Seal of Biliteracy

The Seal of Biliteracy: Your path to success!

The Seal of Biliteracy is an official recognition awarded to students who demonstrate proficiency in two or more languages by the time they graduate from high school. This prestigious credential highlights the importance of bilingualism and multiliteracy in today’s interconnected world.

The Seal of Biliteracy was developed to honor students who have attained high level skills and proficiency in both English and another language. The Thompson School District awards The Seal of Biliteracy credential in recognition of students who have attained proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation. The seal appears on the transcript of the graduating senior and is a statement of accomplishment for both colleges and future employers.

Why go for the Seal of Biliteracy?

Recognition of Bilingual Proficiency: The seal formally acknowledges that a student is proficient in two or more languages. This recognition is important both for personal pride and academic achievement.
Enhanced College Applications: Colleges and universities value students who demonstrate language proficiency, as it suggests they have strong communication and cognitive skills. The Seal of Biliteracy is an official statement of this ability and makes students stand out in the college admissions process.
Career Opportunities: Being bilingual opens up many job opportunities in fields such as education, healthcare, business, law enforcement, and government. The seal shows employers that a candidate can communicate across cultures and markets, a valuable skill in a globalized economy.
Cognitive and Academic Benefits: Learning more than one language has been shown to improve memory, problem-solving skills, and creativity. It also enhances understanding of different cultures, which fosters empathy and global awareness.
Cultural Enrichment: Pursuing bilingualism or multilingualism through the Seal of Biliteracy encourages students to appreciate diverse cultures and perspectives. This fosters a greater sense of global citizenship and respect for diversity.
Pride and Personal Achievement: Earning the Seal of Biliteracy is a great personal accomplishment and a reward for years of dedication to learning another language. It is a concrete symbol of hard work and linguistic skill.

These reasons make the Seal of Biliteracy a valuable credential for any high school student.

There are two Seals of Biliteracy

There are two Seals of Biliteracy in the Thompson School District: The Colorado Seal of Biliteracy and the TSD Seal of Biliteracy. The Colorado Seal of Biliteracy follows the requirement set of the Colorado Legislature. If a student does not achieve the Colorado Seal of Biliteracy, they might qualify for the Thompson Seal of Biliteracy, which has different criteria. After reviewing the student's qualifications and your scores on the AAPPL Assessment (ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages), the AP World Language or IB Language B assessments, teachers will decide which Seal of Biliteracy they qualify for.

For more information see FAQ below or speak with your World Language teacher or your counselor.

The Seal of Biliteracy- Your future is brighter than ever….

The Seal of Biliteracy is a credential on a diploma at graduation from high school for those who demonstrate academic proficiency in English and at least one other language.

The purpose of the Seal of Biliteracy is to:

Acknowledge and certify attainment of biliteracy skills
Prepare students with 21st century skills that will benefit them in the labor market and the global society
Provide employers with a method of identifying people with language and biliteracy skills
Provide universities, grants and scholarships with a method to recognize and give credit to applicants for their dedication to attainment of high level skills in 2 or more languages

Seal of Biliteracy FAQ

Why does Thompson School District have a Seal of Biliteracy?

To encourage students to study languages
To certify attainment of biliteracy skills
To recognize the value of language diversity
To provide employers with a method of identifying people with high level literacy skills in multiple languages
To provide universities with a method to recognize and give credit to applicants for attainment of high level skills in multiple languages
To prepare students with 21st century skills that will benefit them in the labor market and the global society
To strengthen intergroup relationships and honor the multiple cultures and languages in a community.

Who can earn the Seal?

The seal is for all TSD students who demonstrate proficiency in multiple languages using the approved criteria, not just English learners or Spanish speakers.

As one of the requirements to earn the Seal is to complete all graduation requirements, students will not be awarded the Seal until their senior year, but students may complete the other requirements, such as the SAT, AAPPL or AP assessments in their junior or senior years.

Is there a fee to apply for the Seal?

I speak a language that is not taught at my school. Can I earn the Seal?

Yes. As long as you can demonstrate proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing in both English and another world language, you can earn the Seal.

If a standardized test (such as AP or AAPPL) that is on the approved Seal criteria is not available for your non-English language, you have the option of completing speaking and writing assessments which will be assessed by a trained fluent speaker.

I won't get my AP test results back until after graduation. Can I earn the Seal?

Are there any prep materials for the AAPPL exam?

What are the differences between the AP and the AAPPL tests?

Students enrolled in AP courses will take the AP exam and will qualify for the Seal if they score a 3 or better. This may also lead to college credits, depending on the college. However, since AP results are not delivered until mid-July, seniors who attempt to qualify using AP are granted the Seal on a provisional basis until results are received. The Seal will not appear on student transcripts until exam results are received.

Students who receive I4 or above on the AAPPL test will qualify for the Seal. AAPPL scores do not result in college credits. Students who choose to take the AAPPL will receive their scores earlier in the year, and thus can earn the Seal prior to graduation and/or college applications.

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