State Seal of Biliteracy
The California State Seal of Biliteracy (SSB), established by Assembly Bill 815 (Brownley, Chapter 618, Statutes of 2011), became effective January 1, 2012, and provides recognition to 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. Each school district or direct-funded charter school that confers the SSB is required to maintain appropriate records in order to identify students who have met the established criteria for the award and to affix the SSB insignia to the diploma or transcript of each qualifying student.
To apply, students must fill out this form online, print and submit to the office:
State Seal of Biliteracy (Student Application)
To qualify for the SSB, high school graduates must meet all of the following criteria:
- Completion of all English–language arts requirements for graduation with an overall grade point average of 2.0 or above in those classes.
- Passing the California Standards Test in English–language arts administered in grade eleven at the “proficient” level (SBAC scores).
- Proficiency in one or more languages in addition to English, demonstrated through one of the following methods:
a. Passing a foreign language Advanced Placement examination with a score of 3 or higher or an International Baccalaureate examination with a score of 4 or higher.
b. Successful completion of a four-year high school course of study in a foreign (world) language and attainment of an overall grade point average of 3.0 or above in that course of study.
c. If no Advanced Placement examination or off-the-shelf language test exists and the school district can certify to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SSPI) that the test meets the rigor of a four-year high school course of study in that foreign (world) language, passing a school district language examination that, at a minimum, assesses speaking, reading, and writing in a language other than English at the “proficient” level or higher. If a school district offers a language examination in a language in which an Advanced Placement examination or off- the-shelf language test does exist, the school district language examination shall be approved by the SSPI for the purpose of determining proficiency in a language other than English.
d. Passing the SAT II foreign language examination with a score of 600 or higher.
If the primary language of a pupil in any of grades nine to twelve, inclusive, is other than English, he or she shall do both of the following in order to qualify for the SSB:
- Attain the Early Advanced proficiency level on the California English Language Development Test (CELDT). For purposes of this paragraph, a participating school district may administer the CELDT test an additional time as necessary.
- Meet all the criteria listed above in 1, 2, and 3.
