Seal of Biliteracy

The Seal of Biliteracy is an award given to graduating seniors in the United States who have reached oral and written proficiency in at least two languages. In Utah, students must show evidence of an Intermediate-Mid level of proficiency in each language. According to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) proficiency scale, Intermediate-Mid speakers can create with language to convey personal meaning in single sentences & strings of sentences.

The Seal of Biliteracy serves as a celebration of bilingualism and biliteracy, an honor for the skills our students attain, and evidence of skills for future employers and college admission offices. Students may have the seal included on their transcripts, as well as their resumes.

On December 4, 2015, the Utah State School Board voted 15-0 to establish a Utah Seal of Biliteracy. Beginning with the class of 2017 the Seal of Biliteracy will be awarded to graduating seniors that demonstrate proficiency in English and one or more world languages or other languags per request.

What is a Seal of Biliteracy?

A “Seal of Biliteracy” means a seal is placed electronically on a student’s high school transcript to indicate a student has achieved high levels of proficiency in English and in a world language according to a proficiency level of Intermediate Mid as described by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). Read the ACTFL description of Intermediate Mid Proficiency. Seniors must be in a Level 3 World Language course or higher OR be a native speaker of the language in order to be eligible for testing. Currently, 27 states and Washington DC have approved a statewide Seal of Biliteracy.

Why get a Seal of Biliteracy?

The Seal encourages students to pursue biliteracy, honors the skills they attain, and can be evidence of skills that are attractive to future employers and college admissions offices. The Utah State Board of Education has said,

This Seal of Biliterate Proficiency approach to learning languages prepares students to be college and career ready and builds state and national language capacity to improve economic competitiveness and strengthen national defense strategies. Equally, it answers the growing need for the critical skills of language and cultural competencies for relationship building—a keystone for success in global business and diverse social environments (Seal of Biliterate Proficiency, USBE, August 2015).

How do students apply for the Seal of Biliteracy?

Students interested in applying to receive the Seal of Biliteracy must turn in a completed application with accompanying documentation to their school counselor by April 15th (If April 15 falls on a weekend, then the following Monday)

Seal of Biliteracy Student Application
Seal of Biliteracy Acceptable Evidence of Proficiency– Updated Feb 2019

Students should not delay in scheduling their language test

To schedule the AAPPL, sign up in the counseling office before March 30.

Wasatch County School District will cover the testing cost of the AAPPL, STAMP and some alternative exams for less common languages.

Seniors currently enrolled in AP will not receive their scores until July. They may still apply for the Seal of Biliteracy but they will need to pass all sections of the AAPPL test with intermediate-mid. Depending on prior testing in past courses, these students may be required to sign up for 1-4 sections of the AAPPL test in the counseling office.

(NOTE: By taking the AAPPL or STAMP test students will receive more immediate results allowing them to qualify for the Seal sooner.)

If you have any questions, please contact your school counselor or Ellie Gallagher at 435-654-0280.