New Jersey § 18a:7c-13

§ 18a:7c-13.

The Legislature finds and declares that: a. It is the intent of the Legislature to encourage excellence for all students, and

the Legislature wishes to publicly recognize students for exemplary achievements in

academic studies; b. The study of foreign languages in elementary and secondary schools should be encouraged

because it contributes to a student's cognitive development and to the national economy

and security; c. Proficiency in multiple languages is critical in enabling New Jersey to participate

more effectively in the current global political, social, and economic context, and

in expanding trade with other countries; d. The demand for employees to be fluent in more than one language is increasing in

New Jersey and throughout the world; e. The benefits to employers in having staff fluent in more than one language are

clear: access to expanding markets, allowing business owners to better serve their

customers' needs, and the sparking of new marketing ideas that better target a particular

audience and open a channel of communication with customers; and f. It is the intent of the Legislature to promote linguistic proficiency and cultural

literacy in one or more foreign languages in addition to English and to provide recognition

of the attainment of those needed and important skills through the establishment of

the State Seal of Biliteracy. The State Seal of Biliteracy would be affixed on the high school transcripts of

graduating students attaining proficiency in one or more foreign languages in addition

to English.