Alaska Seal of Biliteracy

The Alaska Seal of Biliteracy has been established to recognize high school students who have attained proficiency in the areas of speaking, listening, writing, and reading in one or more world languages in addition to proficiency in English language arts.

District Information

A district may elect to offer the Alaska Seal of Biliteracy to their students. To participate in this program districts are required to:

• Develop a written policy regarding the awarding of the seal,
• Provide assessment opportunities at least once annually to their students, and
• Allow students to attempt world language assessments beginning in the students’ sophomore year.

Participating districts may charge a fee to cover the cost of assessments.

Participating districts provide notice of the award on the student’s transcript and high school diploma.

Districts are required to notify the Department of Education & Early Development (DEED) of their intent to offer the Alaska Seal of Biliteracy to their students. Participating districts are required to report to DEED the number of students awarded the Seal of Biliteracy each school year prior to June 30th. The report must identify the world language in which the students have gained proficiency.

District Forms

District Notification Form

Seal of Biliteracy Annual Reporting Form **Coming Soon**

Student Requirements

To be awarded the Alaska Seal of Biliteracy, a high school student must meet the following criteria:

1) Demonstrate proficiency in English language, and

2) Demonstrate proficiency in one or more world languages.

English Language Proficiency

Meet statewide minimum graduation requirements in language arts under 4 AAC 06.075 and one of the following:

Method	Criteria
Grade Point Average	2.5 or higher on a scale of 4.0 in English language arts classes
State Assessment under 4 AAC 06.739	Proficient or higher in English language arts
English Language Proficiency Assessment under 4 AAC 34.055(c)	Overall composite score of 4.5 or higher with a score of 3.5 or higher in each testing domain
ACT English Language Arts(ELA)	Score of 16 or higher
SAT Evidence-based Reading and Writing (EWA)	Score of 460 or higher
Workkeys Reading for Information and Locating Information	Score of 4 or higher

World Language Proficiency

Meet one of the following:

Method	Criteria
Advanced Placement	Score of 3 or higher
International Baccalaureate Standard Level Exam	Score of 5 or higher
International Baccalaureate High Level Exam	Score of 4 or higher
Other national or international assessments	Intermediate-mid level or higher based on the ACTFL proficiency guidelines
Work sample, Body of Evidence or Portfolio (For languages that do not have standardized assessment options)	At a level comparable to Intermediate-mid level or higher based on the ACTFL proficiency guidelines
Tribal government assessment process	At a level comparable to Intermediate-mid level or higher based on the ACTFL proficiency guidelines

A student who seeks to qualify for the Seal of Biliteracy through a world language that is not characterized by listening, speaking, or reading, or for which there is no written system, shall demonstrate proficiency through assessment on the modalities that characterize communication in that language at a level comparable to intermediate-mid level proficiency or higher, based on the American Council of the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) proficiency guidelines.