HB1660, the Biliteracy Education Seal and Teaching Act (BEST Act), would create a federal grant program for states to establish, improve, and operate Seal of Biliteracy programs and related early language programs. The bill is designed to recognize students who demonstrate high-level proficiency in English and a second language, with proficiency generally shown through speaking and writing and optionally through reading and listening as well.
The bill requires state programs receiving grants to set clear proficiency criteria, include English learners and former English learners, and provide equitable access for students with disabilities. It also directs states to ensure that all languages can be tested for the program, explicitly including Native American languages and American Sign Language, and allows Native American language proficiency to substitute for English proficiency in certain cases. Students who gain language proficiency outside of school may also participate through their state of residence.
The bill would amend state-level implementation of Seal of Biliteracy programs by tying them to federal funding and minimum program requirements. Grant funds could be used for administration, outreach, educator professional development, and subsidizing testing for low-income students. States would have to report on implementation, and the bill authorizes $10 million annually from fiscal years 2025 through 2029.
The overall sentiment reflected in the bill text is strongly supportive of multilingual education and recognition of bilingual achievement. The findings emphasize cultural and linguistic diversity, workforce and national security benefits, and improved educational outcomes associated with biliteracy. Because there were no committee transcripts or votes provided, there is no recorded opposition or debate in the available materials.
The main points of potential contention are likely to involve federal involvement in education policy, the administrative burden on states, and the requirement to accommodate a broad range of languages and accessibility needs. The bill also raises implementation questions for states that do not currently have testing infrastructure for less commonly tested languages, including Native American languages and sign language.
HB1660 would create a new federal grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Education to support state Seal of Biliteracy and early language initiatives. It would not directly rewrite existing state education codes, but it would condition federal funds on states adopting specified program features, including proficiency standards, outreach, accessibility accommodations, and recognition on diplomas or transcripts. It also expands the practical scope of state biliteracy programs by requiring inclusion of Native American languages, American Sign Language, and other languages that may not currently have standardized testing systems.
The bill’s tone and stated findings are broadly favorable toward multilingualism, bilingual education, and language preservation. It frames biliteracy as beneficial for student achievement, higher education access, employment, economic growth, and national security. With no committee discussion or vote record provided, there is no evidence of formal opposition in the available materials, and the bill appears to have been introduced as a supportive education initiative.
No specific contention is documented in the provided transcripts or voting history, because none were supplied. Based on the bill text, likely areas of debate would include whether the federal government should set detailed requirements for state recognition programs, how states would implement testing for all languages, and whether the bill’s accessibility and outreach mandates could create added administrative or fiscal burdens. Another possible point of discussion is the special treatment of Native American languages, including allowing them to serve as the base language for biliteracy recognition in certain circumstances.