Seal of Biliteracy Program

All high school students can earn the Seal of Biliteracy by showing proficiency in English and at least one other language. They must meet the state’s proficiency standards, regardless of whether the additional language is their native, heritage, or learned language.

All students who meet the requirements are eligible for the Seal award, regardless of language background or any conditions like blindness, deafness, cognitive, or learning disabilities. Accommodations used in state-required language assessments should also apply to the Seal of Biliteracy assessments. Technology should be utilized to ensure these assessments are accessible to everyone."

Students in our District have to demonstrate a required level of language proficiency to be awarded the Seal of Biliteracy. Proficiency is demonstrated by achieving a successful score on the AAPPL Exam or AP Language exam. 

Students know they are on the right path to achieving the Seal of Biliteracy by tracking their progress in language courses, receiving guidance from their teachers, and meeting proficiency benchmarks set by their school or state.

All students will receive information on the Seal of Biliteracy upon entering high school so that they are able to organize their schedules and meet the language requirements to receive this honor.

Each school will submit the names of students that have completed all of the requirements for receiving the Seal of Biliteracy. The ICCSD will have a committee that will review criteria for completion and determine students' eligibility for receiving the Seal. Students will receive the Seal on their High School Diploma. Each school may choose to host an award ceremony or celebration to honor students' achievement.

Proficiency in a language other than English will benefit students in our current world that is linguistically and culturally diverse. Employers in today's current market seek individuals that have bilingual skills and cultural proficiency. Students who receive a Seal of Biliteracy award can promote this accomplishment on their resumes, as well as scholarship and university applications. Bilingual and biliterate individuals are more marketable to employers and institutions of higher learning. Many universities nationwide are awarding recognition to students that have achieved the Seal of Biliteracy with college credits and/or college scholarships.

World Languages in Which No Approved Assessment Exists 

If there is no approved assessment for the world language, the local school district or accredited nonpublic school must review and assess the student’s portfolio in the four language domains: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Products to demonstrate proficiency may include: 

• Formal presentations in the targeted language; (speaking) 
• Student-produced compositions, articles, papers, and other formal documents in the targeted world language (writing); 
• Reading text in the targeted language (reading) and; 
• Listening to a native speaker (listening)