Seal Of Biliteracy
Connecticut’s Seal of Biliteracy
North Haven Public Schools
What is the Seal of Biliteracy?
The Seal of Biliteracy is an award given in recognition of students who have attained proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation.
Appearing on a certificate, the Seal of Biliteracy is a statement of
accomplishment for gaining competency in two or more languages and is viewed as an asset when applying for a job or for college admission. The Seal serves to certify attainment of biliteracy for students, employers and institutions of higher education. It is a statement of accomplishment that helps to signal evidence of a student’s readiness for career and college, and for engagement as a global citizen. (adapted from sealofbiliteracy.org)
As of 2021, 40 States award the Seal of Biliteracy to qualifying students.
What does the Seal of Biliteracy Measure?
Proficiency in a language: Intermediate Mid or higher
- Functional language ability
- The ability to USE language for real-world purposes
- Guidelines describe what a language user can do (say, write,
understand)
Which Assessments will be used to Measure Proficiency?
STAMP: https://avantassessment.com/
(Standards Based Achievement of Proficiency)
- Students must score INTERMEDIATE MID or higher to be awarded
the Seal of Biliteracy
- Sections: Each test consists of a reading, writing, speaking, and listening portion. Seniors may retake a portion of the test.
What are the Benefits to our Students?
- Highlight second language ability as a key 21st Century Skill in college, career, and life.
- Show universities and potential employers that a student has the ability to effectively
communicate with people from two or more languages and cultures, both orally and in
writing.
- Encourage all students to pursue proficiency in at least one language other than their
native language.
- Reward world language students including English Language Learners for their level of proficiency or mastery of a language other than their own.
- Strengthen intergroup relationships, affirm the value of diversity, and honor the multiple cultures and languages North Haven Public Schools.
- Both Southern Connecticut State University and University of New Haven award nine credits on students’ transcripts for attaining the Seal of Biliteracy.
How will the Seal of Biliteracy be Administered in North Haven?
•All students will have the opportunity to take the Seal of Biliteracy in early March.
- The World Language Department Coordinator will ensure there are proper resources allocated for the administration of the tests and will order the individual tests by language. She will also reserve rooms and help administer the test.
- Students must score “Intermediate Mid” or higher in all four parts of the test.
- Students failing only one section of the test will have the opportunity to retake a section of the test with 90 days.
- The Department Coordinator will work with guidance to determine if each qualifying student has met all graduation requirements for English.
- All students who have met both the ELA and the WL requirements will have an appropriate course titled, such as: “Seal of Biliteracy Spanish” or “Seal of Biliteracy Italian” (depending on the language) added to their official transcripts to be shared with colleges in time for applications.
Who is Eligible to take the test at North Haven?
- Any junior or senior currently enrolled in a world language class.
- Any senior that has exhausted all language class offerings and is currently a TA in a WL classroom
English Language Learners who Earn the Seal of Biliteracy
All Connecticut students are eligible to earn the Connecticut Seal of Biliteracy including ELs.
- Students must be in grades 11, or 12 to qualify. Both native and non-native speakers of English need to provide comparable evidence of English language proficiency by passing the Las Links Placement Test.
The three academic requirements below must be met:
- Students must complete all English language arts requirements for graduation.
- Students must demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English at a level comparable to Intermediate Mid on the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines.
Students must pass the Las Links Placement Test. (adapted from www.ctcolt.org ).