SECTION 1. Chapter 69 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2010 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following 2 sections:-

Section 1O. The department shall develop standards and objectives for foreign language competency for all students in grades pre-kindergarten to 12, inclusive, within the existing foreign language curriculum. The department shall identify additional resources necessary for school districts to achieve the required competency.

Section 1P. The department shall conduct a feasibility study concerning the inclusion of foreign languages on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System, hereinafter referred to as MCAS in this section, on or before the last Wednesday in March 2014. Should the department conclude that the inclusion of foreign language on the MCAS, is feasible, students shall demonstrate competency, as defined by the department, on the MCAS in 1 or more of the following languages: Mandarin, Spanish, Hindi-Urdu, Arabic, Portuguese, Russian, French or Haitian Creole.

SECTION 2. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the department of elementary and secondary education shall submit a report containing its recommendations, standards, objectives, and conclusions pursuant to section 1O of chapter 69 of the joint committee on education on or before the last Wednesday in December 2013.