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Seal of Biliteracy

The 21st Century requires specialized skills of graduates for them to compete successfully. One of these skills is
proficiency in one or more languages. Those graduates who have shown exemplary achievement in acquiring another language are now recognized and awarded the State Seal of Biliteracy on their diploma. The State Seal of Biliteracy is recognition from the State Superintendent of Public Instruction of graduating high school seniors. Beginning with the Class of 2014, The State Seal of Biliteracy will be given to those HBUHSD graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in one or more languages in addition to English. The State Seal of Biliteracy certifies that the graduate has met all the required criteria identified in Education Code 5146. The criteria include:
 
To earn the California State Seal of Biliteracy the student must:
 
DEMONSTRATE ENGLISH PROFICIENCY THROUGH ONE OF THE FOLLOWING METHODS:
 
Coursework
  • Complete all English language arts requirements for graduation with an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in those classes. English language arts courses completed at a college or university while in high school may be used to satisfy one or more of these course requirements.
 
OR
 
Assessment (Choose One)
  • Option 1: State Assessment: Pass the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) for English language arts administered in grade 11, at or above the “standard met” achievement level.
  • Option 2: Advanced Placement (AP) Assessment: Pass an English AP examination with a score of 3 or higher (AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature or Composition, or AP Seminar).
  • Option 3: International Baccalaureate (IB) Assessment: Pass an English IB examination with a score of 4 or higher.
  • Option 4: SAT: Achieve a score of 480 or above on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section of the SAT.
 
Additional English Proficiency Requirement for English Learners Only:
  • In addition to the requirements mentioned above, students who are classified as English learners must attain an oral language composite score of level 4 on the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC).
AND
 
DEMONSTRATE PROFICIENCY IN ONE OR MORE LANGUAGES, OTHER THAN ENGLISH, THROUGH ONE OF THE FOLLOWING METHODS:
 
Coursework
  • Successfully complete a four-year course of study in a world language at the high school or higher level, attaining an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher in that course of study, and demonstrate oral proficiency in the language comparable to that required to pass an AP or IB examination. World language courses completed at a college or university while in high school may be used to satisfy one or more of these course requirements.
 
OR
 
Assessment (Choose One)
  • Option 1: AP: Pass a world language AP examination with a score of 3 or higher,
  • Option 2: IB: Pass an IB examination with a score of 4 or higher,
  • Option 3: ACTFL: Pass an ACTFL Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) and Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) with scores of intermediate mid or higher, or
  • Option 4: District-Approved Assessment: Pass a school district language examination that, at a minimum, assesses speaking, reading, and writing in a language other than English at the proficient level or higher.

 

From California Education Code Section 51461For more information on the State Seal of Biliteracy, visit the California Department of Education (CDE) State Seal of Biliteracy web page at https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/ml/sealofbiliteracy.asp . 
 
For Vietnamese only: Passage of a district test with a score of proficient or higher. The student must demonstrate proficiency in all the modes of communication (reading, writing, and speaking) that characterize communication in the language.
 
Note: Currently, there is no standardized test available for students of Vietnamese. Therefore, an alternate assessment will be provided at the district office in March 2026. All candidates wishing to demonstrate proficiency outside of a four-year course of study must apply for the Seal of Biliteracy. Applications are available through the student’s Guidance Specialist office beginning in February 2026. The Alternate Assessment test in Vietnamese will be administered in March/April 2026. All qualified students will be notified in April/May 2026.