Academics » CA State Seal of Biliteracy

CA 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 in one or more languages, in addition to English. Visit the CDE Website  and PUSD State Seal of Biliteracy Canvas Page for more details and FAQs.

 
SSB Applications are due to School Counselors by April 1 of their Senior year. SBAC scores are required to prove eligibility. To view your scores, log into MYPLAN. 
 

PUSD step by step process may be found below:

STEP 1: Meet English language requirement

□ Maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher in English courses

AND

□ Meet one approved state measure of English proficiency

  • CAASPP, AP, IB, SAT, ELPAC score of 4

STEP 2: Demonstrate proficiency in a language other than english

□ 4 years of coursework with a 3.0 GPA

OR

□ AP language exam score of 3 or higher

OR

□ District approved proficiency assessment

  • PUSD has purchased AVANT language tests for seniors who are interested in earning the State Seal of Biliteracy. In the spring of their senior year, students will sign up by visiting the State Seal of Biliteracy Canvas Course. AVANT assesses language proficiency in the following languages: 
  • Arabic
  • English
  • French
  • German
  • Hebrew
  • Hindi
  • Italian
  • Japanese
  • Korean
  • Mandarin (Simplified & Traditional)
  • Polish
  • Portuguese (Brazilian)
  • Russian
  • Spanish
  • Spanish Monolingual

 

STEP 3: Senior year Spring application

□ Students who have met the SSB requirement through WVHS courses or AP Exam score, will be notified by their counselor to pick up their prefilled copy of the SSB Application in March of their senior year. 

□ Students who have met the SSB requirement outside of WVHS must complete the SSB Application on the State Seal of Biliteracy Canvas Page in March of their senior year.

□ Student and parent signature is required. Submit completed application to School Counselor by April 1.

 

STEP 4: School Counselor Review

□ English requirement

□ Language requirement

□ Graduation status

□ Required documentation

Frequently asked questions:

What is the California State Seal of Biliteracy (SSB)?

  • The SSB is a form of recognition from the California State Superintendent of Instruction of graduating high school students who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in one or more languages in addition to English.
  • It is an indicator of accomplishment for future employers and college admissions.

 

What is the purpose of the California State Seal of Biliteracy (SSB)?

  • To recognize the value of biliteracy as a 21st century skill.
  • To encourage students to pursue biliteracy.
  • To honor the achievements of our students.

 

How is the California State Seal of Biliteracy (SSB) awarded?

  • The SSB consists of a gold, embossed, self-adhesive seal affixed to the student's diploma, and it is also reflected on the student's transcript.

 

How do students apply for the California State Seal of Biliteracy (SSB)?

  • Students who have met the SSB requirement through WVHS courses or AP Exam score, will be notified by their counselor to pick up their prefilled copy of the SSB Application in March of their senior year. 
  • Students who have met the SSB requirement outside of WVHS must complete the SSB Application on the State Seal of Biliteracy Canvas Page in March of their senior year.
  • Student and parent signature is required. Submit to School Counselor by the district deadline.

 

Is this just for English Learners?

  • No, a California State Seal of Biliteracy is granted to all students who meet the criteria and apply for this award.

 

Do English Learners need to be reclassified as English proficient speakers?

  • ELL students do not have to be reclassified, but they must attain the early advanced proficiency level overall on their most recent California English Language Development Test (CELDT).

 

Is this just for Spanish speakers?

  • At this time, the California State Seal of Biliteracy is awarded in Poway Unified School District for any language taught at one of our high schools, or represented by an AP exam or AVANT language proficiency exam.

 

Can students qualify for the California State Seal of Biliteracy in more than one language?

  • Students may receive the California State Seal of Biliteracy for any number of different languages, if the requirements have been met for each language.

 

What is the deadline?

 

Will counselors look at all senior transcripts to determine eligibility?

  • Counselors will identify students who qualify for this award based on courses taken at WVHS only. Students may also apply based on self identified criteria and will be responsible for applying for the California State Seal of Biliteracy and meeting the required application deadline if they are interested – much like California Scholarship Federation (CSF) or National Honor Society (NHS). Once they have applied, counseling staff will verify their eligibility.

 

Is there a cost to students for the Seal?

  • No fee may be charged to students or schools who participate in the California State Seal of Biliteracy program.

 

AP Exams are in May and final grades are not received until June, how will that impact students?

  • Since AP exam scores are typically not received until summer time, students selecting this option to demonstrate proficiency in another language might want to take the test their junior year. Students may still apply with pending test results or final trimester/quarter grades in English or world languages in time for the April 1 deadline. The final awarding of the California State Seal of Biliteracy on the transcript/diploma would be contingent upon the student meeting the GPA and/or AP exam requirements.

 

Does the California State Seal of Biliteracy fulfill the foreign language requirement for the UC or CSU schools?

  • The California State Seal of Biliteracy does not fulfill the foreign language requirements for the UC or CSU schools.

 

Do classes taken outside the high school count for demonstrating proficiency in another language?

  • Students must pass an AP language exam score of 3 or higher or AVANT language test if language courses are completed outside of WVHS.

 

What about students who enroll beyond their freshman year from another country – how will they meet the four year requirement for English Language Arts?

  • Transfer credits from another country would be taken into consideration. If there are no transfer credits, students may still be considered, provided they have a 3.0 cumulative GPA in the English classes they have taken in the United States and have met the other criteria.
 
 
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