H.R. 1660 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Education and Workforce, Feb 27, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryFunds programs recognizing bilingual student skills
This bill gives states money to create or improve programs that recognize when students become proficient in English and another language. The programs test students' speaking and writing abilities in both languages, and can also check reading and listening skills. Students who speak Native American languages can use their proficiency in those languages instead of English to earn the same recognition.
How it affects you
If you're a student working to master two languages, your school could use this funding to offer a seal or certificate showing your bilingual skills to colleges and employers. States and schools that want to build these recognition programs would receive federal grants to help launch or expand them.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Feb 27, 2025)
Biliteracy Education Seal and Teaching Act or the BEST Act
This bill directs the Department of Education to award renewable two-year grants to states to establish or improve, and carry out, Seal of Biliteracy programs and early language programs to recognize student proficiency in both English and a second language. Student proficiency shall be demonstrated through proficiency in speaking and writing in both languages and may also be demonstrated through reading and listening in both languages.
Further, these programs must allow speakers of any official Native American language to use equivalent proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in such language in lieu of proficiency in English.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 1660
A BILL
BEST Act
Sponsor: Rep. Julia Brownley (D-CA-26) · Introduced Feb 27, 2025 · Education · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Feb 27, 2025: “Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.”