Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of SJR0050

SJ0050 LRB104 16130 LAW 29475 r

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, In 2006, the federal Secretaries of State, Education, and Defense, and the Director of National Intelligence launched the National Security Language Initiative to increase the number of Americans learning and teaching foreign languages of critical importance to national security and global competitiveness; and

WHEREAS, The National Security Language Initiative was founded on the recognition that speaking another's language promotes understanding and conveys respect for other countries and cultures, strengthens the ability of the United States to engage foreign peoples and governments, and provides others with an opportunity to learn more about America and its people; and

WHEREAS, In 2008, the federal government designated Arabic as a "Critical Need Language"; and

WHEREAS, Arabic is a global language spoken by hundreds of millions of people and is one of the six official languages of the United Nations; and

WHEREAS, Arabic is central to cultural, economic, and diplomatic engagement worldwide, yet remains far less available than other world languages in U.S. K-12 education; and

WHEREAS, Expanding Arabic instruction helps build both linguistic and intercultural competence, preparing students to be more informed, productive, and compassionate global citizens in a world where understanding and connection across cultures is essential; and

WHEREAS, Over the past 15 years, global events, including sustained U.S. diplomatic, economic, and security engagement in the Middle East and North Africa, have only heightened the strategic value of Arabic proficiency; and

WHEREAS, The U.S. federal government continues to reaffirm Arabic as a critical language through programs such as the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y), the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program, and other National Security Education Program grants, which provide immersive and virtual opportunities for Arabic study; and

WHEREAS, The Department of Defense, through the Defense Language and National Security Education Office (DLNSEO) and the Language Flagship, continues to support pathways to professional-level proficiency in Arabic and other critical languages, reflecting awareness of enduring national security and diplomatic needs; and

WHEREAS, The 2017 National Security Strategy emphasized the importance of cultural, religious, and language understanding as vital tools for American statecraft, underscoring the role of foreign languages in advancing U.S. interests abroad; and

WHEREAS, Illinois was among the first states in the nation to establish a State Seal of Biliteracy that included the Arabic language, enacted by Public Act 98-0560 and codified in Section 2-3.157 of the School Code, to recognize high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in English and one or more additional languages, thereby encouraging language study and honoring multilingual achievement; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois State Board of Education supports world language instruction through its Arts and Foreign Language Education Grant Program, and Illinois has enacted a two-year world language high school graduation requirement beginning with students who enter ninth grade in the 2028-2029 school year, thereby strengthening multilingual education opportunities for Illinois students; and

WHEREAS, The Chicago Arabic Teachers Council, established more than a decade ago as a collaborative initiative among educators, universities, and cultural institutions, has served as a leading professional network and community of practice for Arabic language teachers across Illinois and beyond, promoting excellence in instruction, curriculum development, and intercultural understanding in K-12 education; and

WHEREAS, The Chicago Arabic Teachers Council's collaborations have historically included partnerships with the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and DePaul University, demonstrating broad support from higher education leaders across the State for advancing Arabic language education and teacher professional development; and

WHEREAS, Arabic is one of the world languages offered within the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework, and the inclusion of Arabic language instruction in IB programs within Illinois public and private schools enhances students' access to globally recognized credentials, strengthens college and career readiness, and reflects the State's commitment to preparing globally competent graduates; and

WHEREAS, Supporting the expansion of Arabic language programs within the IB continuum, including the Primary Years, Middle Years, and Diploma Programs, aligns with Illinois' educational goals of multilingualism, international-mindedness, and academic excellence; and

WHEREAS, The 96th General Assembly unanimously adopted Senate Joint Resolution 68 during the 2009-2010 legislative session, encouraging school districts in Illinois to explore the introduction of Arabic as a foreign language option in their curriculum, making many of the same points that remain true today, 15 years later; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that we encourage school districts in the State of Illinois to explore the introduction of Arabic as a foreign language option in their curriculum, particularly through transparent and collaborative processes that make full use of available state and federal resources; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the school districts of the State of Illinois.