HB 1877 — An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in terms and courses of study, providing for Pennsylvania Seal of Biliteracy.

PRINTER'S NO.   2334

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 1877
                                               Session of
                                                 2025

     INTRODUCED BY D'ORSIE, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, RIVERA, VENKAT, KHAN,
        WAXMAN, CUTLER, HILL-EVANS, GUZMAN, ZIMMERMAN, ANDERSON AND
        GREEN, SEPTEMBER 23, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, SEPTEMBER 25, 2025


                                    AN ACT
 1   Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
 2      act relating to the public school system, including certain
 3      provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
 4      schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
 5      laws relating thereto," in terms and courses of study,
 6      providing for Pennsylvania Seal of Biliteracy.
 7      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 8   hereby enacts as follows:
 9      Section 1.    The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
10   as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a
11   section to read:
12      Section 1511.2.    Pennsylvania Seal of Biliteracy.--(a)
13   Notwithstanding section 2604-B(b)(2)(v), 22 Pa. Code § 4.24
14   (relating to high school graduation requirements), 4.51
15   (relating to State assessment system) or 4.51c (relating to
16   project-based assessment) or any law to the contrary, the
17   Department of Education, beginning with the 2026-2027 school
18   year, shall establish criteria for awarding the Pennsylvania
19   Seal of Biliteracy to any student who demonstrates proficiency
 1   in English and at least one other foreign language on approved
 2   diplomas. To qualify for the Pennsylvania Seal of Biliteracy, a
 3   student must:
 4      (1)   Complete all requirements to earn a high school diploma.
 5      (2)   Meet any English proficiency criteria established by the
 6   Department of Education.
 7      (3)   Meet any foreign language proficiency criteria
 8   established by the Department of Education.
 9      (b)   By August 31 of the year following the establishment of
10   criteria for awarding the Pennsylvania Seal of Biliteracy under
11   subsection (a) and each August 31 thereafter, the State Board of
12   Education shall issue a report on the efficacy of the seal, rate
13   of completion among graduating students and recommendations for
14   improvement, including proposed legislation, to the chairperson
15   and minority chairperson of the Education Committee of the
16   Senate and the chairperson and minority chairperson of the
17   Education Committee of the House of Representatives.
18      Section 2.   This act shall take effect immediately.




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