§273.1.  Critical languages; teaching in public schools

A.  As expeditiously as possible, but not later than the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year, the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall ensure that secondary school students are afforded the opportunity to study at least one of the critical languages as defined by the United States Department of State and the United States Department of Education.

B.  The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education may phase in implementation of the requirements of this Section in accordance with the following timeline:

(1)  Not later than the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year, students enrolled in at least twenty-five percent of the secondary schools in the state shall have the opportunity to study a critical language.

(2)  Not later than the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year, students enrolled in at least fifty percent of the secondary schools in the state shall have the opportunity to study a critical language.

(3)  Not later than the beginning of the 2012-2013 school year, students enrolled in at least seventy-five percent of the secondary schools in the state shall have the opportunity to study a critical language.

(4)  Not later than the beginning of the 2013-2014 school year, every student enrolled in a secondary school in the state shall be afforded the opportunity to study at least one of the critical languages as defined by the United States Department of State and the United States Department of Education.

C.  The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall submit a written report regarding the progress made in implementing the provisions of this Section to the Senate Committee on Education and the House Committee on Education not later than March fifteenth of each year, until such time as the provisions of this Section have been fully implemented.

Acts 2008, No. 770, §1, eff. when sufficient funds are appropriated.