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Seal of Biliteracy

Language is an Asset

The Seal of Biliteracy is for all students who achieve a high level of proficiency in English and another language.

Earning the Seal of Biliteracy can help set you apart in your college and career paths.

Purpose for offering the Seal of Biliteracy in BVSD

We are committed to motivating and encouraging every student with a high school preparation program leading to graduation and college and career readiness. We seek to create the environment where:

The bilingual/multilingual identities of our students in the classroom and the community are a valued asset.
Proficiency in multiple languages, including English, makes important contributions to a student’s cognitive development, understanding of diverse cultures, and economic opportunities.
Providing universities with the Seal of Biliteracy certification allows them to give credit and recognition to applicants for attainment of high level skills in multiple languages.
Multilingual skills are needed to build trust and understanding across the multiple language and cultural groups in our diverse community.
The demand for employees to be fluent in more than one language is high and increasing in Colorado and throughout the world.
Fluency in multiple languages is a critical element in enabling citizens of our city and state to participate effectively in a global political, social, and economic context.

621

Students earned the Seal of Biliteracy at graduation in 2024

Contact Us

Yamil Herrera
Language Assessment Specialist
720-561-5214

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Seal of Biliteracy?

What are the requirements to earn the Seal?

The Colorado Seal of Biliteracy is awarded to graduating high school students who can read, speak, listen and write at a high level in English, as well as another language. In order to earn the Seal, students must demonstrate their high proficiency in both English and another language using the approved criteria below.

1. Complete all graduation requirements

Students must fulfill all BVSD graduation requirements in order to earn the Seal. Students who are not yet high school seniors may complete all other requirements prior to their senior year.

2. Show Proficiency in English

Must complete 1 of the following:

Criteria	Minimum Score
ACT Composite English	18
SAT Evidence Based Reading and Writing Portion	470
AP English language test	3
AP literature test	3
IB English Language and Literature test	4

3. Show proficiency in a world language

Coming in January of 2023 to BVSD's list of languages assessed from AVANT: Latin and American Sign Language.

Must complete 1 of the following:

Language	AP Test	IB Test	AVANT STAMP 4S test	AVANT World Speak	AAPPL Test	ASLPI	SLPI
Minmum Score	3	4	Intermediate-high	Intermediate-high	Intermediate-high	3	Intermediate-Plus
Arabic			X
Chinese	X
French	X	X	X
German	X	X	X
Greek		X
Hebrew			X
Hindi			X
Italian	X		X
Japanese	X		X
Korean			X
Latin	X	X
Mandarin			X
Polish			X
Portuguese			X
Russian			X
Spanish	X	X	X
Thai					X
Amharic, Armenian, Chin (Hakha), Czech, Filipino (Tagalog), Haitian-Creole, Hmong, Ilocano, Marathi, Samoan, Somali Maay Maay, Somali Maxaa, Tamil, Telugu, Turkish, Urdu, Vietnamese, Yup'ik				X

How will I be recognized for earning the Seal?

If you have met the English and WL requirements by April 1st, you will receive a green cord and certificate at graduation and it will be included on your final transcript.

AP and IB test results taken in the senior year are not received until July. Students taking these tests will not be able to receive a cord at graduation unless they meet the requirement in a different way; please complete an application if this situation applies to you. AVANT and AAPPL results arrive about two weeks after completing the assessment. Seniors who plan accordingly can receive results in time to meet the April 1st deadline.

What languages does BVSD assess for?

Coming in January of 2023 to BVSD's list of languages assessed from AVANT: Latin and American Sign Language.

Must complete 1 of the following:

Language	AP Test	IB Test	AVANT STAMP 4S test	AVANT STAMP WS	AAPPL Test	ASLPI
Minimum Score	3	4	Intermediate-high	Intermediate-high	Intermediate-high	3
ASL
Arabic			X
Chinese	X		X
French	X	X	X
German	X	X	X
Greek		X		X
Hebrew			X
Hindi			X
Italian	X		X
Japanese	X		X
Korean			X
Latin	X	X	X
Mandarin			X
Polish			X
Portuguese			X
Russian			X
Spanish	X	X	X
Thai				X	X
Amharic, Armenian, Bengali, Chaldean, Chin (Hakha), Czech, Farsi, Filipino (Tagalog), Greek, Haitian-Creole, Hmong, Ilocano, Khmer, Marathi, Nepali, Pashto, Punjabi, Samoan, Somali Maay Maay, Somali, Maxaa, Tamil, Telugu, Tigrinya, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, Vietnamese, Yup'ik				X

What if the language I speak does not have a BVSD class or have an assessment?

How do I take/pay for the AVANT and AAPPL tests?

AVANT Assessment must be paid for through Revtrak. Students will take the proficiency tests at their respective schools once the dates and times have been determined. See link for Avant Assessments: SampleTests

Log into RevtraK .
Choose assessment option to pay the registration fee:
1. STAMP4s (Arabic, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish) $24.90.
2. STAMP4s (Hebrew) $59.90.
3. STAMP WorldSpeak: (Amharic, Armenian, Chin (Hakha), Czech, Filipino (Tagalog), Haitian-Creole, Hmong, Ilocano, Marathi, Samoan, Somali Maay Maay, Somali Maxaa, Tamil, Telugu, Turkish, Urdu, Vietnamese, Yup'ik) $24.90.
4. AAPPL (Thai) $20.
5. STAMP ASL $49.90
6. STAMP (Latin-Reading) $13.90

How does the district receive assessment results?

The AVANT and AAPPL Results will be sent to the district within 2 weeks of the exam. Students will receive results from BVSD. This time frame will allow for students who achieve proficiency to receive a cord, certificate, and be recognized at graduation.

For AP and IB tests, if a student takes these exams prior to senior year, the district will receive the results on time. Students taking the IB and AP tests in their senior year will not receive results until July (after graduation) and might not receive a green cord, certificate, or be recognized at graduation. Students can submit results to the district to have the official Seal of Biliteracy printed on their transcript.

2025 Requests for Support will open on October 9th, 2024

Students who need assistance in determining if they have met the Seal criteria or how they can meet it, should complete the form below.