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.
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Students earned the Seal of Biliteracy at graduation in May 2019
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.
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Proficiency in multiple languages, including English, makes important contributions to a student’s cognitive development, understanding of diverse cultures, and economic opportunities.
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Fluency in multiple languages is a critical element in enabling our city and state to participate effectively in a global political, social, and economic context.
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The demand for employees to be fluent in more than one language is high and increasing in Colorado and throughout the world.
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Multilingual skills are needed to build trust and understanding across the multiple language and cultural groups in our diverse community.
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Providing universities with a certification allows them to give credit and recognition to applicants for attainment of high level skills in multiple languages
2020 Application Coming Soon
Applications must be submitted by February 21, 2020. Please see below for requirements and FAQs prior to applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Seal of Biliteracy?
- What are the requirements to earn the Seal?
- How many BVSD students earned the seal in 2019?
What is the Seal of Biliteracy?
In March 2017 Colorado signed into law SB17-123 that gives school districts authority to grant a diploma endorsement in biliteracy to a student who demonstrates proficiency in English and at least one other language. The bill established the requirements a graduating high school student must meet to obtain the biliteracy endorsement.
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 Literacy in English
Must complete 1 of the following:
| Criteria | 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 |
OR
Cumulative weighted 3.0 GPA across all Language Arts Classes (40 credits) required for Graduation from BVSD
3. Show literacy in a world language
Must complete 1 of the following:
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
| World Language Advanced Placement (AP) Exam, including American Sign Language | ≥3 |
| World Language Portion of an International Baccalaureate (IB) examination | ≥4 |
| Completes world language study through level 5 of higher | ≥ 3.0 GPA |
| If none of the options above exist in BVSD, the student may request a meeting with the BVSD Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education Department to review additional options to meet the World Language Requirement. |
How many BVSD students earned the seal in 2019?
Contact Us
Yamil Herrera
Language Assessment Administrative Assistant
720-561-5214