SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois will soon expand access to dual language education programs thanks to a new state law.
The legislation calls for the State Board of Education to adopt comprehensive guidance for school districts to establish or expand dual language education by December 2026.
This law also requires ISBE to establish an optional recognition pathway to recognize bi literacy for school districts to use before high school by July 2027. The change will include milestones for bilingual students in Pre-K, fifth grade, and eighth grade to encourage early learning development.
"These provisions stem from recommendations from the Illinois Advisory 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 law calls on 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 2029.
The Equity Journey Continuum will 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 and received a 77-35 vote in the House. The new law will take effect January 1.
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