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What is the high school graduation State Seal of Biliteracy?
What is the high school graduation State Seal of Biliteracy?
The Graduation State Seal of Biliteracy
Encourages All Students to Pursue Another Language
And Respects First Language Proficiency
The Seal of Biliteracy is an award given by a school, school district, or state in recognition of students who have studied and attained a level of proficiency in two or more languages, including English, by the time of their high school graduation.
Our vision is to help students recognize the value of their academic success and see the tangible benefits of being bilingual as a life skill and as a career skill.
For all the most up-to-date information, guidelines, and resources, please consult the website sealofbiliteracy.org
Why implement it?
Why implement it?
As the new 2024-2025 map shows, every state and the District of Columbia have now adopted a Seal, a form of literacy recognition first envisioned and enacted by the State of California.
Go to this interactive map and click on any state to see state contacts and online materials.
The State Seal of Biliteracy is now approved in some form in every state and the DC! NCLG is working with others in the JNCL to make sure that the Seal implementation is equitable across states and districts, strong, and well-funded. We want every student to have the opportunity to earn a Seal.
The Seal of Biliteracy encourages students to pursue biliteracy, honors the skills our students attain, and can be evidence of skills that are attractive to future employers and college admissions offices. It also respects first language proficiency including, in some states, Native American tribal languages proficiency.
The Global Seal of Biliteracy now offers a digital profile to recipients!
(For more about the Global Seal, see below.)
We have available a new multi-page infographic on the Seal of Biliteracy here from the OLEA (latest, 2023-2024).
NEW! Hear Mr. Mike Levin, a California House Representative congratulate Seal of Biliteracy recipients in his CA-49 District and speak about the value of dual language proficiency. (2024)
NEW! Hear Mr. Mike Levin, a California House Representative congratulate Seal of Biliteracy recipients in his CA-49 District and speak about the value of dual language proficiency. (2024)
VIEW IT on our NCLG server HERE.(2min) Or go to: tinyurl.com/RepLevinSealofBiliteracy
This can be a great motivator for your students!
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Why implement a program - more specifics:
Why implement a program - more specifics:
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.
The Seal of Biliteracy for Latin
The Seal of Biliteracy for Latin
Graduating students may apply for a Seal of Biliteracy in Latin. The guidelines for awarding the Seal in Latin may differ between states or districts, but your state or district board of education website should have details. There are several methods and instruments in place for showing a student’s qualification for the Latin Seal, including IB and AP results, the ALIRA test from ACTFL and the STAMP test. Any one or a combination of these may apply in your area. The National Latin Exam results may also be admitted as a secondary source in some districts.
Information on the Seal of Biliteracy for Latin can be found in this presentation given at the 2020 ACTFL Convention.
Find more information through ACTFL about the ALIRA assessment by clicking this link.
Here is a spreadsheet of information by state as of January 2020, but please check with your state Department of Education for updates.
The Seal of Biliteracy also has a comprehensive website with much useful information and most recent guidelines. Here is FAQ page. And check out their blog and social stream.
Guidelines for Implementing the Seal of Biliteracy can be found here or by clicking this link.
EXCITING NEWS FOR COLLEGES!
EXCITING NEWS FOR COLLEGES!
ACTFL has approved the use of LTI’s ALIRA proficiency tests for Higher Ed students! Set up a chat with Dr. Quinlan
PLUS: Have your Latin students apply for the NEW Seal of Biliteracy Achievement Scholarship until May 31.
NEW! IMPLEMENTING THE SEAL: NCLG PRACTICAL ADVICE FOR LATIN TEACHERS
NEW! IMPLEMENTING THE SEAL: NCLG PRACTICAL ADVICE FOR LATIN TEACHERS
Our NCLG member Brian Compton has presented a webinar for the American Classical League, as well as led a session at ACL Institute '23.
We are pleased to share links to his webinar recording and numerous resources, including handouts, his slide deck, and notes. He covers everything you need to know to promote and successfully initiate a Seal of Biliteracy program at your school or district for Latin students.
If you plan to offer the Global Seal of Biliteracy at a private or public school, here is the page to check on the tests that Global Seal accepts. Here is where you can check out your state's information if you want to see what tests they will accept - just find your state on the map and click it!
Webinar recording More resources
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE SEAL OF BILITERACY FOR LATIN
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE SEAL OF BILITERACY FOR LATIN
Graduating students may apply for a Seal of Biliteracy in Latin. The guidelines for awarding the Seal may differ between states or districts, but your state or district board of education website should have details. There are several methods and instruments in place for showing a student’s qualification for the Latin Seal, including IB and AP results, the ALIRA test from ACTFL. Any one or a combination of these may apply in your area. The National Latin Exam results may also be admitted as a secondary source in some districts.
A 2023-2024 update on ALIRA can be found HERE. Find further information on the ALIRA assessment HERE. The ACTFL Latin Interpretive Reading Assessment (ALIRA) is a computer-adaptive test that assesses students' ability to read and comprehend a variety of Latin-language texts. Rated according to the ACTFL Performance Descriptors for Language Learners, it is designed for middle and high school aged students. General information link: https://www.languagetesting.com/actfl-latin-interpretive-reading-assessment. Link to a demo of the ALIRA: https://alirademo.actfltesting.org/ Link to order the ALIRA: https://www.languagetesting.com/contact-us/sales
Also check out an annual scholarship award for three Seal recipients from LTI- ACTFL!
PLEASE SUPPORT THE JNCL AND THEIR SEAL INITIATIVE BECAUSE THEY …..
PLEASE SUPPORT THE JNCL AND THEIR SEAL INITIATIVE BECAUSE THEY …..
Advocate for the right of all students to study a second language
Recognize the benefits of multilingualism in the US
Advocate for all language professionals
Through JNCL we work together on ….
Federal funding as part of a new BEST Act for all 50 states – (Bilingual Education Seal and Teaching Act)
Funding the World Language Readiness grants
Getting Congress members to recognize and join ALC
Funding for Teacher Quality Partnership (Title II grants to train K-12 teachers; many have been language teachers)
Funding Title VI Fulbright Hays, Paul Simon Study Abroad, and International Studies grants
How to implement a program - more specifics:
How to implement a program - more specifics:
There are six steps to take towards implementing a Seal of Biliteracy effort:
The Global Seal of Biliteracy was developed to allow more schools to participate and to recognize different levels of increasing proficiency with a globally recognized recipient database.
One main difference between State and Global Seals is that Global Seals can be tested for at any time in a student's educational career. And it is not restricted to public school students.
AT THIS TIME THE GLOBAL SEAL MAY OFFER LATIN. READ ABOUT USING THE STAMP TEST OR ALIRA TEST.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, SEE INFO FROM NCLG's BRIAN COMPTON ABOVE ON THIS PAGE:
"NEW! IMPLEMENTING THE SEAL: PRACTICAL ADVICE FOR LATIN TEACHERS"
They explain,"The State Seal of Biliteracy movement has swept across the United States since it was first created in the State of California in 2011. Today, a majority of states offer a State Seal of Biliteracy to provide recognition for students who demonstrate proficiency in both English and a second language. However, in most states, private, charter, independent, college, and homeschoolers are not eligible to receive the Seal of Biliteracy. The Global Seal realizes the value of language credentials and was established to provide an opportunity for ALL language user and students to earn recognition for their language proficiency skills. The Global Seal of Biliteracy by design is inclusive, embracing all languages and learners, with the intent to provide equal access and expanded opportunities."
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