BILL NUMBER: ACR 27	CHAPTERED
	BILL TEXT

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER  34
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  MAY 26, 2009
	ADOPTED IN SENATE  MAY 21, 2009
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 11, 2009

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Davis
   (Coauthors: Assembly Members Blumenfield, Charles Calderon, De
Leon, Gaines, Krekorian, Price, Silva, and Audra Strickland)

                        FEBRUARY 18, 2009

   Relative to World Languages and Cultures Month.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 27, Davis.  Language education: World Languages and Cultures
Month.
   This measure would declare the month of May 2009 as World
Languages and Cultures Month.




   WHEREAS, On January 7, 2009, the State Board of Education approved
the content standards for teaching foreign languages in kindergarten
and grades 1 to 12, inclusive, which will strengthen the teaching of
languages and cultures to pupils in California; and
   WHEREAS, California language organizations are participating in a
10-year Discover Languages, Discover the World! campaign sponsored by
the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages to
increase public awareness in the United States of the importance of
providing educational instruction in languages and cultures; and
   WHEREAS, Proficiency in more than one language enhances
communication and strengthens positive interactions among people in
the United States and around the world; and
   WHEREAS, The study of languages improves the academic and literacy
skills of pupils, leading to increased levels of achievement on
verbal and quantitative examinations; and
   WHEREAS, The study of languages and cultures provides insight into
the history, heritage, and perspectives of all California residents
and of residents of other communities around the world; and
   WHEREAS, The conditions of the current international economy
require that Californians be able to interact effectively with
persons from different cultural backgrounds; and
   WHEREAS, Linguistic and cultural competence is critical to the
security needs of the United States; and
   WHEREAS, The study of languages and cultures increases
understanding of, and encourages respect for, people of different
backgrounds; and
   WHEREAS, During the month of May 2009 the California Language
Teachers' Association, the California Foreign Language Project, the
University of California Consortium for Language Learning and
Teaching, and other educational organizations throughout California
will sponsor special activities to promote awareness of the
importance of California residents being able to interact
successfully in multilingual and multicultural contexts in the United
States and around the world; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby proclaims the month
of May 2009 as World Languages and Cultures Month, during which time
the Legislature encourages all educational communities in California
to celebrate languages and cultures with appropriate pupil activities
and programs that promote an understanding of the diversity of
languages and cultures in California and the benefit that they
represent to our nation, and urges all residents to become interested
in and give full support to quality language and cultural programs
for all pupils in California schools; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.