The Santa Clara County Office of Education has launched the Seal of Biliteracy initiative. It is an effort to award high school seniors certification noting mastery attainment of two or more languages upon their graduation. A system of "pathway" awards recognizing benchmarks towards biliteracy is expected for students in preschool through high school. A countywide Seal of Biliteracy advisory group was formed in January 2010 with six districts represented, and ideas developed by this advisory group were shared at the countywide English Language Acquisition Consortium (ELAC) meetings. This webpage is dedicated to sharing resources with districts to support their endeavor in establishing the Seal of Biliteracy.
Importance of the State Seal of Biliteracy
State Seal of Biliteracy
The State Seal of Biliteracy (SSB), 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.
CDE Resources - California Department of Education
SSB Insignia Request Form from the CDE
Biliteracy Pathway Recognitions
The Biliteracy Pathway Recognitions are established to recognize preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school students who have demonstrated progress toward proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing in one or more languages in addition to English.
- Biliteracy Attainment Recognition
- The Biliteracy Attainment Recognition is available to students at the end of elementary school (the grade level depends on the program model, usually either grade five or six), and the end of middle school (the grade level depends on the program model, usually grade eight). This recognition is based on proficiency and is awarded to students who meet specific proficiency criteria in English and one or more languages in addition to English. This recognition is aligned with the State Seal of Biliteracy requirements and is an indication that if a student continues on this path in high school they will be prepared to meet the requirements to earn the State Seal of Biliteracy.
- Home Language Development Recognition
- The Home Language Development Recognition is available to emergent bilingual students with a home language other than English in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. This recognition is provided to students who demonstrate that they are continuing to develop the home language by engaging in age-appropriate activities in the home language. This recognition is an entry on the path to biliteracy or multiliteracy.
- Biliteracy Program Participation Recognition
- The Biliteracy Program Participation Recognition is available to students enrolled in programs leading to biliteracy in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. As a participation recognition, this award is provided to all students enrolled in the program and is not based on the student’s proficiency. This recognition is an entry on the path to biliteracy or multiliteracy.
Please fill out this online form to participate in the Biliteracy Pathway Recognitions program and to request the Biliteracy Pathway Recognitions certificate templates from the California Department of Education (CDE)
Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) Recognition
- SCCOE Seal of Biliteracy Certificate for eligible high school graduates
- Submit Requests Here (Please check back in 2023)
- SCCOE Biliteracy Pathway Recognition Certificates for eligible students in 5th/6th grade and 8th grade
- Submit Requests Here (Please check back in 2023)
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