Pennsylvania HB 1877: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in terms and courses of study, providing for Pennsylvania Seal of Biliteracy.

Bill Text

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 2334 PRINTER'S NO. 3292
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1877
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY D'ORSIE, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, RIVERA, VENKAT, KHAN,
WAXMAN, CUTLER, HILL-EVANS, GUZMAN, ZIMMERMAN, ANDERSON,
GREEN, MALAGARI AND COOPER, SEPTEMBER 23, 2025
AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, APRIL 28, 2026
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," in terms and courses of study,
providing for Pennsylvania Seal of Biliteracy.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a
section to read:
Section 1511.2. Pennsylvania Seal of Biliteracy.--(a)
Notwithstanding section 2604-B(b)(2)(v), 22 Pa. Code § 4.24
(relating to high school graduation requirements), 4.51
(relating to State assessment system) or 4.51c (relating to
project-based assessment) or any law to the contrary, the
Department of Education, beginning BEGINNING with the 2026-2027
school year, THE DEPARTMENT shall establish criteria for
awarding AND A TOOLKIT FOR SCHOOL ENTITIES TO AWARD A SEAL, TO
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BE KNOWN AS the Pennsylvania Seal of Biliteracy , to any student
GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL who demonstrates proficiency in
English and at least one other foreign WORLD language on
approved diplomas . To qualify for the Pennsylvania Seal of
Biliteracy SEAL , a student must:
(1) Complete all requirements to earn a high school diploma.
(2) Meet any English proficiency criteria established by the
Department of Education DEPARTMENT .
(3) Meet any foreign WORLD language proficiency criteria
established by the Department of Education DEPARTMENT .
(b) By August 31 of the year following the establishment of
criteria for awarding the Pennsylvania Seal of Biliteracy under
subsection (a) and each August 31 thereafter, the State Board of
Education shall issue a report on the efficacy of the seal, rate
of completion among graduating students and recommendations for
improvement, including proposed legislation, to the chairperson
and minority chairperson of the Education Committee of the
Senate and the chairperson and minority chairperson of the
Education Committee of the House of Representatives.
(B) BEGINNING WITH THE 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR, A SCHOOL
ENTITY THAT AWARDS THE SEAL SHALL:
(1) FOR A STUDENT WHO IS AWARDED THE SEAL, NOTE THE SEAL ON
THE STUDENT'S HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT ISSUED BY THE SCHOOL
ENTITY.
(2) BY OCTOBER 31, 2027, AND EACH OCTOBER 31 THEREAFTER,
REPORT THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE PRIOR
SCHOOL YEAR:
(I) THE NUMBER OF GRADUATING STUDENTS WHO WERE AWARDED THE
SEAL.
(II) THE NUMBER OF ENGLISH LEARNERS WHO WERE AWARDED THE
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SEAL.
(III) A LIST OF LANGUAGES FOR WHICH THE SEAL WAS AWARDED.
(IV) ANY OTHER INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
(C) BY DECEMBER 1, 2027, AND EACH DECEMBER 1 THEREAFTER, THE
DEPARTMENT SHALL ISSUE A REPORT ON THE EFFICACY OF THE SEAL TO
THE CHAIRPERSON AND MINORITY CHAIRPERSON OF THE EDUCATION
COMMITTEE OF THE SENATE AND THE CHAIRPERSON AND MINORITY
CHAIRPERSON OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES. THE REPORT SHALL INCLUDE INFORMATION COLLECTED
BY THE DEPARTMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBSECTION (B)(2).
(D) AS USED IN THIS SECTION, THE FOLLOWING WORDS AND PHRASES
SHALL HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN THIS SUBSECTION UNLESS
THE CONTEXT CLEARLY INDICATES OTHERWISE:
"DEPARTMENT." THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OF THE
COMMONWEALTH.
"SCHOOL ENTITY." A SCHOOL DISTRICT, INTERMEDIATE UNIT, AREA
CAREER AND TECHNICAL SCHOOL, CHARTER SCHOOL, CYBER CHARTER
SCHOOL OR REGIONAL CHARTER SCHOOL.
"SEAL." THE PENNSYLVANIA SEAL OF BILITERACY AUTHORIZED UNDER
THIS SECTION.
"WORLD LANGUAGE." AS DEFINED IN 22 PA. CODE § 4.25(D)
(RELATING TO LANGUAGES).
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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