Seal of Biliteracy

Arizona Diploma Seal of Biliteracy

The State of Arizona Seal of Biliteracy is an award provided to students who have attained proficiency in two or more languages by the time of their high school graduation. The Seal of Biliteracy aims to encourage lifelong language learning and communicates the value of our state and nation’s diversity in language skills. It benefits students in the labor market and a globalized society by strengthening intergroup relationships among multiple cultures.

Cholla Academy Participation

Westland School plans to participate in the Arizona Diploma Seal of Biliteracy. A district coordinator will submit required forms to Arizona Department of Education (ADE), provide information like deadlines to relevant staff and students, schedule student testing, and will monitor progress of students working towards a Seal of Biliteracy. The district coordinator will be identified before August 1st every school year.

Students Earning the Seal of Biliteracy

Cholla Academy’s district coordinator for the Seal of Biliteracy will identify any high school students interested in the Arizona Diploma Seal of Biliteracy at the beginning of each semester, and the coordinator will review requirements that qualify students for the seal. High School students must meet EACH of the following requirements to earn the Arizona Diploma Seal of Biliteracy upon graduation with Westland School:

  1. Complete all requirements during grades 9 – 12
  2. Complete all English Language Arts courses with overall GPA of 2.0 out of a 4.0 scale
  3. Pass an examination in English Language Arts (use ONE of the options below a – d)
    1. AZELLA with Proficient score (this option must be done during grades 9 – 12)
    1. Statewide High School Assessments; ACT Aspire (Gr9) with Ready / Exceeding in English AND Reading portions
    1. Statewide High School Assessments; ACT (Gr11) with ELA Composite Score 19
    1. Traditional ACT; Reading Score 22 AND English Score 18 OR ELA Score 20
  4. Demonstrate proficiency in one or more languages other than English through a proficiency exam (use ONE of the options below a – c) *
    1. AAPL; Performance Score I-3 (Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish)
    1. Avant STAMP for ASL; Receptive Skill 5 and Expressive Skill 5 (American Sign Language)
    1. Avant STAMP WS; Writing Score 5 and Speaking Score 5 (Filipino or Tagalog, Hawaiian or ‘Ōlelo Hawai’I, Samoan, Swahili, Telugu, Urdu, Vietnamese, and others)

* If a student is interested in earning Arizona Diploma Seal of Biliteracy in a language not listed in the above requirements, the district coordinator will research other available options outlined at https://www.azed.gov/standards-practices/seal-biliteracy .

Recognition of Seal of Biliteracy

Students will receive 2 foreign language credits (students as of September 2024 that have already received foreign language credit with teacher aptitude test will only receive one foreign language credit) once they have earned their seal. Upon graduation, students will receive Seal of Biliteracy cords (red, yellow, blue), certificate, and foil sticker seal on their diploma. Their transcript will reflect award of Seal of Biliteracy which may be used for credits upon admission to university or college.

Click link to view Arizona Department of Education Student Checklist for Biliteracy.

https://www.azed.gov/sites/default/files/2024/09/Student%20Checklist%20for%20the%20State%20Diploma%20Seals%20%281%29.pdf


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