SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A plan to expand access to dual language education programs has arrived on Gov. JB Pritzker's desk.
The legislation calls on the Illinois State Board of Education to adopt comprehensive guidance for school districts to establish or expand dual language education by Dec. 2026.
This bill also requires ISBE to establish an optional recognition pathway to recognize biliteracy for school districts to use before high school by July 1, 2027.
The change would include milestones for bilingual students in Pre-K, fifth grade and eighth grade to encourage early language development.
"These provisions stem from recommendations from the Illinois Advisory Council on Bilingual Education report," said Sen. Graciela Guzman (D-Chicago). "Most notably, are the no-cost recommendations that would allow us to build up dual lingual language in our state in a critical way."
The proposal also requires ISBE's Equity Journey Continuum to integrate dual language education into the broader framework of student learning to ensure it is considered an essential part of educational equity and excellence by July 1, 2029.
The Equity Journey Continuum could include provisions for dual language teachers, focusing on recruitment, professional development, and retention of bilingual educators as well.
House Bill 3026 passed out of the Senate on a 43-12 vote. It received a 77-35 vote in the House.Â
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