SB3070sam002 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Sen. Willie Preston

Filed: 5/7/2026

10400SB3070sam002 LRB104 18781 LNS 37550 a

AMENDMENT TO SENATE BILL 3070

AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend Senate Bill 3070, AS AMENDED, with reference to page and line numbers of Senate Amendment No. 1, on page 5, immediately below line 24, by inserting the following:

"(e-15) A school district may establish a counselor-guided process, with the consent of a student's parent or guardian, under which the student may be exempted from one or both years of the foreign language requirement under clause (i) of subsection (e-10). Any such exemption shall be considered only after the student receives individualized postsecondary-planning guidance aligned with the principles of educational equity, college and career readiness, and the whole-child approach, to ensure the student is not unintentionally excluded from certain future postsecondary opportunities.

The counselor-guided process must include, at a minimum, all of the following and shall be implemented in a manner that is consistent with guidance issued by the State Board of Education and that promotes equitable access, informed decision-making, and nondiscriminatory practices:

(1) A meeting between the student, the student's parent or guardian, and an appropriately licensed school counselor or other qualified school staff member designated by the district, during which the student's academic strengths, interests, postsecondary goals, and individual circumstances are meaningfully considered using a student-centered and culturally responsive approach.

(2) Written acknowledgment, which may be in an electronic form, from both the student and the student's parent or guardian, that the student and the student's parent or guardian understand the potential impact of exempting the student from one or both years of the foreign language requirement on postsecondary options, including, but not limited to, minimum admission requirements for public universities in this State and other institutions of higher education, as well as alternative pathways that may be available. The acknowledgment must also confirm the student's and the parent's or guardian's understanding that such an exemption may limit eligibility for admission to certain institutions or programs and may require adjustment of the student's course plan if the student's postsecondary goals, interests, or opportunities change. In order for the student to be exempted, this acknowledgment needs to be completed by the end of the student's 9th grade year. A student transferring to the school after the 9th grade shall begin the counselor-guided process at the time of registration in order to be considered for the exemption.

(3) A written course plan, developed collaboratively with the student, that identifies the coursework the student will complete in lieu of the foreign language requirement and that supports the student's individualized college and career goals, maintains academic rigor, and aligns with postsecondary-readiness expectations established by the State Board of Education.

A student who has used the counselor-guided process may not be prohibited from enrolling in foreign language coursework in a subsequent school year. The school district shall, to the extent practicable, provide equitable access to foreign language instruction and appropriate academic support to enable the student to meet postsecondary admission requirements if the student's goals change.

Nothing in this subsection may be construed to limit a student's ability to earn credits through foreign language coursework, demonstrate proficiency, or satisfy other graduation requirements through allowable substitutions under this Code. This subsection may not be implemented in a manner that results in a disparate impact on any student group or that conflicts with State Board of Education equity, access, or postsecondary-readiness guidance.

Implementation of the counselor-guided process, the development or modification of a student's course plan, and a student's enrollment or reenrollment in foreign language coursework pursuant to this subsection shall be carried out in accordance with the school district's existing course offerings and scheduling constraints and may not be construed to waive, eliminate, or otherwise alter the 2-year foreign language requirement under clause (i) of subsection (e-10), except as expressly provided through an approved exemption pursuant to this subsection.".