State Seal of Biliteracy

Seal of BiliteracyPurpose of the State Seal of Biliteracy

The California State Seal of Biliteracy (SSB) was established to recognize 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.

The purposes of the SSB are to encourage pupils to study languages, to certify attainment of biliteracy, to provide employers with a method of identifying people with language and biliteracy skills, to provide universities with a method to recognize and give academic credit to applicants seeking admission, to prepare pupils with 21st century skills, to recognize and promote foreign language instruction in public schools, and to strengthen intergroup relationships, affirm the value of diversity, and honor the multiple cultures and languages of a community (California Education Code Section 51460).

Assembly Bill 370 has updated the requirements for the State Seal of Biliteracy.  These changes are reflected below, are effective January 1, 2024, and apply to the class of 2024.

State Seal of Biliteracy Requirements

A student who graduates from high school must have achieved a high level of literacy and fluency in one or more language(s) in addition to English to be awarded the SSB.

The student must demonstrate:

English proficiency through one of the following methods:

      1. Coursework:  Complete all English language arts requirements for graduation with an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in those classes.
      2. State Assessment:  Pass the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress for English language arts administered in grade 11, at or above the “standard met” achievement level.
      3. Advanced Placement® (AP®) Exam:  Pass an English AP examination with a score of 3 or higher (AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature or Composition, or AP Seminar).

Proficiency in one or more languages, other than English, through one of the following methods:

      1. Coursework: Successfully complete a four-year course of study in a world language at the high school or higher level, attaining an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher in that course of study,
      2. Advanced Placement® (AP®) Exam:  Pass a world language AP examination with a score of 3 or higher.

Additional English Proficiency Requirement for English Learners Only:

In addition to the requirements mentioned above, students who are classified as English learners must attain an oral language composite score of level 4 on the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC). or any previous or successor state English language proficiency assessment, in transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, or any of grades one to twelve, inclusive (EC Section 51461).

State Seal of Biliteracy FAQs (external site)

 

If you have any further questions regarding the State Seal of Biliteracy, please contact your school site directly.

Last Updated: November 9, 2023