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.
How can I learn if our district’s graduates are eligible for the State Seal of Biliteracy?
The requirements for eligibility can be found in Assembly Bill (AB) 815 (Outside Source). Please read the bill in its entirety.
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.
What information must districts submit to the California Department of Education?
Districts must submit the school name(s), the total number of qualifying graduates per school; and the total number of qualifying graduates per district. The California Department of Education is also requesting the number of qualifying graduates who are former English learners, the languages other than English in which students are proficient, and the number of students per language. The Insignia Request Form is on our State Seal of Biliteracy Web page.
When must the Insignia Request Form be submitted to the California Department of Education?
The Insignia Request Form may be submitted anytime; and the California Department of Education will begin mailing insignias the first week of April 2012. It is recommended that districts and direct-funded charter schools send requests in advance to allow time for the California Department of Education to process the requests and for insignias to be affixed to the diplomas or transcripts. Generally, insignias can be expected within three to six weeks from the date the California Department of Education receives a request.
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.
Where can I find more information about the State Seal of Biliteracy?
The requirements for eligibility, and other important information can be found in AB 815 (Outside Source). Please read AB 815 in its entirety before completing the Insignia Request Form.
Does the State Seal of Biliteracy apply to American Sign Language (ASL)?
Yes. In California, ASL is considered a foreign (world) language.
Can students qualify for more than one Seal of Biliteracy?
Yes. If a district or County Office of Education has implemented a local Seal of Biliteracy program, students may qualify for both the local Seal of Biliteracy and the State Seal of Biliteracy if requirements for both are met. Note that requirements may differ from program to program and meeting the requirements of one program may not satisfy requirements for another program.
How can we ensure that students who may qualify for the seal by completing four years of a foreign language course of study with a GPA of 3.0 or above at the end of their senior year will receive a seal?
Schools and districts may estimate the number of students they believe will meet eligibility requirements by graduation based on most recent GPA and anticipated final grades. Seals are to be awarded to those students who fully meet the eligibility requirements. (Education Code (EC), Section 51460)
How can we ensure that students who may qualify for the seal by completing all English language arts requirements for graduation with an overall grade point average of 2.0 or above in those classes will receive a seal?
Schools and districts may estimate the number of students they believe will meet eligibility requirements by graduation based on most recent GPA and anticipated final grades. Seals are to be awarded to those students who fully meet the eligibility requirements. (EC Section 51460)
Students who are seeking to qualify for the SSB by passing the AP exam with a score of 3 or higher will receive AP exam results two to three months after graduation. Will these students be eligible to receive a seal after graduation? How can these students be recognized at their graduation ceremony?
Seals may be awarded after graduation. Some districts are recognizing these students as “candidates for the State Seal of Biliteracy” during graduation ceremonies. (EC Section 51460)
How can I contact the California Department of Education if I have questions?
For questions related to the State Seal of Biliteracy, contact the California Department of Education by e-mail at SEAL@cde.ca.gov
How can I learn about other Seal of Biliteracy programs?
You may access more information on the Californians Together Web site (Outside Source).
