SJ0068 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SJ0068 LRB096 13017 NHT 27191 r

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

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 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 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.