SAN JOSE, CA – On April 24, schools throughout Santa Clara County were recognized for their efforts in supporting students to acquire proficiency in two or more languages upon graduation or grade promotion. The celebration, Launching Global Leaders, emphasized multilingualism as a skill that prepares students to become leaders locally and globally. 

Keynote speaker, Andres Martinez, shared his educational journey as a bilingual student, noting his success would not be without the support of educators. As the Program Executive at Mars Campaign Office at NASA, he has earned numerous recognitions and emphasized the importance of language in career skills. 

The event featured recognition for 56 high schools that participated in the State Seal of Biliteracy, 28 schools in Biliteracy Attainment Pathways, and 13 schools for the Biliteracy Program Participation Pathways. The State Seal of Biliteracy, marked by a gold seal on the diploma or transcript, recognizes high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing one or more languages in addition to English. The Biliteracy Pathway Recognitions recognize preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school students who participate in programs leading to biliteracy or have demonstrated progress toward proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing in one or more languages in addition to English.

Santa Clara County is among the top three counties (out of 58) in the state for the number of students who received the Seal of Biliteracy in the 2023-24 school year. It also ranks top four in the number of students participating in the Biliteracy Pathway Programs in the 2023-24 school year. 

For resources, please visit https://www.sccoe.org/sclis/sealofbiliteracy/Pages/default.aspx 

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