Pathway to Biliteracy
What is the Pathway to Biliteracy Award?
The Pathway to Biliteracy is earned by students at the end of 8th grade. They will receive an award at the 8th grade award ceremony. It shows that students are on the path towards earning the Wyoming Seal of Biliteracy at high school graduation.
Why would I want to earn this award?
The Wyoming Seal of Biliteracy encourages students to pursue proficiency in two or more languages. It honors the abilities of both our advanced language students and our students who use languages other than English at home and are literate in their first and second languages. The Wyoming Seal of Biliteracy provides evidence of skills that our students have that are of great value to both future employers and college admissions offices and is recognized nationwide. Recipients of the Wyoming Seal of Biliteracy will have a notation on their transcripts, a seal affixed to their diploma, and wear special cords during graduation.
The Pathway to Biliteracy recognizes eighth grade students that are on a path that will lead them to biliteracy by high school graduation. It will encourage them to continue their studies of both English and a second language as they enter high school as they work towards earning the full Seal of Biliteracy. Plus, you get a cool plaque!
Who can receive the award?
The Pathway to Biliteracy Award is open to any CYMS student who shows proficiency in English AND another language. Students do not have to be currently enrolled in a world language course to be eligible.
What are the requirements?
English- (As determined by Language Arts assessments)
*Students must earn grade level or higher proficiency by Spring of 8th grade.
*Students must have proficient writing on classroom assessments
Other Language-
*Students must perform at a proficiency level of intermediate low on at least two of the four AAPPL Assessments and at least a level of novice high on the others when they are administered in April.
General-
*Students must complete an essay on the importance of learning a second language.
Does it cost anything to pursue this award?
The cost of testing is $20 per student (which covers the four AAPPL tests). Students who have demonstrated proficiency at the required levels (novice high to intermediate low) in a world language course at CY can be offered a scholarship to cover the cost of testing. Any other student who wishes to pursue the Pathway to Biliteracy Award must cover the cost of testing on his/her own*.
*The AAPPL tests are required for all level 2 Spanish and 8th grade DLI students and costs for the tests are covered by CYMS.