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Language Programs Available: Secondary WL programs offered by school 20-21, Updated Sept 2020
Seal of Biliteracy
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 seniors that demonstrate proficiency in English and one or more world languages or the indigenous languages of Navajo or Ute.
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 in English and in a world language 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?
- Seal of Biliteracy Checklist– Updated Sept 2020
Seniors interested in applying to receive the Seal of Biliteracy must turn in a completed application with accompanying documentation to their school counselor by May 1st (If May 1 falls on a weekend, then the following Monday)
- Seal of Biliteracy Student Application
- Seal of Biliteracy Acceptable Evidence of Proficiency– Updated Sept 2020
Students should not delay in scheduling their language test since testing spots fill up and it may take as long as three weeks to receive testing results. Native speakers should schedule early in the school year since the Testing Center gets very busy in the spring. In addition to the district Testing Center, some high schools have set up satellite testing centers to administer the test at their school site. See the following link for times, dates, locations and person to contact to test at one of these sites: Satellite Testing Center Details
- To schedule the AAPPL or STAMP, email Marti Wood at the Testing Center at mawood@graniteschools.org.
- To schedule the ASLFAI, contact Sharon Gracia at 385-646-4238.
- For languages not tested by the AAPPL, STAMP, WorldSpeak or ASLFAI test, contact Sharon Gracia at 385-646-4238 to schedule an OPI no later than April 1.
Granite District will cover the testing cost of the AAPPL, STAMP, WorldSpeak, ASLFAI and OPI tests.
| Language | Name of Assessment | Date Completed | Score* |
| World Language | AP (or IB) | May 201… | pending results |
Seniors currently enrolled in AP or IB will not receive their scores until July. They may still apply for the Seal of Biliteracy but they will not be recognized at graduation without demonstrated proficiency. (NOTE: By taking the AAPPL or STAMP test students will receive more immediate results allowing them to qualify for the Seal sooner.) Since AP/IB students are eligible to receive the Seal pending their test results, on their application they should write “pending results” (see below).
If you have any questions, please contact your school counselor or Sharon Gracia at 385-646-4238.