1. (a) The state certificate of biliteracy is created to:

   1. (1) encourage students to study languages;
   2. (2) certify the attainment of biliteracy;
   3. (3) provide employers with a method of identifying individuals with language and biliteracy skills;
   4. (4) provide postsecondary educational institutions with an additional method to recognize applicants for admission;
   5. (5) prepare students with twenty-first century skills;
   6. (6) recognize the value of foreign language and native language instruction in public schools; and
   7. (7) strengthen intergroup relationships, affirm the value of diversity, and honor the multiple cultures and languages of a community.
2. (b) The receipt of the certificate demonstrates the attainment of a high level of proficiency by a graduate of a public or an accredited nonpublic high school, sufficient for meaningful use in college and a career, in one (1) or more languages in addition to English.
3. (c) A school corporation, a charter school, or an accredited nonpublic high school is not required to participate in the certificate program.

As added by P.L.226-2015, SEC.2.