California State Seal of Biliteracy
The California State Seal of Biliteracy, marked by a gold seal on the diploma or transcript, recognizes high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing one or more languages in addition to English. To meet the requirement, students must demonstrate the following:
- (1) English Language Proficiency: Through one of the following methods-- Maintain a 3.0 GPA in Grades 9-12 English Courses, 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, 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), achieve a score of 480 or above on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section of the SAT, or pass an English IB examination with a score of 4 or higher.
- (2) Second Language Proficiency: Through one of the following methods-- 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, pass a world language AP examination with a score of 3 or higher, pass an IB examination with a score of 4 or higher, or 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.
- (If Applicable) English Language Learners must attain an oral language composite score of level 4 on the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC).
For high school seniors who are interested in earning the California State Seal of Biliteracy, please check out the resources below and contact your school counselor.