State Seal of Biliteracy
Information about the California State Seal of Biliteracy program and its requirements for students, parents, and educators.The State Seal of Biliteracy (SSB), marked by a gold seal on the diploma or transcript, recognizes high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing one or more languages in addition to English.
Updates for the 2023–24 School Year
Assembly Bill 370 was signed by Governor Newsom on October 7, 2023. This web page has been updated to reflect the new requirements beginning with 2023–24 graduates. Please see the SSB Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for additional information.
Insignia Request Process
A school district, county office of education, or direct-funded charter school that participates in the SSB program must maintain appropriate records to identify qualifying students and must complete and submit the online Insignia Request Form. The Insignia Request Form may be submitted at any time; however, it is recommended that requests be submitted far enough in advance to allow time for the California Department of Education (CDE) to process the requests and for insignias to be affixed to diplomas or transcripts. Participation is voluntary and no fee may be charged to the student.
The CDE will mail to the requestor one seal per eligible student to be affixed to the diploma or transcript.
SSB Insignia Request Form
The form opens in a new window. Please read the directions and then click the "next" button at the bottom of the screen to begin filling out the form. When the Insignia Request Form is submitted, an automatically generated email is sent to the submitter. If the submitter does not receive an automatically generated email or if the insignias requested do not arrive after two weeks, please contact the CDE Multilingual Support Division by email at SEAL@cde.ca.gov.
Biliteracy Pathway Recognitions
For more information on the Biliteracy Pathway Recognitions, visit the CDE Biliteracy Pathway Recognitions web page.
Overview
The SSB, per Assembly Bill 815
(Brownley, Chapter 618, Statutes of 2011), became effective January 1, 2012, and was amended in 2017 per AB 1142
, effective January 1, 2018 and by AB 370, effective January 1, 2024. California Education Code sections 51460–51464
establish the SSB program and its requirements. This program recognizes high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing one or more languages in addition to English. The SSB will be awarded by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction in accordance with specified criteria set forth in the legislation.
Importance of the SSB Letter to the Field
The Importance of the SSB Letter to the Field gives the history of the SSB program and explains the program's purpose and importance as reaffirmed by State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond.
For Students and Families
Requirements
2023–24 SSB Requirements Flyer (PDF) The SSB Requirements Flyer provides an overview of the SSB requirements. This flyer may be used by students in appointments with their counselors to understand progress towards meeting the SSB requirements. This flyer reflects updated eligibility requirements established in California Education Code (EC) Section 51461.
How to Participate
If you believe that you or your child is eligible for the State Seal of Biliteracy, please contact a counselor or administrator at your school. You can check to see if your school or district participates in the State Seal of Biliteracy program by clicking on the “Participating LEAs” tab above and clicking on the tab for your county. All public schools are eligible to participate in the program.
If the school or district does not yet participate, you can share this web page with a counselor, teacher, or administrator at the school as well as the contact information below. The State Seal of Biliteracy is an optional program and participation is voluntary.
Resources
SSB Requirements Poster (PDF)
The SSB Requirements Poster may be printed on large paper and hung in classrooms, guidance counselor offices, and other areas where students and parents may see it.
SSB Bookmark (PDF)
The SSB Bookmark may be distributed to students, parents, counselors, teachers, and administrators to spread awareness about the program and its requirements. This bookmark is two-sided and should be printed back to front.
Resources
Please note, the requirements beginning with the 2023–24 school year have been amended per Assembly Bill 370. The information and resources below have been updated to reflect the new requirements effective January 1, 2024. These requirements apply to 2024 graduates.
SSB FAQs
The FAQs section includes responses to common inquiries about the SSB program and procedures.
Posters, Booklets, and Handouts
SSB Requirements Poster (PDF)
The SSB Requirements Poster may be printed on large paper and hung in classrooms, guidance counselor offices, and other areas where students and parents may see it.
SSB Bookmark (PDF)
The SSB Bookmark may be distributed to students, parents, counselors, teachers, and administrators to spread awareness about the program and its requirements. This bookmark is two-sided and should be printed back to front.
SSB Implementation Guide (DOCX)
The SSB Implementation Guide provides all of the information and resources needed to start an SSB program or strengthen an existing SSB program. The guide includes basic information on the SSB, best practices for building an SSB program, information on creating paths to biliteracy, a self-assessment tool, and other resources.
Presentations
Presentation slides and recorded webinar coming soon.
Participation Data
2022-23 Participation Data
2022–23 List of Districts and Schools Participating (XLSX)
Each tab on the Excel spreadsheet represents a different participating county. List includes participating districts and schools by county for the 2022–23 school year and the number of seals awarded by county and district in each language.
2022–23 Districts Awarding the SSB in Less Commonly Awarded Languages
This page lists the counties and districts that awarded the SSB in less common languages during the 2022–23 school year.
This Excel spreadsheet includes data on the number of current and former English learner (EL) students who earned the SSB in 2022–23 by county and district. This data includes students currently classified as EL students at the time they earned the seal as well as students who reclassified prior to earning the seal (at any time, kindergarten through grade 12).
Historical Participation Data
2021–22 List of Districts and Schools Participating (XLSX)
Each tab on the Excel spreadsheet represents a different participating county. List includes participating districts and schools by county for the 2021-22 school year and the number of seals awarded by county and district in each language.
2021–22 Districts Awarding the SSB in Less Commonly Awarded Languages
This page lists the counties and districts that awarded the SSB in less common languages during the 2021–22 school year.
2021–22 Participating Current and Former English Learners (XLSX)
This Excel spreadsheet includes data on the number of current and former EL students who earned the SSB in 2021–22 by county and district. This data includes students currently classified as EL students at the time they earned the seal as well as students who reclassified prior to earning the seal (at any time, kindergarten through grade 12).
2020–21 Districts Awarding the SSB in Less Commonly Awarded Languages
This page lists the counties and districts that awarded the SSB in less common languages during the 2020–21 school year.
2020–21 Participating Current and Former English Learners (XLSX)
This Excel spreadsheet includes data on the number of current and former EL students who earned the SSB in 2020–21 by county and district. This data includes students currently classified as EL students at the time they earned the seal as well as students who reclassified prior to earning the seal (at any time, kindergarten through grade 12).
2020–21 List of Districts and Schools Participating (XLSX)
Each tab on the Excel spreadsheet represents a different participating county. List includes participating districts and schools by county for the 2020-21 school year and the number of seals awarded by county and district in each language.
2019–20 Districts Awarding the SSB in Less Commonly Awarded Languages (DOCX)
This document lists the counties and districts that awarded the SSB in less common languages during the 2019–20 school year.
2019–20 Participating Current and Former English Learners (XLSX)
This Excel spreadsheet includes data on the number of current and former EL students who earned the SSB in 2019–20 by county and district. This data includes students currently classified as EL students at the time they earned the seal as well as students who reclassified prior to earning the seal (at any time kindergarten through grade 12).
2019–20 List of Districts and Schools Participating (XLSX)
Each tab on the Excel spreadsheet represents a different participating county. List includes participating districts and schools by county for the 2019–20 school year and the number of seals awarded by county and district in each language.
2018–19 Districts Awarding the SSB in Less Commonly Awarded Languages (DOCX)
This document lists the counties and districts that awarded the SSB in less common languages during the 2018–19 school year.
2018–19 List of Districts and Schools Participating (XLSX)
Each tab on the Excel spreadsheet represents a different participating county. List includes participating districts and schools by county for the 2018–19 school year and the number of seals awarded by county and district in each language.
2017–18 List of Districts and Schools Participating (XLSX)
Each tab on the Excel spreadsheet represents a different participating county. List includes participating districts and schools by county for the 2017–18 school year and the number of seals awarded by county and district in each language.
2016–17 List of Districts and Schools Participating (XLSX)
Each tab on the Excel spreadsheet represents a different participating county. List includes participating districts and schools by county for the 2016–17 school year and the number of seals awarded by county and district in each language.
2015–16 List of Districts and Schools Participating (XLSX)
Each tab on the Excel spreadsheet represents a different participating county. List includes participating districts and schools by county for the 2015–16 school year and the number of seals awarded by county and district in each language.
2014–15 List of Districts and Schools Participating (XLSX)
Each tab on the Excel spreadsheet represents a different participating county. List includes participating districts and schools by county for the 2014–15 school year and the number of seals awarded by county and district in each language.
2013–14 List of Districts and Schools Participating (XLSX)
Each tab on the Excel spreadsheet represents a different participating county. List includes participating districts and schools by county for the 2013–14 school year and the number of seals awarded by county and district in each language.
Requirements
Please note, the requirements beginning with the 2023–24 school year have been amended per Assembly Bill 370 is currently in the legislative process. The information and resources below have been updated to reflect the new requirements effective January 1, 2024. These requirements apply beginning with 2024 graduates.
2023–24 SSB Requirements Flyer (PDF)
The SSB Requirements Flyer is a resource that may be distributed to districts, schools, students, and families to communicate the requirements for earning the SSB. This flyer reflects updated eligibility requirements established in California Education Code (EC) Section 51461.
SSB Eligibility Tracker for Schools and Districts (XLSX)
The SSB Eligibility Tracker is an optional resource for internal school or district use to track eligible students and ensure that they meet the SSB eligibility requirements. This checklist reflects the requirements established in EC Section 51461.
Letter Regarding SSB Data Collection on the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS)
This letter explains how SSB data is collected on CALPADS and how SSB data will be a component of the College/Career Indicator in the 2018 California School Dashboard.
Assessment List
The assessments statutorily identified for demonstrating proficiency in a language other than English are the Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and SAT II* (AP, IB, and SAT II).
The assessment list below is provided as an optional resource to identify locally approved assessments where a local educational agency (LEA) does not use one of the statutorily identified assessments (California Education Code [EC] Section 51461[c]).
LEA-Approved World Language Assessments
If you have questions about a locally approved assessment or an LEA’s approval process, please contact that LEA directly. This list is compiled from self-reported data submitted by LEAs through the online Insignia Request Form during the 2022–23 school year.
