Seal of Biliteracy
What is the Ohio Seal of Biliteracy?
The Ohio Seal of Biliteracy is an award given by Bexley City Schools and the Ohio Department of Education in recognition of students who have attained proficiency in English and at least one additional language by high school graduation. 49 states and the District of Columbia currently have laws recognizing the Seal of Biliteracy. Our goal is to help students recognize and celebrate the value of their multilingualism. The seal is affixed on the graduating senior's transcript and/or diploma, indicating that the student has been awarded a state recognized Seal of Biliteracy. The seal is also one of the formally recognized state diploma seals qualifying for graduation. Celebrating multilingualism benefits students, families, schools, and the larger communities. Multilingualism has significant academic, economic, and sociocultural benefits for our students.
Who can earn the Ohio Seal of Biliteracy?
All Bexley juniors and seniors in good standing to earn a high school diploma -and- within 15 months of graduating can earn a Seal of Biliteracy. Bexley Honors/AP French, Spanish, and Latin students will have the seal managed through their world language classroom.
Furthermore, it is critical that ALL students have pathways to formally recognize their languages. Our multilingual students are encouraged to pursue the Seal of Biliteracy. This includes students who speak another language at home, have studied abroad, or who have extensively studied an additional language not offered through Bexley City Schools. The Ohio Seal of Biliteracy can be earned in less common languages as well. Bexley's multilingual students attempting the seal were featured in a district newsletter. Read more here.
What are the benefits of earning the Seal of Biliteracy?
From the Office of English Language Acquisition and the U.S. Department of Education
What are the requirements to earn the Ohio Seal of Biliteracy?
Students must answer “Yes” to all questions below:
1. Is the student eligible to earn a high school diploma and currently a senior or junior in good standing within 15 months of graduation?
2. Has the student met one of the English proficiency requirements?
a. Earned a proficient level or higher on Ohio’s required state tests for high school English language arts I and II
-or-
b. Earned a remediation-free score on the English and reading sections of the ACT or SAT
-or-
c. Earned a proficient level or higher on an Ohio Department of Education-approved alternative assessment (TerraNova or Iowa Test)
-or-
d. Earned a score of proficient or higher on the 9-12 OELPA
3. Has the student satisfied one of the foreign language proficiency requirements?
a. Pass an AP foreign language examination with a score of 4 or higher within 15 months of graduation. (Bexley Honors/AP Spanish, French, and Latin teachers will manage their students' Seal of Biliteracy testing.)
-or-
b. Attain a score of intermediate high or higher using assessments approved by the Ohio Department of Education within 15 months of graduation. (For an explanation of intermediate high, see information in the FAQs section below.)
*Most Bexley students will use either STAMP 4S or STAMP WS. If the desired language is unavailable through STAMP 4S or WS, accommodations can be made to test through another vendor.
How can I apply for the Ohio Seal of Biliteracy?
Bexley juniors and seniors can apply for the Ohio Seal of Biliteracy by using this link. Students must complete the application and required paperwork no later than February 23rd within the academic year that they wish to assess. *NOTE* If you are taking the seal through your French, Spanish, or Latin class, do NOT use the above link. Your seal will be managed through your classroom teacher.
Additional Seal of Biliteracy information and resources from the Ohio Department of Education can be found here.
FAQs:
I speak another language at home. I've never had formal education in this language. How can I determine my proficiency level in reading, writing, speaking, and listening?
The seal requires at least an intermediate high level of proficiency in the language. The intermediate high level of proficiency aligns with the ACTFL guidelines. Examples demonstrating an intermediate high level of proficiency can be found at the links below. While each language is unique in its level of difficulty, it is often stated that intermediate high is comparable to 4-5 years of study in a traditional classroom setting.
Complete ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines are available below in multiple languages. Click on Resources & Publications tab:
ACTFL CAN-DO Statements show what language users at varying levels can consistently do over time:
https://www.actfl.org/sites/default/files/can-dos/Intermediate%20Can-Do%20Statements.pdf
A very helpful intermediate high self-reflection tool from the Global Seal website:
Benchmark levels and rubrics for STAMP 4S and WS:
https://avantassessment.com/stamp-benchmarks-rubric-guide
What is the format of the additional language test, and what can I do to prepare?
Preparation and understanding the testing format are essential to successfully earning the seal. Most Bexley students will take either the STAMP 4S or the STAMP WS assessments offered through Avant Assessment. In most cases, reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills are assessed. Avant offers sample tests in many languages, writing samples, test length and format, and video tutorials on their website. Visit their website and links below to familiarize yourself with the assessment and develop a plan to prepare.
Sample STAMP tests in multiple languages: https://avantassessment.com/sample-tests
STAMP user guides: https://avantassessment.com/guides
STAMP writing samples in multiple languages: https://avantassessment.com/writing-examples
STAMP video tutorials with tips and strategies: https://avantassessment.com/video-tutorials
STAMP Power-UP guide with strategies to improve your STAMP results: https://avantassessment.com/stamp-test-taker-power-up-guide
What languages are offered through STAMP 4S and STAMP WS?
STAMP 4S is available in Arabic, English, French, German, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin (simplified and traditional), Polish, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian & Spanish.
STAMP WS is available in Amharic, Armenian, Cabo Verdean, Chin (Hakha), Chuukese, Czech, Filipino (Tagalog), Haitian Creole, Hawaiian (‘Ōlelo Hawai’i), Hmong, Ilocano, Kannada, Marathi, Marshallese, Samoan, Somali Maay Maay, Somali Maxaa, Swahili*, Tamil, Telugu, Turkish, Ukrainian – Coming soon!, Urdu, Vietnamese, Yoruba*, Yup’ik, & Zomi *Reading, Writing, Speaking tests
What if I want to assess in a less common language not included as part of STAMP 4S or STAMP WS (Avant Assessment)?
In cases where your language is not offered through Avant Assessment, Bexley will work with you to find and select a vendor that offers your language.
When do I take the additional language test?
The test is be proctored during the spring quarter of your junior or senior year. The assessment must be proctored at school in the presence of a teacher. Specific dates and details will be shared with students far in advance so that there is adequate time to plan.
When can I expect to receive my results of the additional language assessment?
It depends on the vendor used, but most test results are available within several weeks of testing.
Is there a cost?
With the support of the Bexley Education Foundation, assessment costs are covered for one language assessment per student, per academic year, per language .
What if I am unsuccessful on my additional language assessment during my junior year, can I try again during my senior year?
Yes.
I am attempting the Seal of Biliteracy in my Honors/AP French, Spanish, or Latin class, but I also use an additional language at home? Is it possible to earn multiple seals in multiple languages?
Yes. You can apply for the additional seal(s) through the link above.
I speak French/Spanish at home but do not take AP French/Spanish at Bexley. Can I still earn a French/Spanish Seal of Biliteracy?
Yes. You can apply for the seal through the link above.
Contact questions: alison.nakasako@bexley.us or nate.maier@bexley.us
**If you are an Honors/AP French, Spanish, or Latin student and have questions about how the seal is offered within the classroom, please contact your world language teacher**