What is the Seal of Biliteracy?
Glenbard District 87 is proud to offer the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy, which aims to promote mastery in two or more languages. The state of Illinois was among the first in the country to allow school districts to award a State Seal of Biliteracy for students who demonstrate a high level of proficiency in one or more languages, in addition to English. If a student earns the seal, it is placed on a student’s academic transcript and diploma.

Glenbard District 87 is excited to offer this opportunity to our students. We believe that it will inspire students to pursue biliteracy, recognize students who excel in language skills, and provide evidence of these achievements to future employers and college admissions offices.  By law, Illinois public universities must grant college credit for students who have earned the Seal of Biliteracy.

“Language skills are increasingly valuable in today’s global economy. The seal will help promote and acknowledge the great value and many benefits that come with being multilingual and multicultural.” – Former State Superintendent of Education Christopher A. Koch.

“We hope the opportunity to earn this credential will be another tool to encourage schools to offer foreign language earlier in students’ education, ideally before high school.” – Illinois State Board of Education Chairman Gery J. Chico.

“The Seal of Biliteracy capitalizes and validates the linguistic assets that many students already bring to Illinois classrooms and will motivate all students to add an important skill set for college and career readiness.” – Josie Yanguas, chair of the Illinois Advisory Council for Bilingual Education and director of the Illinois Resource Center.

How can students earn the Seal of Biliteracy?
School districts will use the language proficiency standards established by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) to qualify for the State Seal of Biliteracy program.  Glenbard High School students enrolled in a second semester world language course have the opportunity to earn the Seal by demonstrating proficiency in English and one or more of the following languages: Spanish, French, German, Mandarin (Chinese) and Italian.

How can students demonstrate language proficiency?
The Seal of Biliteracy is awarded to students whose proficiency level is equivalent to the Intermediate High scale set by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.

To qualify for the Seal of Biliteracy, students must:

Earn a minimum score of 480 on the Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing section of the SAT or a minimum score of 18 on the English section and composite score of a 21 on the ACT

AND

Earn a minimum overall score of 5.0 with minimum subtest scores in reading and writing of 4.2 on the ACCESS for English Language Learners

OR

Earn a 4 or 5 in the Advanced Placement language exam

OR

Earn a minimum score of intermediate high on the approved proficiency assessment (AAPPL or STAMP)

For further information regarding the Illinois Seal of Biliteracy, contact Assistant Director for Teaching & Learning Rebecca Sulaver at [email protected]