1. Merced County Office of Education contacts:
The Seal of Biliteracy
Merced County Office of Education contacts:
John Magneson
Amelia Jimenez
(209) 1

2. The Purpose for the Award:
Merced County Office of Education, in partnership with participating districts, will present a Biliteracy Seal for each high school student who demonstrates proficiency in English and another world or “Target” Language.

3. The Rationale for the Award
Participating educators are committed to creating/affirming an enriched learning environment that actively imparts the value of diversity, and that embraces the cultures and languages of our communities.
Students who are literate in multiple languages should be recognized as having a well-rounded education and as having marketable skills.

4. Eligibility to Apply
To be eligible to apply for the MCOE Seal of Biliteracy, students must:
Attend high school in a partnering district and are in 11 or 12 grade
Have gained proficiency in a language other than English
Have a minimum cumulative grade of 3.0 in English as a high school student;
OR have met standards or higher on SBAC in 8th or 11th grade;
OR is enrolled in an AP English course

5. Defining the proficiency level
Recipients of this award are required to:
Express themselves with clarity and efficacy orally and in writing
Submit an English Autobiography that demonstrates the ability to prepare a brief, polished piece of writing
Provide an on-demand writing in the “Target” Language
Respond orally in both English and the “Target” Language in an interview
Score to earn the Seal of Biliteracy:
Maximum score is 20
Minimum score is 16 with no score of one or two in any single assessment (Interviews and Writings)

6. The Process for a Student
Eligibility requirements for applying and earning the Seal
Use Self-Assessment Checklists to determine if at Advanced Low or higher
Conference with World language teacher and/or community member proficient in the “Target” Language about your level of proficiency
Electronically submit SEAL Application
Submit Parent Authorization and English Autobiography
Provide an on-demand writing essay in the “Target” Language
Participate in two interviews, one in English and the other in the “Target” Language 6

7. SEAL Application Serves a critical organizational role
Triggers the search for the assessors to match the “Target” Language needs of students who intend to apply
Should follow a check for eligibility – not precede it!!

8. English Autobiography
Parent Authorization
Parent permission to release data, due with English Autobiography
School Verification (of test scores)
Submitted by the high school and/or district Seal Lead
English Autobiography, returned with Parent Authorization, due to MCOE

9. English Autobiography
Organized around 5 questions/prompts
Completed by the student in English
Designed to capture information about:
Interest and proficiency in“Target” Language
Authentic connections and real-life use of “Target” Language
Language comparisons
Multicultural experiences

10. Resources for the English Autobiography
Use of the European Language Portfolio is supported by the 29 organizations of the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE) representing 24 languages.
European Language Portfolio
LinguaFolio 5-State Pilot
LinguaFolio Nebraska
Indiana World Languages site with LinguaFolio links

11. Biliteracy “Seal Event”
Interview in English
Interview in “Target” Language(s)

12. Assessment of Proficiency
English proficiency determined by:
Interview
Quality of English Autobiography
“Target” Language proficiency determined by:
Quality of on-demand “Target” Language essay
Score to earn the Seal of Biliteracy:
Maximum Score is 20
Minimum Score is 16 with no score of one or two in any single assessment (Interviews and Writings)

13. Assessment of Students
The assessment of a student will be conducted by a team who will:
Review the English Autobiography
Conduct the interviews
Assess the on-demand “Target” Language essay
Determine if the Seal will be conferred

14. Role of the World Language Teacher
Inform students about the opportunity to earn the Seal of Biliteracy
Assist students in determining whether their level of proficiency is sufficient to apply
Use the Language Assessment Guidelines (Advanced Low is the appropriate level for application)
Use the SOLOM Teacher Observation
Serve as an assessor
Help to inform parents about the Seal of Biliteracy 14

15. Role of Administrators & Counselors
Inform teachers of World Language about the Seal
Provide written documents
Direct teachers to the website:
Inform teachers about the Seal Information Meetings
Inform students and parents about the Seal
Keep the level of proficiency in mind
Recruit assessors
Celebrate the students who have earned the Seal

16. District partnership Partnering Districts will:
Return a signed MOU to MCOE
Provide one assessor for every eight students
Ensure that students, parents, teachers, counselors and administrators are informed of the Seal
Provide for transcript notation
Celebrate students who earn the Seal

17. Getting the word out: Merced COE will inform:
District superintendents
Curriculum and Project Directors at Curriculum Council/Categorical meetings
Maintain a website:
District staffs may participate in Seal Information Meetings
Merced COE will provide PowerPoint presentations and access to resources via website

18. Next steps Thanks for coming! Clarifying questions?
Observations or comments?
Next steps for you?
Thanks for coming!