Second Language Educational Program for High School Students
Summary
HB1028 creates a new diploma endorsement for bilingualism and updates Colorado’s existing seal of biliteracy program for graduating high school students. The bill allows a local education provider to grant a biliteracy endorsement to students who demonstrate proficiency in English and one or more world languages through specified coursework, assessments, or other approved evidence. It also adds a separate bilingualism endorsement focused on oral proficiency in English and another world language.
The bill is designed to expand access to these endorsements by allowing students in districts that do not offer biliteracy or bilingualism programs to obtain the endorsement through department-certified approved entities, such as higher education institutions or educational nonprofits. It directs the Colorado Department of Education to certify those entities and establish uniform educational requirements, and it permits approved entities to charge a fee that must be paid by the student’s local education provider.
Impact
HB1028 would amend Colorado Revised Statutes section 22-7-1009.5 governing diploma endorsements for biliteracy and bilingualism. It broadens the ways students can qualify, adds a new bilingualism endorsement, and creates a statewide pathway for students in districts without local programs to access endorsements through approved outside entities. The bill also shifts administrative responsibility to the Department of Education to certify entities and set standards, and it requires local education providers to cover any approved-entity fee for students who use that pathway.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have generally favorable support, with strong committee and floor votes in both chambers and a Senate Education recommendation for the consent calendar. The legislative declaration frames the measure as an equity and access update intended to modernize the seal of biliteracy and better serve multilingual students, especially in rural or smaller districts. The broad support suggests the concept is viewed positively as a student opportunity and workforce-readiness measure.
Contention
The main points of contention appear to center on implementation details rather than the overall goal. Potential concerns include the added administrative role for the Department of Education, the need to certify outside entities, and the requirement that local education providers pay fees charged by approved entities. There may also be debate over whether the bill’s alternative pathways preserve rigorous standards while expanding access, particularly for districts that do not currently offer biliteracy programming.