duties assigned by law, the state superintendent shall:

(xl)

Design and establish a Wyoming seal of biliteracy and an advanced distinction Wyoming seal of biliteracy for conferral by a school district to a graduating high school student who is proficient in English and one (1) or more world languages. The superintendent may establish a committee of language educators to identify or approve assessments and levels of proficiency on assessments as necessary to implement this paragraph.

The superintendent shall develop policies as necessary regarding the use and appearance of the Wyoming seal of biliteracy and an advanced distinction Wyoming seal of biliteracy on student transcripts. "World language" as used in this paragraph means any language other than English and includes American Sign Language, also known as ASL, classical languages and indigenous languages.

21
‑
3
‑
111.

Powers of boards of trustees.

(a)

The board of trustees in each school district within the state may:

(xxiii)

Confer a Wyoming seal of biliteracy or an advanced distinction Wyoming seal of biliteracy upon a graduating high school student in accordance with W.S. 21
‑
2
‑
202(a)(xl). Not later than October 15 of each year, each school district shall report to the state superintendent the number of seals of biliteracy issued during the prior school year, the languages the students learned and the type of seal conferred.

Section 2
.

This act is effective July 1, 2022
.

(END)

Speaker of the House

President of the Senate

Governor

TIME APPROVED: _________

DATE APPROVED: _________

I hereby certify that this act originated in the Senate.

Chief Clerk

1