Bill Text: IL SJR0068 | 2009-2010 | 96th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Encourages school districts in this State to explore the introduction of Arabic as a foreign language in their curriculum.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)

Status: (Passed) 2010-03-17 - Adopted Both Houses [SJR0068 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2009-SJR0068-Introduced.html

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SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, In 2006, the federal Secretaries of State,
Education, and Defense and the Director of National
Intelligence joined together to take part in an initiative to
dramatically increase the number of Americans learning and
teaching foreign languages of critical need for reasons of
national security and global competitiveness; and
WHEREAS, In 2008, the initiative, entitled the National
Security Language Initiative, designated certain languages to
be categorized as "Critical Need"; and
WHEREAS, The National Security Language Initiative was
implemented on the notion that recognizes that "speaking
another's language promotes understanding; conveys respect;
strengthens our ability to engage foreign peoples and
governments; and provides others with an opportunity to learn
more about America and its people"; and
WHEREAS, In 2008, Arabic was one of the languages
designated as a "Critical Need" language; and
WHEREAS, The National Security Language Initiative
provides for federal funding for language instruction under
Foreign Language Assistance Program grants; and

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WHEREAS, In 2008, federal grants have been used to aid in
instruction of Arabic in Illinois programs, such as grants
totaling $240,000 allowing for summer instruction for Chicago
public school students to intensify their Arabic at the
University of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, To date, this State still remains to be
startlingly under-represented among Foreign Language Assistant
Program grant recipients; and
WHEREAS, The State Board of Education also designates
funding for an Arabic Language Initiative under its Arts and
Foreign Language Education Grant Program; and
WHEREAS, In May 2008, Mayor Richard M. Daley announced that
Chicago public schools were initiating a $1,000,000 expansion
of the Critical Languages Program; and
WHEREAS, Concerned local communities of this State have
initiated a concerted effort since the creation of the National
Security Language Initiative to propose the introduction of
Arabic as a foreign language option for high school, junior
high, and elementary school students; and
WHEREAS, The concerted effort has included numerous signed

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petitions, town hall meetings, and numerous personal
one-on-one meetings with principals, students, teachers,
parents, and superintendents; and
WHEREAS, These concerned communities have continued their
efforts to maintain the goal of building a competitive
advantage for Illinois students in a changing global dynamic;
and
WHEREAS, A few public schools in this State have already
begun to offer Arabic as a foreign language, such as Lindblom
Math & Science Academy, Lincoln Park High School, Roosevelt
High School, Volta Elementary School, Durkin Park Elementary
School, and Peck Elementary School; and
WHEREAS, Funding options, research, and community interest
have shown Arabic to be a foreign language that will be a
welcomed option in school districts, providing competitive
advantage for students in this State; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
CONCURRING HEREIN, that we encourage school districts in this
State to explore the introduction of Arabic as a foreign
language in their curriculum, particularly school districts
that have constituencies with an interest in the instruction of

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Arabic, through a transparent and collaborative process with
the community that takes full advantage of State and federal
funding resources; and be it further
RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
delivered to the school districts of this State.