The Seal of Biliteracy is an award given by a school, school district, country office of education, or state to recognize students who have studied and attained proficiency in 2 or more languages by the time they graduate high school. The school wants to help students recognize the value of their academic success and see the tangible benefits of being bilingual.
The school will recognize these students by putting the Seal of Biliteracy on their diploma, a certificate at the senior awards night, a cord for graduation, and is noted on the student’s transcript.
All students are eligible for the seal which is awarded their senior year. The criteria included biliteracy in two or more languages. This has to be English and any other world language. World language proficiency also must be demonstrated.
These students can demonstrate their English proficiency by having a minimum of 18 on the ACT English Test and 20 on the ACT Reading Test OR 3.0 or higher on the AP English Language and Composition or AP English Literature and Composition OR earning a 4.5 or higher Overall Composite proficiency level on ACCESS exam.
Students can demonstrate proficiency in a world language by passing the AP foreign language exam with 3+ OR earning an Intermediate-Mid in four modes of communication on the ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL).
The Seal is an amazing opportunity for many reasons. Some include
- Acknowledges and honors bilingual students
- Encourages biliteracy
- Increases abilities in:
– Academic
– Cognitive
– Social
– Global
The application deadline has already passed for the 2023-2024 school year but this would be an amazing opportunity for anyone interested for next school year!
