Information for Schools

The Seal of Biliteracy is an award endorsed by the Agency of Education in 2020. The VFLA administers the award in recognition of students who have studied and attained proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation.  The Seal encourages students to pursue biliteracy, honors the skills they have attained, and serves as evidence of skills that are attractive to future employers and college admissions offices.

Four national organizations collaborated to draft recommendations for the implementation of the Seal of Biliteracy:  The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), the National Association of Bilingual Education (NABE), the National Council of State Supervisors for Languages, and TESOL International Association.  

Eligibility:

All students are eligible to attain the Seal based on evidence of achieving the required level of language proficiency in English plus one or more other languages during their high school years, whether that might be a heritage language, or a language learned in school or another setting. Bilteracy refers to having a functional level of proficiency in each language; the level of proficiency for all languages need not be identical. Evidence of English proficiency, for both Native English speaker and English Language learners, will be provided through a transcript.

Native English speakers and English Language learners need to provide evidence of proficiency in their first language. Native English speakers need a minimum target level of Intermediate Mid based on the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines. [ADD SENTENCE FOR EL SPEAKERS] The student should demonstrate proficiency in the modes of communication appropriate for that language, keeping in mind that not all languages have all modes of communication.  The language performance should be demonstrated in both social and academic (content-based) use of the language, where possible.

For many languages, including English, specific assessments exist and provide a valid and reliable means of measuring students’ performance.  Any assessment used needs to evaluate students’ use of the language, not knowledge about the language.  It is recommended that schools help students maintain a portfolio of language performance, tracking improvement and progress toward the level required for the Seal of Biliteracy. 

English:

It is recommended that proficiency in English is demonstrated by meeting English Language Arts requirements for high school graduation or by demonstrating proficiency on a validated test of proficiency for English Learners. [ADD SENTENCE RE: WIDA SCORE]  A student’s transcript would provide evidence of proficiency.

Other languages:

Some languages may have unique requirements that may require special allowances.  For example, not all languages have writing systems; not all languages are spoken.  Students seeking the Seal for languages with unique characteristics will demonstrate the expected level of proficiency on an assessment of the modes that characterize the communication in that language.

Demonstration of Proficiency

It is recommended that proficiency in languages other than English is demonstrated via a validated test, when possible.  A portfolio option is also included below. Examples of include but are not limited to:

Students may submit a portfolio of work including an oral interview, an oral presentation, and a writing sample that will be assessed by a panel of speakers of that language.

Equitable access to the Seal of Biliteracy is required, regardless of students’ language background or any identified condition that may exclude demonstration of proficiency in one of the modes of communication, such as blindness, deafness or hearing impairment, cognitive or learning disabilities.  All students should receive information on the Seal upon entering middle and high school so that they are able to organize their schedules and meet the requirements to achieve this honor.  Accommodations, such as those already in place for state-required assessments of language, should be included for assessments used to qualify for the Seal of Biliteracy.  Technology provides the resources and means to make assessments available to all students.

Awarding of the Seal

The Seal of Biliteracy should be awarded on or before high school graduation.   Recognizing that certain exam scores are not returned prior to graduation, the VFLA and AOE will ensure that the eligible students will receive their award. Schools may choose to do any of the following recognitions:

  • Add the Seal of the high school diploma or transcript 

  • Display on a certificate of medal awarded to the student

  • Note on the high school transcript, as this is the credential that is viewed by colleges, universities, and future employers

  • Award of the Seal may be visible at graduation and senior award ceremonies

  • Notify local media outlets of student accomplishments