H.R. 1660 — BEST Act

This section states congressional findings on the benefits of biliteracy, including higher graduation rates, grade point averages, college matriculation, and earnings; the national need for multilingual proficiency to support security, economic growth, and cognitive development; and the value of Seal of Biliteracy programs, including innovative state testing methods for languages such as Native American languages.

This section defines terms for purposes of the Act as follows: (1) incorporates the meanings of elementary school, English learner, local educational agency, middle grades, secondary school, and State from section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801); (2) defines classical language as a no-longer-spoken language or one diverging from its classical form over time with an independent literary tradition and ancient literature (including Greek, Latin, Chinese, Arabic, and Sanskrit); (3) incorporates the meaning of Native American language from section 103 of the Native American Languages Act (25 U.S.C. 2902); (4) defines Seal of Biliteracy program as any program described in section 4(a) that is established or improved using funds under the Act; (5) defines second language as any language other than English (or a specified Native American language of proficiency under section 4(a)(2)) and including Braille, American Sign Language, or a classical language; and (6) defines Secretary as the Secretary of Education.

This section establishes a competitive grant program administered by the Secretary of Education, authorizing $10 million annually for FY2025 through FY2029, under which states receive two-year grants (renewable at the Secretary's discretion, with a limit of one grant per state at a time) to establish or improve Seal of Biliteracy programs and early language programs recognizing student proficiency in English and a second language via speaking and writing (optionally reading and listening). Such programs must accommodate Native American languages (including equivalency for speakers in lieu of English proficiency), American Sign Language, English learners, students with disabilities, heritage learners, and out-of-school language learners; require assurances of diploma seals or transcript notations without student fees; and include state plans for equitable access, outreach to elementary and middle school students, and inclusion of tribally controlled and Bureau of Indian Education-funded schools. Grant funds support program administration, public outreach, and subgrants to local educational agencies for language educator professional development and testing subsidies for low-income students, with states required to report implementation to the Secretary within 18 months and return unspent funds within six months of grant expiration.