Seal of Biliteracy

The California Seal of Biliteracy is a recognition conferred by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction for graduating high school students who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in one or more languages, in addition to English. 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)

Provisional Seal of Biliteracy 

Provisional Seal of Biliteracy earners are students in the process of earning the Seal of Biliteracy, but they are still missing one or more of the Seal requirements. These students can officially earn the Seal of Biliteracy in the summer after graduation when final course grades are verified or when the AP exam & ELPAC scores are posted. After verification of these requirements, Provisional Seal earners will receive a notice home with the official Seal of Biliteracy. These students can then visit the Multilingual Pathways Department office (750 25th Avenue, 2nd floor) to pick up their Seal of Biliteracy Medal.

Communication with School Sites

During the Spring semester of each year, the Multilingual Pathways Department will communicate school counselors with two lists: 

1. A list of 12th-grade students that have earned the Seal of Biliteracy by meeting the above criteria.
2. A list of 12th-grade students that are identified as Provisional Seal earners.  

The Multilingual Pathways Department will also provide school counselors with two sets of letters to send home with students: 

1. Congratulatory letters for 12th-grade students that have earned the Seal of Biliteracy by meeting the above criteria.
2. Notices for 12th-grade students who are Provisional Seal earners.

Seal of Biliteracy Award

In addition to the California State Seal of Biliteracy that will be affixed to students’ high school diplomas, each student earning the Seal of Biliteracy will receive a congratulatory letter and an official medal that can be worn during their high school graduation ceremony. Seals and medals will be sent to high school counselors or other identified liaisons in early May. We encourage each school site to award and publicly acknowledge the accomplishments of these students. This flyer offers a variety of ways in which your site may choose to celebrate.