Bi-Literacy Seal
California State Seal of Biliteracy
The State Seal of Biliteracy is an award given to graduating high school students who have studied and attained proficiency in English and one or more languages. Fremont Unified School District (FUSD) identifies candidates for this award, verifies their language skills, and publicly recognizes students for exemplary achievement.
The purposes of the State Seal of Biliteracy 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 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 [EC] Section 51460.
Eligibility
Graduating High School students wishing to receive the California State Seal of Biliteracy must meet all the following requirements:
1) Complete all English-language arts requirements for graduation with an overall grade point average of 2.0 or above in those classes.
AND
2) Score at the “proficient” level or above on the 11th Grade California Standards Test in English-language arts.
AND
3) Demonstrate proficiency in one or more languages in addition to English.
Options for Meeting World Language Proficiency CriteriaProficiency in language(s) other than English must be determined through one of the following methods:
- Score 3 or higher on a world language Advanced Placement exam
- Score 4 or higher on a foreign language International Baccalaureate exam
- Score 600 or higher on the Scholastic Assessment Test II foreign language examination
- Successfully complete a 4-year high school course of study in a world language with a grade point average of 3.0 or above in that course of study
- Score “proficient” level or higher on a district or county language exam that assesses speaking, reading, and writing in a language other than English.
If a student is showing World Language proficiency criteria with a 3 or higher on a World Language AP exam or successful completion of 4 years of study with a gpa of 3.0 or higher, the student will not need to submit any qualifying paperwork. District records will be used to generate a list of qualifying students.
If a student is showing World Language proficiency criteria with a 4 or higher on an IB exam, 600 or higher on an SAT II World Language exam, or proficiency on a county language exam, proof of qualification must be submitted with documentation of the scores. Qualifying scores must be sent to Assistant Principal Sharma and received by Friday, April 8, 2022 to ensure diplomas correctly reflect this achievement.
Students whose primary language is not English
Students must meet all English Language Proficiency criteria (above) AND attain proficiency on the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC).
For more information from the State of California: