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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to establishing the Texas State Seal of Bilingualism and |
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Biliteracy for recognition of high school graduates who attain a |
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high level of proficiency in both English and another language. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 28, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 28.0256 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 28.0256. TEXAS STATE SEAL OF BILINGUALISM AND |
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BILITERACY. (a) In this section, "seal" means the Texas State Seal |
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of Bilingualism and Biliteracy established under Subsection (b). |
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(b) The agency shall establish a seal to recognize high |
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school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in |
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comprehending, speaking, reading, and writing in both English and a |
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language other than English. |
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(c) The agency shall: |
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(1) determine minimum requirements for earning the |
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seal; and |
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(2) prepare and deliver to a participating school |
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district an insignia that can be affixed or stamped on the diploma |
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or transcript of a student who has satisfied requirements for |
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earning the seal. |
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(d) The board of trustees of a school district may choose |
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whether to offer the seal to students who satisfy the requirements |
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for earning the seal as determined by the agency. |
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(e) Each school district that offers the seal to an eligible |
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student shall: |
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(1) maintain appropriate records to identify students |
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who have earned the seal; and |
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(2) affix the seal's insignia to the diploma or |
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transcript of each student who has satisfied requirements for |
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earning the seal. |
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SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2013-2014 |
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school year. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |