How do I earn the Seal of Biliteracy?

To be eligible for a Seal of Biliteracy, a student must fulfill the following requirements:

~ Meet the Maryland High School Assessment requirements in English for their graduating class.

~ Score Intermediate High Proficiency or equivalent on an approved world language assessment.

As of the 2024-2025 school year, students in Maryland must earn a composite score of a 6. This may be achieved by scoring at least a 6 on each section OR by averaging the scores from the sections.

Students have the opportunity to retest in one section (on which they did not score a 6), one time to try to raise their composite score. This is an additional cost.

Although students may test at any point during high school, the Seal of Biliteracy is not awarded until a student graduates.

WCPS uses the Avant STAMP 4S and Avant STAMP WS assessments.

The Avant STAMP 4S assesses students in Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking and can be taken in:

• Arabic

• English

• French

• German

• Hebrew

• Hindi

• Italian

• Japanese

• Korean

• Mandarin (simplified & traditional)

• Polish

• Portuguese (Brazilian)

• Russian

• Spanish

In the Avant STAMP WS students self-evaluate in Reading and Listening before being assessed in Writing and Speaking. The Avant STAMP WS can be taken in:

• Amharic

• Armenian

• Cabo Verdean

• Chin (Hakha)

• Chuukese

• Czeck

• Filipino (Tagalog)

• Haitian Creole

• Hawaiian (‘Ōlelo Hawai’i)

• Hmong

• Ilocano

• Kannada

• Marathi

• Marshallese

• Samoan

• Somali Maay Maay

• Somali Maxaa

• Tamil

• Telugu

• Turkish

• Urdu

• Vietnamese

• Yup'ik

• Zomi

Take a practice test and see the testing format by going here and selecting the language you would be taking the assessment in.

(Be sure to choose from the Avant STAMP 4S Sample Tests or the Avant STAMP WS Sample Tests.)

Please note that scores are not provided and any information seen here is solely for the purposes of allowing you to see the format of the assessment.

Ready to earn your Seal of Biliteracy?

STEP 1

Complete the Seal of Biliteracy Registration form at

https://tinyurl.com/WCPSSealofBiliteracy

Please register by the date indicated as registration deadlines cannot be extended.

STEP 2

The district has been able to secure some funding to cover the cost of testing. If you wish to have the cost of your test covered, please check the appropriate box when completing the online registration form.

You will receive an email from Mrs. Harkins about the status of your request for test payment and, if needed, directions for making payment. Tests are $24.90. Payment must be made online. Cash and check payments are NOT an option.

STEP 3

More information will be emailed to your @students.mywcps.org email approximately 1 week prior to your selected testing date.

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