HB1579 - Relating to establishing the Texas Seal of Biliteracy for public high school students.

      By: Guerra, Talarico, Plesa, Dutton, et al. H.B. No. 1579       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   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.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2025.