On the recordFebruary 26, 2015
As chairwoman of the California Assembly Education Committee, I sponsored legislation in 2012 that established a State seal in California, the first of its kind in our country, and since that time I have seen firsthand how successful this program has been. In 2014, over 24,000 high school seniors and 219 school districts across California participated in this program. They earned their seals for achievement in 40 different languages. When I introduced this language in the 113th Congress, it was supported by many education and civil rights organizations, including the National Education Association, Centro Latino for Literacy, California Association for Bilingual Education, Families in Schools, California School Board Association, Californians Together, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, and the Asian and Pacific Islanders California Action Network. I have crafted the amendment to give States the flexibility to shape their own seal programs while ensuring the programs guarantee equal access for all students. The BEST Act celebrates diversity and multiculturalism. It also recognizes that fluency in a second language helps students compete in an increasingly global marketplace. The seal also helps employers, colleges, and universities distinguish talented applicants with valuable skills. If you support encouraging bilingualism, this is an amendment to support. I yield back the balance of my time.
