(1) As used in this section, the term:

(a) “Biliteracy” means attainment of a high level of competency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in one or more foreign languages in addition to English, which is signified on a high school graduate’s diploma and transcript as either a Gold Seal of Biliteracy or a Silver Seal of Biliteracy.

(b) “Foreign language” means a language other than English and includes American Sign Language, classical languages, and indigenous languages.

(c) “Gold” means the highest level of competency certified by the Florida Seal of Biliteracy Program.

(d) “Silver” means the second-highest level of competency certified by the Florida Seal of Biliteracy Program.

(2) The Florida Seal of Biliteracy Program is established to recognize a high school graduate who has attained a high level of competency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in one or more foreign languages in addition to English. The Commissioner of Education shall award the Seal of Biliteracy upon graduation to a high school student who meets the qualifications in this section. The seal must differentiate between two levels of competency, designated as Gold and Silver, which must be at least as rigorous as is recommended in the biliteracy seal guidelines established by national organizations supporting foreign languages instruction.

(3) The purpose of the Florida Seal of Biliteracy Program is to:

(a) Encourage students to study foreign languages.

(b) Certify attainment of biliteracy.

(c) Provide employers with a method of identifying an individual with biliteracy skills who is seeking employment.

(d) Provide a postsecondary institution with a method of recognizing an applicant with biliteracy skills who is seeking admission to the postsecondary institution.

(e) Recognize and promote foreign language instruction in public schools.

(f) Affirm the value of diversity, honor multiple cultures and foreign languages, and strengthen the relationships between multiple cultures in a community.

(4) Beginning with the 2016-2017 school year, the Gold Seal of Biliteracy or the Silver Seal of Biliteracy must be awarded to a high school student who has earned a standard high school diploma and who:

(a) Has earned four foreign language course credits in the same foreign language with a cumulative 3.0 grade point average or higher on a 4.0 scale;

(b) Has achieved a qualifying score on a foreign language assessment; or

(c) Has satisfied alternative requirements as determined by the State Board of Education pursuant to subsection (8).

(5) The Commissioner of Education shall:

(a) Prepare and provide to each school district an appropriate insignia to be affixed to the student’s diploma indicating that the student has been awarded the Gold Seal of Biliteracy or the Silver Seal of Biliteracy.

(b) Provide information necessary for a school district to successfully implement the program.

(6) Each school district shall:

(a) Maintain appropriate records to identify a student who has met the requirements to receive the Gold Seal of Biliteracy or the Silver Seal of Biliteracy.

(b) Provide the Commissioner of Education with the number of students who have met the requirements to receive the Gold Seal of Biliteracy or the Silver Seal of Biliteracy.

(c) Affix the appropriate insignia to the student’s diploma and indicate on the student’s transcript that the student has earned the Gold Seal of Biliteracy or the Silver Seal of Biliteracy.

(7) A school district or the Department of Education may not charge a fee for the Gold Seal of Biliteracy or the Silver Seal of Biliteracy.

(8) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to implement this section. Such rules, at a minimum, must include:

(a) A process to confirm a student’s successful completion of the requirements in subsection (4).

(b) The assessments and corresponding passing scores required to earn the Gold Seal of Biliteracy or the Silver Seal of Biliteracy, which may not be lower than the passing scores on at least one of the following:

1. An International Baccalaureate examination in the foreign language;

2. An Advanced Placement examination in the foreign language;

3. An SAT Subject Test examination in the foreign language; or

4. An Advanced International Certificate of Education examination in the foreign language.

(c) Alternative requirements a student may satisfy to demonstrate equivalent competency in a foreign language, including requirements a student whose native language is not English may satisfy to demonstrate competency in his or her native language to earn the Gold Seal of Biliteracy or the Silver Seal of Biliteracy.

(d) A process to award foreign language course credits to a student who was not enrolled in a foreign language course or who did not complete the course but has demonstrated competency in a foreign language as provided in this subsection.

History.—s. 40, ch. 2016-237.