CALIFORNIA SEAL OF BILITERACY
AND PATHWAYS TO BILITERACY
Through the California Department of Education (CDE) and our MCAP partners, there are a variety of biliteracy recognitions available from PK-16 through the University.
High School: California State Seal of Biliteracy:
- Available for High School diplomas (grade 12)
- To earn the State Seal, students must demonstrate proficiency in English and at least one other language
- Full information from the CDE: cde.ca.gov/sp/el/er/sealofbiliteracy.asp
Elementary and Middle School: California Biliteracy Pathway Recognitions:
- Along with the State Seal at the end of high school, there are new recognitions available
Biliteracy Attainment Recognition:
- Available at the end of elementary school (grade 5) and/or high school (grade 8)
- Competency-based – aligned with State Seal requirements
- Full information from the CDE: cde.ca.gov/sp/el/er/blitattainment.asp
Home Language Development Recognition:
- For students with a native language other than English (PK-8)
- Offered to those who demonstrate that they are continuing to develop their home language.
- Full information from the CDE: cde.ca.gov/sp/el/er/blitdevelopment.asp
Biliteracy Program Participation Recognition:
- For students enrolled in bilingual literacy programs (PK-12)
- Recognition of participation – not based on proficiency
- Full information from the CDE: cde.ca.gov/sp/el/er/blitparticipation.asp
MCAP Resources to Support Educators & Families
3 Horizons planning activity: Guiding questions to guide conversations in districts and schools to make a plan for advocating for biliteracy in their settings.
In English & Spanish: http://bit.ly/mcap3plan
Summary of recognitions currently available (State Seal & Pathway Recognitions) and specific questions to ask at districts:
Spanish: http://bit.ly/CAbiliteracidad
English: http://bit.ly/CAbiliteracy
College: SDSU University Global Seal of Biliteracy
- Our partners at San Diego State University have launched a University Seal that recognizes both literacy and cultural competence.
- Full information from SDSU: https://www.sdsu.edu/internationalaffairs/globalseal
2023 Biliteracy Webinar Series
See recordings of our past Network sessions, and register for our next network:There are multiple ways schools in California can recognize and promote biliteracy TK-12, through the State Seal of Biliteracy and new Pathways to Biliteracy Recognition! Our Multilingual California Alliance Project is supporting the implementation of these programs with a series of webinars for educators, school leaders, and families. Join one or all of our webinars to learn more and get the resources you need to advocate for biliteracy in your community!
For Families
Pt 1: ¿Cuáles son las opciones en California?
(What are the options in California?)
Watch Recording: https://youtu.be/uSIwTy0h1HM
Resources: bit.ly/mcap22823
Pt. 2: ¿Cómo puedo abogar por la biliteracidad?
(How can I advocate for biliteracy?)
Watch Recording: https://youtu.be/ZmE3hNu0d_g
Resources: bit.ly/mcap22823
Sessions in Spanish with English resources/slides available
For School Staff & Admin
May 9th, 2023
State Seal of Biliteracy & Biliteracy Attainment Recognition
Watch Recording: https://youtu.be/1mgd5pHv4fI
Resources: bit.ly/mcap23links
May 16th, 2023
Home Language Development & Biliteracy Program Participation Recognition
Watch Recording: https://youtu.be/iGcZ9lfbXZ0
Resources: bit.ly/mcap23links
Sessions in English
Join our MCAP Seal of Biliteracy Network!
- Add yourself to our Biliteracy Network Directory: https://bit.ly/MCAPbiliteracynetwork
- See recordings of our past Network sessions, and register for our next network:
February 8, 2023
MCAP State Seal of Biliteracy
Links: bit.ly/MCAPbiliteracylinks
August 24, 2022
Biliteracy Network Recording
Links: bit.ly/MCAPbiliteracylinks
October 26, 2022
Biliteracy Network Recording
Links: bit.ly/MCAPbiliteracylinks
More Resources:
- Context: Bilingual Education in California
- PDF copy of Bilingual and Education in California and the United States – created and compiled by Laurie Olson, Ph.D.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pJ7l3lIvRgUct1UuWRbG9ld-rEbJ2oQl/view?usp=share_link - Youtube: A History of Bilingual Education in California
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh3R0h94FbEHlWAdtDGMd8M3-3wfFtBUs
- PDF copy of Bilingual and Education in California and the United States – created and compiled by Laurie Olson, Ph.D.
- Benefits of multilingualism (OELA – in multiple languages)
https://ncela.ed.gov/resources/oela-resources/infographics?fbclid=IwAR00r_mGweAoBDAS_PuBtmh49uocphKfv8wYYK0cj5eiMCjY1n3h2U6mN-0 - Myths vs. Facts about Bilingual Language Development
- Mitos vs Hechos (Español):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xhjXsZ04YiwnrZHHMyMI2r9dnsOGFoY4/view?usp=sharing - Myths about being bilingual (ENGLISH):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/17Df9lMdTkruBeiIL2GVb5hUWYnTfgD4H/view?usp=sharing
- Mitos vs Hechos (Español):
- A Parent’s Guide to Multilingual Education
- Some district examples:
- For State Seal: Sweetwater Union HSD’s Oral Proficiency Performance Task
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1f9i7pOL98gql2OxqIkquqiiaCIYrT_W6-zrV91Q5gcE/edit - For Pathway Recognitions: San Diego Unified
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1I_T9NuXPFFEzAThIkDnqjBq2npf1FCOMoJlrIiAeIbk/edit?usp=sharing
- For State Seal: Sweetwater Union HSD’s Oral Proficiency Performance Task
- Assessments (Suggestions to explore for your setting – not endorsed by MCAP or CDE)
- List from SDCOE for State Seal https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IHLzka4H4R37qQHI3p35v1s24n5mJAQR1hGsYCRYn7Y/edit
- List of other locally approved assessments
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EXerpuI-0ojIMLU8eYvlmoORSQrX22K0/view?usp=sharing - Potential resource for English & Spanish in Elementary: New MAP Reading Fluency (NWEA)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zgERUP_wk6BZhiB1I0LIquss37Tbxsbc/view?usp=drivesdk - Oral Proficiency Interviews (ACTFL)
https://www.languagetesting.com/oral-proficiency-interview-opi - AVANT assessments
https://avantassessment.com
- Examples of Board Resolutions supporting Biliteracy:
- SDCOE Draft
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gn6UMJrKh6NnWdftFLHjYbnpcKjfR5yZ/view?usp=sharing - Lynwood Unified 6/2022 Resolution
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QlB4KILEZ6ncBNVgpAC9p3Ple0e6xOY8/view?usp=sharing
- SDCOE Draft
- Resources for the LCAP Process
- CalTog’s LCAP Toolkit:
https://californianstogether.org/lcap-toolkit
- CalTog’s LCAP Toolkit:
- California Department of Education – Up to date information
- Seal of Biliteracy Guidelines (including current requirement posters, presentations, and more)
https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/el/er/sealofbiliteracy.asp - Biliteracy Pathway Recognitions
https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/el/er/biltrcypathwy.asp
- Seal of Biliteracy Guidelines (including current requirement posters, presentations, and more)
- Seal of Biliteracy: Recognitions and resources from a growing number of states
https://sealofbiliteracy.org
- Who are the Recipients of the California Seal of Biliteracy?
https://californianstogether.org/who-are-the-recipients-of-the-state-seal-of-biliteracy
- CABE Multilingual Educator Journal:Lengthening the Language Lines
https://www.sdsu.edu/internationalaffairs/_resources/_files/cabe_alfaro_publication.pdf - Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the State Seal!
https://www.cde.ca.gov/eo/in/documents/globalca2030report.pdf - Fact sheets from the California Budget & Policy Center (Nov 2019)
- The State Seal of Biliteracy for High School Students
https://calbudgetcenter.org/resources/californias-bilingual-opportunity - Supporting Students’ Home Languages
https://calbudgetcenter.org/resources/californias-bilingual-opportunity-supporting-students-home-languages
- The State Seal of Biliteracy for High School Students
- White Paper: 3 Strategies to Honor Students’ Language Assets
https://info.ellevationeducation.com/home-language - Californians Together Seal of Biliteracy Page
https://www.californianstogether.org/multiple-pathways/ - Ed Code: State Seal of Biliteracy
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=51461.&nodeTreePath=2.3.4.4.6&lawCode=EDC