Seal of Biliteracy

The purpose of the Pennsylvania Seal of Biliteracy is to:

• recognize the value of world language programs in PA schools
• affirm the value of cultural and linguistic diversity in our school and community 
• prepare students for the workplace and upper level language courses 
• provide colleges and employers with a way to identify bilingual students 
• provide incentive for ELs to become proficient in English
• encourage all students to study a world language 
• celebrate diversity in our school community 
• promote civic and global engagement
   

Students must:

• Complete all requirements to earn a high school diploma.
• Earn an average of final grades equaling "B", 80% or higher in all English Language Arts courses taken in grades 9-12 and meet any one of the English Proficiency Criteria Options below.
• Earn an average of final grades equaling "B", 80% or higher in all world language courses in the target language in grades 8-12 and meet any one of the World Language Proficiency Criteria Options listed below.

Students have three options for demonstrating proficiency in English and three options for demonstrating proficiency in a World Language. Obtaining the seal is rigorous, and students will have to demonstrate fluency in speaking, reading, writing and listening in both languages.

English Language Proficiency
Option 1	Score proficient or Advanced on one of the ELA state assessments by 11th grade: Keystone Literature PASA (Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment)
Option 2	English learners have met all criteria for reclassification by October 1 of their graduating   year.
Option 3	Achieve the following scores on one of these English assessments: 3 or higher on an Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition Examination 4 or higher on International Baccalaureate English A: Language and Literature HL Intermediate High (I-5) or higher on Test Form B on the ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL) or ESL.

 

World Language Proficiency
Option 1	Provide transcripts from a school in a country outside the U.S. or in Puerto Rico showing at least three years of instruction in the student's home language in grades 8 or beyond indicating an average of final grades equaling "B," 80% or higher.
Option 2	Score equivalency of intermediate-high or higher on one of the modern world language assessments on the list of approved world language assessments.
Option 3	Score the equivalency of intermediate-high or higher on a community-based world language assessment normed to the ACTFL proficiency levels as approved by the school's or school entity's PASB committee

Our recommended language assessment is the Stamp Language Proficiency Test with a remote proctor. More information can be found here.

Additional options for demonstrating language proficiency that are approved by the Department of Education can be found here.

Final determinations for the award will be made by the Methacton School District Seal of Biliteracy Committee upon submission of all required documentation.