Diamond BarHigh School

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ACADEMICS » State Seal of Biliteracy

State Seal of Biliteracy

WHAT IS THE STATE SEAL OF BILITERACY?

The State Seal of Biliteracy was authorized by AB815 and became effective January 1, 2012.  The program recognizes 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.  Appearing on the transcript of the graduating senior, 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 college admission or employment.

 

GOALS

In awarding the Seal of Biliteracy to graduating seniors who meet the requirements, the Walnut Valley Unified School District seeks to:

  • Prepare students to become global citizens in a multicultural, multilingual world;

  • Encourage students to develop and maintain biliteracy and multilingual skills;

  • Recognize and honor our rich and diverse language assets;

  • Promote world language instruction in our schools;

  • Promote the development of language and cultural appreciation and cross-cultural understanding;

  • Encourage the development of foreign, native, and heritage language programs in schools and provide employers with a method of identifying individuals with language and biliteracy skills.

 
REQUIREMENTS
1)  Students must demonstrate proficiency in English through ONE of the following methods:
  • Coursework:  Complete all English requirements for graduation with an overall GPA of 3.0 in those classes OR
  • Assessment:  (CHOOSE ONE FROM BELOW):
    • Option 1:  State Assessment - Pass the CAASPP for English (Grade 11) by demonstrating at or above "standard met" achievement level.
    • Option 2:  AP Exam - Pass an AP English (Language or Literature) with a score of 3 or higher.
    • Option 3:  IB Exam - Pass an IB English exam with a score of 4 or higher.
    • Option 4:  SAT Exam - Earn a score of 480 or above on the evidence-based reading and writing sections of the SAT exam.
 
In addition to demonstrating proficiency in English, students must also demonstrate proficiency in one or more other languages.  Please see this requirement below.
 
2)  Students must demonstrate proficiency in another language through ONE of the following methods:
  • Coursework:  Complete a four-year course of study in a World Language at the high school (or higher level) with an overall GPA of 3.0 (or higher) in those classes AND demonstrate oral proficiency in the language comparable to that required to pass an AP or IB exam OR
  • Assessment:  (CHOOSE ONE FROM BELOW):
    • Option 1: AP Exam - Pass a World Language AP exam with a score of 3 or higher.
    • Option 2:  IB Exam - Pass an IB exam with a score of 4 or higher.
 
Students interested in being recognized for exemplary achievement in languages, should speak to their World Language Teacher, GLC or the Instructional Dean for World Languages, Ms. Flores ([email protected]). 
 
Currently, all students enrolled in a World Language course have received information about the State Seal of Biliteracy in their class. 
 
Note:  There is no application for the State Seal of Biliteracy. Diamond Bar High School monitors student eligibility and notifies eligible seniors of the recognition. Students are encouraged to monitor their progress towards eligibility during summer registration appointments or at other convenient times with their GLC. Students are eligible for the seal if the requirements as outlined above are met (pending any revisions from the state of California Department of Education).