The Biliteracy Education Seal and Teaching Act, or BEST Act, authorizes the Secretary of Education to award competitive grants to States. These grants are intended to help States establish or improve, and carry out, Seal of Biliteracy programs and early language programs. The core purpose of these programs is to recognize students who achieve high-level proficiency in speaking and writing in both English and a second language, with reading and listening also potentially included. States applying for these grants must outline their proficiency criteria and detail plans to ensure equitable access for all students, including English learners , students with disabilities, and speakers of Native American languages and American Sign Language . A significant provision allows for the use of Native American languages as a base language for the Seal of Biliteracy. Grant funds can be used for administrative costs, public outreach, and subgrants to local educational agencies for language educator professional development and subsidizing testing fees for low-income students. Successful students will have their biliteracy recognized on their secondary school diploma or official academic transcript.