GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2007

SESSION LAW 2007-154

HOUSE BILL 915

AN ACT ENCOURAGING THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

SYSTEM, AND THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA TO OFFER AMERICAN

SIGN LANGUAGE FOR CREDIT AS A MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGE.

               

Whereas, American Sign Language is a fully developed, autonomous, natural

      language with a unique grammar, syntax, vocabulary, and cultural heritage; and

    Whereas, the gestures, visual components, and structures of American Sign Language

      are neither derived from English nor a simplified version of English, and

    Whereas, American Sign Language is the predominant language most commonly used

      by the deaf community in the United States: and

     Whereas, there is increasing acceptance of American Sign Language as a foreign

      language taught in the public schools in the United States; and

     Whereas, 33 states currently have legislation recognizing American Sign Language

a foreign language; and

      Whereas, there is an increased acceptance of American Sign Language as a foreign

language among foreign language faculty at colleges and univeresities; Now, therefore,

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.(a) Chapter 115C of the General Sttutes is amended by adding a new

section to read:

"S 115C-81.3. Instruction in American Sign Language.

    (a)         The State of Education shall encourage schools to offer American Sign

Language classes in high schools as a modern foreign language.

     (b)        The State Board of Education shall adopt and implement standards for the

certification of teachers of  American Sign Language and shall set standards for teacher

preparation programs that prepare students for certification as American Sign Language

teachers."

SECTION 1. (b) The State Boarad of education shall report to the Joint Legislative

Education Oversight Committee by October 1, 2007, on the implementation of this section.

SECTION 2(a) Chapter 115D-5 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a

new subsection to read:

"(r)The State Board of Community Colleges shall develop curriculum and continuing

education standards for courses of instruction in American Sign Language and shall encourage

community colleges to offer courses in American Sign Language as a modern foreign language."

SECTION 2.(b)  The State Board of Community Colleges shall report to the Joint

Legislative Education Oversight Committee by October 1, 2007, on the implementation of this

section.

SECTION 3.(a) G.S. 116-11 is amended by a new subdivision to read:

S 116-11. Powers and duties generally.

   The powers and duties of the Board of Governors shall include the following:

(4b)The Board of Governors shall encourage the constituent institutions to offer

courses in American Sign Language as a modern foreign language."

SECTION 3.(b) The Board of Governors of  The University of North Carolina shall

report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by October 1, 2007, on the

Implementation of this section.

SECTION 4. This act is effective when it becomes law.

s/ Marc Basnight

    President Pro Tempore of the Senate

s/ Joe Hackney

    Speaker of the House of Representatives

s/ Michael F. Easley

     Governor

Approved 2:22 p.m. this 29th day of June 2007