Aurora Public Schools Seal of Biliteracy logoThe Seal of Biliteracy was an initiative started by Californians Together in 2008, to acknowledge and award hardworking bilingual and multilingual students. In 2011, it officially became legislation in California and as of 2024, every state throughout the nation has implemented a Seal of Biliteracy. On March 30, 2017, Governor John Hickenlooper signed Senate Bill 17-123, which authorized the award in the state of Colorado. By achieving the Seal of Biliteracy, students demonstrate that they can speak, read, listen, and write in two or more languages at a high level of proficiency.

The Aurora Public Schools (APS) Division of Teaching and Learning (DoTL) in collaboration with district high schools, identifies candidates for this award, verifies their language skills, and publicly recognizes students for exemplary achievement.

PURPOSE

The Seal of Biliteracy seeks to:

  • Encourage students to study world languages.
  • Certify attainment of biliteracy.
  • Provide employers with a method of identifying people with language and biliteracy skills.
  • Provide universities with a method to recognize and award academic credit to applicants seeking admission.
  • Prepare students with 21st century skills.
  • Recognize and promote world language instruction in public schools.
  • Strengthen intergroup relationships, affirm the value of diversity, and honor the multiple cultures and languages of a community.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is biliteracy?
Biliteracy is the ability to effectively understand, speak, read, and write in two languages.

 

Who is eligible to earn the Seal of Biliteracy?
ALL students are eligible to attain the Seal of Biliteracy based on evidence of achieving the designated level of language proficiency in English plus one or more other languages during their high school years. Students must demonstrate the state-determined level of proficiency in English, as well as one or more additional languages, be that language a native language, heritage language, or a language learned in school or another setting.

Why should a student earn the Seal of Biliteracy?
The Seal of Biliteracy opens a vast sea of opportunities for those pursuing higher education or joining the workforce. As the world increasingly becomes more global, the need for employees with bilingual and multilingual skills has also been increasing.

Employers seek bilingual or multilingual individuals for reasons such as:

  • Accessing expanding markets

  • Better serving customer needs

  • Reaching particular and wider ranges of audiences

  • Opening a channel of communication with customers

Students who earn the Seal of Biliteracy are encouraged to include it on their resumes, college applications, etc., to highlight their ability to communicate in more than one language.

What are the benefits of earning the Seal of Biliteracy?

  • The Seal looks great on a college application and may even earn you some free credit

  • The Seal makes a student more marketable to employers

  • Bilingual employees earn on average, 20% more in salary

  • Employers rely on employees with skills other than English

  • Bilingual jobs have tripled since 2010

  • Businesses are expanding to markets that do not speak English

How much does the Seal of Biliteracy cost a student?
All costs associated with the Seal of Biliteracy (certificates, diploma seals, graduation cords, and district-approved assessments) are paid for by the Division of Teaching and Learning or the schools. There are no costs to the student outside of normal fees for Advanced Placement and/or International Baccalaureate examinations.

What are the eligibility requirements?

  • Complete all high school graduation requirements.

  • Demonstrate English language proficiency by fulfilling one of the following options:

    • Next Generation Accuplacer - Reading: 241 or higher

    • Next Generation Accuplacer - Writing: 236 or higher

    • ACT - English: 18 or higher 

    • Advanced Placement English Exam: 2 or higher

    • Concurrent Enrollment English: C or higher in a specific Guarantee Transfer Pathway

    • District Capstone: Completed Capstone

    • Industry-Based Certificates: Certificate earned

    • International Baccalaureate (IB) Exam: 4 or higher

    • ACT WorkKeys Certification: Bronze or higher

    • SAT - English: 470 or higher

    Demonstrate proficiency in one or more languages other than English by fulfilling one of the following options:

    • Advanced Placement (AP) World Language exam: 3 or higher

    • International Baccalaureate (IB) World Language exam: 4 or higher

    • District-approved language assessments: Passing score

    • Foreign government or Native American tribal language exam: Passing score

How are the District-approved language assessments administered?
The DoTL will coordinate testing dates with each school. The schools are responsible for providing proctors and any necessary equipment (laptops, headphones, telephone, etc.) for students to complete the assessments. All testing must be completed between January 22–April 5, 2024. To find out a school’s actual testing date and time, please contact the school directly.

Once applications are received, the DoTL will verify student eligibility, order and pay for the exams, and provide exam access codes to schools.

What are the District-approved language assessments?
To view the list of currently approved language assessments, please click the following link:

What do students receive when they earn the Seal of Biliteracy?

  • Certificate of Recognition

  • Diploma Seal

  • Transcript Notation

  • Graduation Cord

How do students apply to earn the Seal of Biliteracy?
In order to earn the Seal of Biliteracy, students must complete the application between October 1–December 20, 2024.