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Download the Seal of Biliteracy Poster here.
What is the State Seal of Biliteracy?
The State Seal of Biliteracy is a recognition by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction for graduating high school students who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in one or more languages in addition to English. The State Seal of Biliteracy is marked by a gold seal affixed to the diploma or transcript.
How Can You Earn The California State Seal of Biliteracy?
To earn the California State Seal of Biliteracy, graduating high school seniors must demonstrate proficiency in English and one or more languages in addition to English.
Where can I find more information about the State Seal of Biliteracy?
More information about the State Seal of Biliteracy is available on the California Department of Education State Seal of Biliteracy web page at https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/el/er/sealofbiliteracy.asp
English Proficiency Requirements:
Complete all English Language Arts (ELA) graduation requirements with a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) or above or pass the ELA California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress at the “standard met” level or above or passing an AP English exam with a 3 or above or a score of 480 or above on the Evidence-Based reading and writing section of the SAT or a 4 or above on an International Baccalaureate (IB) exam.
Second Language Proficiency Requirements:
Pass either an Advanced Placement (AP) exam with a three or above, an International Baccalaureate (IB) exam with a four or above, or pass an ACTFL writing test and oral interview with a score of intermediate or higher. Or, pass a district- approved assessment of the same rigor as an AP exam OR complete a four-year high school course of study in the language with a 3.0 GPA or above AND demonstrate oral proficiency in the language.
Additional Requirement for Students Currently Classified as English Learners:
Demonstrate English proficiency by obtaining an ORAL composite score of 4 on the on the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC)
The Home Language Development Recognition Award is offered to 8th grade multilingual students who demonstrate they continue to develop their home language outside of school. This award is designed to celebrate their path to biliteracy and encourage students to continue the course of language study in high school and obtain the state awarded Seal of Biliteracy. Certificates are awarded to 8th grade students who have successfully met all the criteria.
Eligibility:
8th grade students who continue to develop their home language outside of school and complete requirements by the specified date.
Required Activities:
Students independently complete the following four activities in their home language. Parent, guardian, or caregiver signs the documentation form and certifies that their child has opportunities to develop and maintain their home language and regularly participates in each of the four domains. Completion Form includes the following activities and will be provided to students once application is received:
- Listen to an activity in their home language.
- Submit a recording of a student speaking in their home language.
- Read one book (fiction or nonfiction) in their home language.
- Submit one writing sample in their home language.
This elementary Biliteracy Attainment Award is designed to celebrate high-levels of biliteracy and to encourage students to continue their course of language study at the secondary level. The Spanish Biliteracy Attainment Recognition Award will be given to 5th grade students who have met the criteria.
Eligibility:
5th grade students in the Spanish Biliteracy Pathway
5th grade students in the Spanish Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program.
5th grade students who are bilingual and biliterate in Spanish and English
Required Activities:
1. Opinion essay in English:
Prompt: Why is being biliterate important to you, your community and the world?
2. Informative essay in Spanish:
Prompt: Choose a topic that you are passionate about and write an informative essay. (For example: an animal you love, a sport you play, something you do with your family like cooking or traveling, a place you like to visit, etc.)
Criteria:
English STAR Reading score of 40% or above
Spanish STAR Reading Score of 40% or above
Demonstrate writing proficiency in English and Spanish by scoring a 4 on the writing rubric for each essay.
San Leandro Unified offers a Spanish Biliteracy Program Participation Recognition. This certificate is designed to celebrate biliteracy and to encourage students to continue participation in multilingual programs. The Biliteracy Recognition will be given to 5th grade students in the Dual Language Programs.