NASHVILLE (AP) - A proposal to encourage high school students to become fluent in a foreign language is moving through the Legislature.

The measure sponsored by Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, unanimously passed the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday.

The measure urges the Tennessee Board of Education to develop guidelines for school districts to use to motivate students to do more than just take foreign language as a credit.

House sponsor Jim Coley, R-Bartlett, said the bill is necessary to help prepare students to work in a global economy.

The companion to the Senate legislation is in the House Education Committee.

Read the full text of SB2980 at on the Legislature's Web site at: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us

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