The Seal of Biliteracy is an award that recognizes student achievement in language learning. Students who are proficient in English and an additional language may earn the Seal of Biliteracy by demonstrating their skills on an approved assessment. Highlighting the value of multilingualism, this award becomes part of a student's transcripts and gives students an edge for their post-secondary studies and/or future careers.
|
**Please note the new requirements on page 4**
|
Awarding Process
Starting this school year, schools will be able to award the Seal of Biliteracy to students directly without submitting an application to the Maine Department of Education. Each participating school will designate a local Seal of Biliteracy Coordinator, who will have several key responsibilities. The Department encourages teams of educators and other staff to collaborate on Seal implementation. Full details about the process and requirements are included in the new Maine Seal of Biliteracy Coordinator Guide.
We are hopeful that these changes will increase accessibility to the Seal of Biliteracy and make the process easier and more streamlined for students and their teachers.
Eligibility Criteria
For languages other than English, individual language domain (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) scores must be at intermediate mid proficiency or above. If a given test does not provide individual domain scores, the overall score must be at intermediate mid proficiency or above.
Students whose primary/home language is other than English may be eligible for an exemption from the reading and writing domains if they have not had sufficient educational opportunity to become literate in their language. Students who are deaf or hard of hearing may be eligible for an exemption from the listening domain.
Language | Minimum Evidence of Proficiency |
---|---|
English | The student must have fulfilled (or be on track to fulfill, as of the start of their graduating year) the school’s English Language Arts requirements for graduation. |
Additional Language | One of the following: Tests Available in Multiple Languages (Click on the links to see languages offered.)
Language-Specific Tests
Additional Pathways
|
**Students seeking the Seal of Biliteracy through the ACTFL OPI may be required to show proficiency in other available language modalities using the ACTFL Listening (LPT), Reading (RPT), and/or Writing (WPT) tests.
Contact
Melanie Junkins
Multilingual and Bilingual State Specialist
Email: Melanie.Junkins@maine.gov
Phone: 207-215-9694