Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) announced the reintroduction of the Biliteracy Education Seal and Teaching (BEST) Act, a bill that establishes a federal grant program at the U.S. Department of Education to recognize high-level student proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in both English and a second language. Under this program, states would be able to establish or improve their own Biliteracy Seal programs to award seals to K-12 students.
This recognition not only boosts students’ global workforce competitiveness but also helps employers, colleges, and universities identify candidates with valuable bilingual skills. The initiative is also vital for U.S. diplomacy, intelligence, and military readiness by ensuring a workforce proficient in critical languages.
“Being proficient in two or more languages can be a critical advantage in today’s globalized, competitive economy. By supporting Seal of Biliteracy programs, we can better equip students with essential language skills that enhance their future opportunities and strengthen our national security,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “I have seen firsthand the benefits of this program across California, especially in my district, where bilingualism is very prominent. Preparing our students with multilingualism will open doors to success in both their academic and professional futures.”
“Proficiency in more than one language is a skill of great importance to our nation’s economy and businesses,” said Amanda Seewald, Executive Director of the Joint National Committee for Languages and the National Council for Languages and International Studies (JNCL-NCLIS). “The BEST Act will help implement and scale Seal of Biliteracy programs that provide this credential to American students. We thank Congresswoman Brownley for her continued leadership on this legislation and for furthering language education nationwide.”
Background
California’s State Seal of Biliteracy program was first established in 2011 when legislation sponsored by then-Assemblywoman Brownley was signed into law. Since then, over 500,000 high school students have graduated with this seal in California. In the 2023-2024 school year, 490 districts in California participated in the program. Since then, all 50 states and the District of Columbia have established their own statewide Seal of Biliteracy programs.
The BEST Act is endorsed by the National Council for Languages and International Studies, National Education Association, California Language Teachers’ Association, and Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents.
Read the full text of the bill, here.
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Issues: 119th Congress, Education