Seal of Biliteracy

What is the Seal of Biliteracy?

The Seal of Biliteracy is an award 🎖️ recognizing students who have demonstrated proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and listening in two or more languages by the time they graduate from high school. This achievement is marked with a gold or silver seal on the student's transcript or diploma.

Interested?
Fill out this form to learn more.

Benefits of the Seal:

  • 🎓 Statement of accomplishment for college and career opportunities.

  • 💼 Sets you apart from other students for grants and scholarships.

  • 🌍 Proof of multilingual skills for future employers.

  • 🌟 Recognizes the importance of multilingualism.

Qualification Levels:

Silver Seal:
English (One of the following):

  • 📊 ACT English Section: 18-19

  • 📝 English II State Test: 4

  • 🌐 ELPT (grades 9-12): 4 in all domains

Additional Language (e.g., Spanish, Arabic, etc.):

  • 📚 Avant STAMP: 5 in all domains and composite

Gold Seal:
English (One of the following):

  • 📊 ACT English Section: 20+

  • 📝 English II State Test: 5

  • 🌐 ELPT (grades 9-12): 5 in all domains

Additional Language:

  • 📚 Avant STAMP: 7 in all domains and composite

This is a brief overview. See the full qualifications in the Assessments Document linked below.

How do I test for the Additional Language?
The Avant STAMP test can be taken at your high school. Contact 📧 daniel.buller@dcsms.org or your EL Teacher for more details. For further questions, complete the Contact Form at the bottom of this page.

Tips for Biliteracy Seal Test Takers

What to Expect 📝

  • Try the Avant STAMP 4S Sample Tests [link] 🧪

  • 4 Sections for some languages – Reading 📖, Writing ✍️, Listening 🎧, and Speaking 🗣️

  • You can take Reading or Listening first.

    • After Reading, you can take Writing ✍️

    • After Listening, you can take Speaking 🗣️

  • Reading and Listening have around 30 questions each 📊

  • Speaking and Writing have 3 prompts each 🗒️

  • The test adapts to how well you perform – harder questions if you’re doing well! 🚀

  • The test is untimed ⏳, but most students take around 3 hours on average.

Practicing 🎯

  • Read the Power Up Guide and Rubrics 📚 to understand what’s expected for Speaking & Writing responses.

What to Bring 🎒

  • Your 1 to 1 device and charger 🔌

  • A snack 🍎 – the test is long!

What Not to Bring 🚫

  • Your phone 📱

  • Pencil or paper 📝 (Note-taking is not allowed!)