Seal of Biliteracy

Discover more about the use and benefits of the seal that bilingual students can get on their high school diplomas in many states
English Learners Do Schools Value the Bilingualism of English-Learners?
What started out as an effort to promote educational equity for English-language learners in California may be morphing into something else as more states pass legislation that honors high school graduates who demonstrate fluency in two or more languages with a special "seal of biliteracy."
Corey Mitchell, January 11, 2019
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2 min read
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Daryn Ray for Education Week
English Learners Reported Essay The Truth About Bilingualism: It's Only for Some Students
The widespread embrace of foreign-language instruction is raising some uncomfortable questions. Corey Mitchell explains the inclusion problem at the heart of bilingual education.
Corey Mitchell, January 8, 2019
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7 min read
English Learners Will Every State Offer Special Recognition for Its Bilingual Graduates?
Forty-three states and the District of Columbia offer special recognition for high school graduates who demonstrate fluency in two or more languages. Just a handful of mostly rural states have yet to be swept up in the movement.
Corey Mitchell, July 26, 2018
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4 min read
School & District Management News in Brief Nearly Half of States Now Offering Biliteracy Seals
Twenty-two states and the District of Columbia are now promoting bilingualism among K-12 students by offering the seal of biliteracy—special recognition on high school diplomas for graduates who demonstrate fluency in two or more languages.
Corey Mitchell, October 4, 2016
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1 min read
English Learners Nearly Half of U.S. States Offer Special Recognition for Bilingual Graduates
Tens of thousands of students are earning the honors each year. More than 40,000 students in California, the birthplace of the biliteracy seal, earned the special recognition last school year.
Corey Mitchell, September 28, 2016
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2 min read
English Learners Utah Unveils New Wrinkle For Seal of Biliteracy Honor
Starting with the graduating class of 2017, Utah will offer a two-tier seal of biliteracy to recognize students who demonstrate fluency in two or more languages.
Corey Mitchell, January 6, 2016
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3 min read
First grader Aston Prieto, 6, uses magnetic letters to form words in Italian at the Franklin International Language Academy in Glendale, Calif. The district, home to seven dual-language-immersion elementary schools, was the first to recognize its graduates for achieving biliteracy. California later adopted a statewide Seal of Biliteracy, the first state to do so.
First grader Aston Prieto, 6, uses magnetic letters to form words in Italian at the Franklin International Language Academy in Glendale, Calif. The district, home to seven dual-language-immersion elementary schools, was the first to recognize its graduates for achieving biliteracy. California later adopted a statewide Seal of Biliteracy, the first state to do so.
Emile Wamsteker for Education Week
Federal More States and Districts Embrace Biliteracy
Shifting demographics and economic interests are transforming views on multilingual education around the country.
Corey Mitchell, October 6, 2015
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6 min read
English Learners Miami-Dade Schools to Offer Seal of Biliteracy
Miami-Dade joins the District of Columbia, Chicago and a growing number of states in offering the special recognition for students.
Corey Mitchell, September 11, 2015
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2 min read
School & District Management Seal of Biliteracy Coming to D.C. Schools
To earn the seal, D.C. students must demonstrate "cultural and communicative competency" in English and another language.
Corey Mitchell, May 12, 2015
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1 min read
English Learners D.C. Schools to Offer Seal of Biliteracy
To earn the seal, D.C. students must demonstrate "cultural and communicative competency" in English and another language.
Corey Mitchell, May 12, 2015
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1 min read
Equity & Diversity News in Brief Recommendations Drafted for Seal of Biliteracy
Four national professional groups have banded together to draft recommendations for a seal of biliteracy—a special recognition on high school diplomas and transcripts for graduates who demonstrate fluency in two or more languages.
Corey Mitchell, April 14, 2015
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1 min read
English Learners Catching Up on Statewide Efforts to Promote Bilingualism
Biliteracy seal bills are under consideration in the Indiana, Massachusetts, Nevada, Rhode Island, Utah, and Virginia state legislatures. Several states with large English-language learner enrollment, including California, New York, and Texas, have already approved laws.
Corey Mitchell, April 2, 2015
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3 min read
Equity & Diversity Latino Studies Curriculum, Biliteracy Seal Coming to Chicago Schools
Earning the seal could open the door for college scholarships, internships, and jobs that require proficiency in a second language, educators say.
Corey Mitchell, March 4, 2015
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2 min read
English Learners Chicago Schools to Offer Biliteracy Seal, Latino Studies Curriculum
Earning the seal could open the door for college scholarships, internships, and jobs that require proficiency in a second language, educators say.
Corey Mitchell, March 4, 2015
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2 min read
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