Seal of Biliteracy

OVERVIEW

The California State Governor approved Assembly Bill 815 (Brownley) on October 8, 2011 to recognize high school graduates 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 awarded by the school district on behalf of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

The Garden Grove Unified School District Seal of Biliteracy would recognize students in grade 12 who are able to demonstrate proficiency in English and in a language other than English with a special seal on the diploma. The State has defined the criteria by which students may earn this recognition. Each candidate for the Seal of Biliteracy will complete an application, which will be submitted to the Department of 7-12 Instructional Services. Applications will be reviewed to verify that criteria have been met.

The Seal of Biliteracy award advances the District’s commitment that every student graduates prepared and equipped with the knowledge and skills to participate in college, career, and a diverse 21st century society. The award honors the rich linguistic and cultural assets of the District and communicates that mastery of two or more languages is an important skill enabling effective participation in a global political, social, and economic context. Additionally, the award will encourage students to study languages, recognize world language instruction, and provide employers and universities with a method of identifying and recognizing people with language and biliteracy skills. Criteria For The Awards

Students must demonstrate proficiency in English and in a language other than English.

Demonstrating Proficiency in English
A student must demonstrate proficiency in English through all of the following means:

Completion of high school graduation requirements, including passing of the CAHSEE, and 11th grade California Standards Test (CST) English/Language Arts exam with a score of “Proficient” or “Advanced” – OR – Advanced Placement (AP) English Language or English Literature exam with a score of “3” or higher, and Completion of English language arts requirements for graduation with an overall grade point average of 2.0 or above in those classes. Students whose primary language is other than English shall attain the Early Advanced or higher proficiency level on the California English Language Development Test (CELDT).

AND

Demonstrate Proficiency in a language other than English A student must demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English through one of the following means: Successful completion of a district advanced or four-year high school course of study in a foreign language, and attaining an overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher in those classes. Pass the Advanced Placement (AP) World Language or World Literature exam with a score of “3” or higher. Pass the SAT Subject Test in any language other than English with a score of 600 or above. (Check http://sat.collegeboard.org/register/sat-subject-test-dates) Pass the district comprehensive language assessment. (Available in the Vietnamese language only. March testing date. Register through counselor.)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the State Seal of Biliteracy?

The State Seal of Biliteracy is recognition from the State Superintendent of Public Instruction of 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.

What kind of insignia will be provided by the California Department of Education?

One gold, embossed, self-adhesive seal will be provided for each qualifying graduate. The seal has been specially designed for the new State Seal of Biliteracy designation.

Is there a cost to students for the Seal?

No fee may be charged to students who participate in the State Seal of Biliteracy program.

Do I have to meet all four eligibility requirements for the language other than English?

No. Students may show proficiency in a language other than English by meeting any ONE of the eligibility requirements for the language other than English. Students must also meet all of the eligibility requirements to demonstrate proficiency in the English language.

I started my freshman year in ELD classes. I am now a senior in English 2P. Do I meet the requirements for completing the graduation requirements for English?

As long as a student has met all requirements for graduation, completed 40 English credits with an overall grade point average of 2.0 or higher, and scored “Proficient” or “Advanced” on the 11th grade CST ELA, and scored “Early Advanced” or “Advanced” on the CELDT (if classified as an English Learner), the student would meet the requirements demonstrating proficiency in the English language.

I am reclassified as Fluent English Proficient (RFEP). Do I meet the requirements for demonstrating proficiency in the English Language?

A student who is classified as RFEP must still meet all requirements for graduation, complete 40 English credits with an overall grade point average of 2.0 or higher and score “Proficient” or “Advanced” on the 11th grade CST ELA in order to demonstrate proficiency in the English language.

What if I took AP Spanish my junior year and did not take the test (or did not pass)? Do I qualify?

Since the student initially tested into a higher level of the world language class, the AP class is an advanced level meeting the course of study requirement. The student would meet the eligibility requirement for demonstrating proficiency in Spanish if he or she attained an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher in world language classes.

I am enrolled in the Spanish for Spanish Speakers 2 class during my senior year. Will I meet the requirements?

A senior enrolled in Spanish for Spanish Speakers 2 does not meet the requirement. This student must pass the AP Spanish test with a score of 3 or higher, or pass the SAT Subject Test with a score of 600 or higher.

I take Vietnamese language classes on weekends, and my high school does not offer Vietnamese classes (or I am not enrolled in the high school classes). How can I demonstrate my proficiency?

Since there is no Advanced Placement or SAT Subject Test for the Vietnamese language, students may demonstrate proficiency by passing the district comprehensive language assessment in Vietnamese. The test will be administered in March. Students will register for the assessment through the guidance office.

Is there a district comprehensive language assessment in any other language other than Vietnamese?

Vietnamese is the only world language offered in Garden Grove Unified School District which does not have an Advanced Placement (AP) exam or SAT Subject Exam available. Therefore, the district has developed the comprehensive language assessment in Vietnamese, which must be certified by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

I am fluent in a language other than English, but did not take language classes in high school. Can I qualify?

Students must be able to demonstrate language proficiency through one of the following exams: Advanced Placement (AP), SAT Subject Tests, or the Vietnamese district comprehensive language assessment. If your language proficiency cannot be assessed through one of these means, there is not currently a way in which a student is able to demonstrate proficiency and earn the seal. Please see “2012-13 Exam Dates.” Students must also meet the criteria to demonstrate proficiency in English.

Check back for updates and additional questions and answers throughout the year.