Bilingual Seal
Volcano Vista High School offers the following languages with a bilingual seal:
Spanish
French
Volcano Vista students may obtain the NM State Seal of Bilingualism and Biliteracy in any language we teach (or via CEC) upon successful completion of two requirements: earning 4 high school credits (4 years) of the same world language course (earning a C or better each semester per their transcripts)Â and passing a language proficiency assessment in their 4th year of language study. The seal allows a student to wear an honor cord at graduation and have a seal affixed to their diploma. The seal is granted in demonstration of student bilingualism officially recognized by the state. They may include this info on college/scholarship/job applications and resumes. Research shows bilingual employees can typically earn 15% more than non-bilinguals on average depending on the field.
The assessment APS is currently using is called the STAMP 4S test, students can access practice tests and info on their website here ; they must score Intermediate Mid (5) or higher in all 4 areas: Speaking, Writing, Reading, Listening. Students may also take the AAPPL exam or provide scores of 3+ on the AP exam to earn the seal. Elizabeth Taylor coordinates the testing and reporting for the school, APS orders the assessments and provides the regalia.
The biggest challenges we tend to see with our seniors are that they failed or got a D in a class taken years before, again, they must have a C or better, so if this happens, they would need to repeat the class at eCademy to get a higher grade if they would like to earn the seal. We encourage students to begin their language journey as 9th graders, but if they don't, we have seen students take their credits at eCademy or dual credit CNM and earn the seal.
Our Languages department chair is Elizabeth Taylor - taylor_el@aps.edu - 505-890-0343 Ext. 37133
Other languages that Volcano Vista High School offers, but does not have a seal for is:
Russian
