TITLE: Relating to establishing the Texas Seal of Biliteracy for public high school students.

SUMMARY: Relating to establishing the Texas Seal of Biliteracy for public high school students.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to establishing the Texas Seal of Biliteracy for public high school students. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 28, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 28.028 to read as follows: Sec. 28.028. TEXAS SEAL OF BILITERACY. (a) In this section, "seal" means the Texas Seal of Biliteracy established under Subsection (b). (b) The agency shall establish a seal to recognize high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in comprehending, speaking, reading, and writing in both English and a language other than English. (c) The agency, in consultation with appropriate stakeholders, shall: (1) determine minimum requirements for earning the seal, which: (A) must be sufficiently rigorous to indicate to an employer or postsecondary institution that a student who has earned the seal is biliterate; (B) may include completion of a project, activity, or portfolio; and (C) may not condition receipt of the seal on an examination created for that purpose; and (2) prepare and deliver to each school district an insignia that can be affixed or stamped on the diploma of and adopt a designation to be included on the transcript of a student who has satisfied requirements for earning the seal. (d) Each school district shall: (1) maintain appropriate records to identify students who have earned the seal; and (2) for each student who has satisfied requirements for earning the seal: (A) affix the seal's insignia to the student's diploma; and (B) include in the student's transcript that the student earned the seal. (e) The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to administer this section. SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026 school year. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.