Seal of Biliteracy

Did you know that students who reach a 4th year or Advanced Placement (AP) level in world language may qualify for the California State Seal of Biliteracy award?  This award recognizes high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in one or more languages, in addition to English. Please encourage your child to continue their world language study and speak to their counselor for more information about this prestigious award. 

While there are countless benefits to earning the Seal of Biliteracy, these are among the most salient for students:

• encourages the further study of languages
• identifies high school graduates with bilingual communication skills for future employers
• provides universities with additional information about applicants seeking admission
• prepares students with 21st century skills
• recognizes the value of foreign and native language instruction in schools
• affirms the value of cultural and linguistic diversity in a multilingual society

SFUSD’s Multilingual Pathways Department collaborates with high schools to promote the Seal of Biliteracy and recognize Seal earners. The Seal of Biliteracy originated in California and was signed into law in October 2011, with the first California Seals of Biliteracy being issued in early 2012.

How to earn the Seal of Biliteracy in SFUSD?

DEMONSTRATE ENGLISH PROFICIENCY THROUGH ONE OF THE FOLLOWING METHODS:

COURSEWORK:

• Complete all English language arts requirements for graduation with an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in those classes. 

OR ASSESSMENT (CHOOSE ONE):

• Option 1: 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.
• Option 2: Advanced Placement (AP) Assessment: 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).
• Option 3: SAT: Achieve a score of 480 or above on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section of the SAT

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)

DEMONSTRATE PROFICIENCY IN ONE OR MORE LANGUAGES, OTHER THAN ENGLISH, THROUGH ONE OF THE FOLLOWING METHODS:

COURSEWORK:

• Successfully complete a four-year course of study in a world language at the high school or higher level (CCSF Concurrent Enrollment), attaining an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher in that course of study, and demonstrate oral proficiency in the language comparable to that required to pass an AP or IB examination.

OR ASSESSMENT (CHOOSE ONE):

• Option 1: AP: Pass a world language AP examination with a score of 3 or higher,
• Option 2: District-Approved Assessment: Pass a school district language examination that, at a minimum, assesses speaking, reading, and writing in a language other than English at the proficient level or higher. SFUSD-created assessment for Arabic, Filipino, Korean, Russian or Vietnamese. (Registration link)

Download a one-pager with the Seal of Biliteracy Requirements here.