SEAL Overview

California State Seal of

Biliteracy

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� � 22000 Nevada Street San Joaquin, CA 93660

559-693-1115

The purposes for instituting the Seal of Biliteracy and the Pathways to Biliteracy Awards are numerous: • To encourage students to

study languages • To certify attainment of

biliteracy skills • To recognize the value of

language diversity • To provide employers with a

method of identifying people with language and biliteracy skills

• To provide universities with a method to recognize and give credit to applicants for attainment of high level skills in multiple languages

• To prepare students with 21st century skills that will benefit them in the labor market and the global society

• To strengthen intergroup relationships and honor the multiple cultures and languages in a community.

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Martín Macías Superintendent

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Creating Global Citizens

What is the Seal of Biliteracy?

The Seal of Biliteracy is an award given by a school, school district or county office of education in recognition of students who have studied and attained proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation. The Seal of Biliteracy takes the form of a gold seal that appears on the transcript or diploma of the graduating senior and is a statement of accomplishment for future employers and for college admissions. In addition to the Seal of Biliteracy that marks attainment of high-level mastery of two or more languages, schools and districts are also instituting Bilingual Pathway Awards, recognizing significant steps towards developing biliteracy along a student’s trajectory from preschool into high school.

Criteria for State Seal of Biliteracy:

Students must meet the following State Criteria to be awarded with the California Seal of Biliteracy:

• English Language Arts requirements with a 2.0 GPA

• Passing the California Standards Test in ELA administered in grade eleven at the Proficient level or above

• Proficiency in one or more languages in addition to English: o A score of 3 or higher on the

AP Exam or an International Baccalaureate exam with a score of 4 or higher

o Successful completion of a four-year high school course study in a world language and attainment of a 3.0 or higher

o No AP in the World language, district can certify

o Passing the Scholastic Assessment Test II Foreign Language Examination with a score of 600 or higher

• If English learner, advanced proficiency level on CELDT

o Meet list above

Which states have adopted the Seal of Biliteracy so far? There are currently 21 states that have approved a statewide Seal of Biliteracy.

Seal Pathway Elementary

• Age appropriate oral/listening proficiency in home language • Age appropriate proficiency in English • Active use of both languages • Ability to write coherently and with purpose in both languages • Log of hours of service using bilingual skills • Positive attitudes and understanding of benefits of bilingualism

Middle School

• Proficient on STS or district assessment in languages other then English • Oral proficiency in language other than English • English CST at Proficient or Above • Average grade of B or above in English classes & World

languages/Native language classes • Written and oral presentations about bilingualism or cultural

experiences • For English learners – Reclassified to RFEP

High School • Successful course completion (Average grade of B or above in English

classes & World languages/Native language classes) • Writing Assessment and rubric • Oral interview • Reading assessment • Passage of tests at proficient level • Performance criteria • Application