SEAL OF BILITERACY

for Eligible Graduating High School Seniors

The Seal of Biliteracy is an award given in recognition of students who have attained proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation. Appearing on the transcript of the graduating senior, the Seal of Biliteracy is a statement of accomplishment for gaining competency in two or more languages and is viewed as an asset when applying for a job or for college admission.

GOALS:

The award of the Seal of Biliteracy to graduating seniors who met the requirements will:

Recognize and honor our rich and diverse language assets
Promote the study of world languages
Promote the development of language and cultural appreciation and cross-cultural understanding
Encourage the development of dual language immersion programs, and foreign, native and heritage language programs in schools
Provide employers and universities with a method of identifying people with language and biliteracy skills

ELIGIBILITY

The New Jersey Department of Education has developed criteria to designate students as biliterate and implemented it starting in the 2016-17 school year. Students who participate in the biliteracy initiative have the opportunity to meet the criteria in English and in world language(s).

More information is available on the NJDOE website.

TESOL Guidelines for the Seal of Biliteracy

History of the New Jersey Seal of Biliteracy