Seal of Biliteracy
The Seal of Biliteracy was an initiative started by in 2008, to acknowledge and award hardworking bilingual and multilingual students. In 2011, it officially became legislation in California and as of 2024, every state throughout the nation has implemented a Seal of Biliteracy. On March 30, 2017, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper signed Senate Bill 17-123, which authorized the award in the state of Colorado. By achieving the Seal of Biliteracy, students demonstrate that they can speak, read, listen, and write in two or more languages at a high level of proficiency.
The Seal of Biliteracy seeks to:
- Encourage students to study world languages.
- Certify attainment of biliteracy.
- Provide employers with a method of identifying people with language and biliteracy skills.
- Provide universities with a method to recognize and award academic credit to applicants seeking admission.
- Prepare students with 21st century skills.
- Recognize and promote world language instruction in public schools.
- Strengthen intergroup relationships, affirm the value of diversity, and honor the multiple cultures and languages of a community.
What are the benefits of earning the Seal of Biliteracy?
- The Seal looks great on a college application and may even earn you some free credit
- The Seal makes a student more marketable to employers
- Bilingual employees earn on average, 20% more in salary
- Employers rely on employees with skills other than English
- Bilingual jobs have tripled since 2010
- Businesses are expanding to markets that do not speak English
How much does the Seal of Biliteracy cost a student?
All costs associated with the Seal of Biliteracy (certificates, diploma seals, graduation cords, and district-approved assessments) are paid for by the Division of Teaching and Learning or the schools. There are no costs to the student outside of normal fees for Advanced Placement and/or International Baccalaureate examinations.
What are the eligibility requirements?
- Complete all high school graduation requirements.
- Demonstrate English language proficiency by fulfilling one of the following options:
- Next Generation Accuplacer - Reading: 241 or higher
- Next Generation Accuplacer - Writing: 236 or higher
- ACT - English: 18 or higher
- Advanced Placement English Exam: 2 or higher
- Concurrent Enrollment English: C or higher in a specific Guarantee Transfer Pathway
- District Capstone: Completed Capstone
- Industry-Based Certificates: Certificate earned
- International Baccalaureate (IB) Exam: 4 or higher
- ACT WorkKeys Certification: Bronze or higher
- SAT - English: 470 or higher
- Demonstrate proficiency in one or more languages other than English by fulfilling one of the following options:
- Advanced Placement (AP) World Language exam: 3 or higher
- International Baccalaureate (IB) World Language exam: 4 or higher
- District-approved language assessments: Passing score
- Foreign government or Native American tribal language exam: Passing score
What do students receive when they earn the Seal of Biliteracy?
- Certificate of Recognition
- Diploma Seal
- Transcript Notation
- Graduation Cord
Students can apply for the Seal of Biliteracy HERE.