An Educator’s Guide to the Seal of Biliteracy
Multilingualism plays an important role in academic development in an increasingly globalized world.
The Seal of Biliteracy is a widely recognized credential indicating demonstrated proficiency in bilingual and biliterate skills. The credential has become increasingly prevalent in the United States as a means of recognizing multilingual students and graduates.
Educators and other stakeholders will determine how the Seal will be used and how students can meet its criteria.
What Is the Seal of Biliteracy?
The Seal of Biliteracy is an award given to any graduating senior who has attained a certain level of proficiency in two or more languages, including English. It is conferred in the form of a seal affixed to a high school diploma and a notation on a transcript. Use of the Seal has spread to nearly every U.S. state and the District of Columbia as a more formal recognition of achievement in multilingualism.
This was designed to encourage the study of world and classical languages. It also provides a standardized way to recognize communication skills, shifting the focus away from time spent in study and toward what language users can do in communicative contexts. Proficiency reflects a student’s ability to communicate spontaneously and effectively at a given moment, regardless of how they learned the language.
The Importance of the Seal of Biliteracy
The Seal of Biliteracy benefits both students and institutions. For students, it provides an objective measure for placing them in appropriate language courses. The recognition also provides potential employers with credible evidence that the student possesses language skills.
The Seal acknowledges the importance of world languages in schools and provides a measurable indicator of language learning. It encourages students to pursue language study through graduation and beyond.
Which Standardized Tests Count Toward the Seal of Biliteracy?
Teachers may be concerned about whether the standardized tests used to qualify for the Seal of Biliteracy are accepted in other states. Requirements vary by state, but many accept assessments developed by ACTFL, the leading organization for language proficiency standards in the United States.
ACTFL assessments measure the ability to communicate in real-world contexts, making them widely recognized for Seal of Biliteracy qualification. The AAPPL is the most widely used assessment for K-12 students. The following ACTFL assessments can be used to determine whether a student has met the award requirements:
- The Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI): Assesses speaking ability
- Writing Proficiency Test (WPT): Assesses writing ability
- ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL): Administered to students in grades 3-12, assesses interpretive, interpersonal and presentational communication modes
- ACTFL Latin Interpretive Reading Assessment (ALIRA): Assesses ability in Latin programs
These assessments are delivered by Language Testing International® (LTI®), the exclusive licensee of ACTFL. ACTFL-certified Testers and Raters evaluate responses using the ACTFL Proficiency Scale, and scores are generally reported within five to 10 business days. Assessment paths and implementation details are available on the LTI website.
What Educators Should Know About Implementation
In many cases, schools award the Seal of Biliteracy months before graduation, allowing time to schedule assessments, confirm student eligibility and report results. Educators should consider:
- State and district-specific requirements
- Timing of assessments in the academic year
- Instruction-assessment alignment
- Communication of expectations to students
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, multilingual learners have become a growing share of the student population in U.S. schools. The trend highlights the need for structured approaches to supporting language development in academic settings.
Encouraging a Multilingual Future
The Seal of Biliteracy is part of a broader trend of recognizing bilingual communication. As the expectations for it become more rigorous, teachers play a key role. Understanding what the Seal stands for and what tests can meet its criteria helps schools develop programs that validate achievement and prepare students for an increasingly connected world.