Merced County Office of Education contacts: The Seal of Biliteracy Merced County Office of Education contacts: John Magneson Amelia Jimenez (209) 381-6761 ajimenez@mcoe.org 1

The Purpose for the Award: Merced County Office of Education, in partnership with participating districts, will present a Biliteracy Seal for each high school student who demonstrates proficiency in English and another world or “Target” Language.

The Rationale for the Award Participating educators are committed to creating/affirming an enriched learning environment that actively imparts the value of diversity, and that embraces the cultures and languages of our communities. Students who are literate in multiple languages should be recognized as having a well-rounded education and as having marketable skills.

Eligibility to Apply To be eligible to apply for the MCOE Seal of Biliteracy, students must: Attend high school in a partnering district and are in 11 or 12 grade Have gained proficiency in a language other than English Have a minimum cumulative grade of 3.0 in English as a high school student; OR have met standards or higher on SBAC in 8th or 11th grade; OR is enrolled in an AP English course

Defining the proficiency level Recipients of this award are required to: Express themselves with clarity and efficacy orally and in writing Submit an English Autobiography that demonstrates the ability to prepare a brief, polished piece of writing Provide an on-demand writing in the “Target” Language Respond orally in both English and the “Target” Language in an interview Score to earn the Seal of Biliteracy: Maximum score is 20 Minimum score is 16 with no score of one or two in any single assessment (Interviews and Writings)

The Process for a Student Eligibility requirements for applying and earning the Seal Use Self-Assessment Checklists to determine if at Advanced Low or higher Conference with World language teacher and/or community member proficient in the “Target” Language about your level of proficiency Electronically submit SEAL Application Submit Parent Authorization and English Autobiography Provide an on-demand writing essay in the “Target” Language Participate in two interviews, one in English and the other in the “Target” Language 6

SEAL Application Serves a critical organizational role Triggers the search for the assessors to match the “Target” Language needs of students who intend to apply Should follow a check for eligibility – not precede it!!

English Autobiography Parent Authorization Parent permission to release data, due with English Autobiography School Verification (of test scores) Submitted by the high school and/or district Seal Lead English Autobiography, returned with Parent Authorization, due to MCOE

English Autobiography Organized around 5 questions/prompts Completed by the student in English Designed to capture information about: Interest and proficiency in“Target” Language Authentic connections and real-life use of “Target” Language Language comparisons Multicultural experiences

Resources for the English Autobiography Use of the European Language Portfolio is supported by the 29 organizations of the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE) representing 24 languages. European Language Portfolio http://culture2.coe.int/portfolio/ LinguaFolio 5-State Pilot http://www.doe.virginia.gov/linguafolio/ LinguaFolio Nebraska http://www.nde.state.ne.us/FORLG/PreK16.htm Indiana World Languages site with LinguaFolio links http://www.doe.state.in.us/opd/wrldlangs/

Biliteracy “Seal Event” Interview in English Interview in “Target” Language(s)

Assessment of Proficiency English proficiency determined by: Interview Quality of English Autobiography “Target” Language proficiency determined by: Quality of on-demand “Target” Language essay Score to earn the Seal of Biliteracy: Maximum Score is 20 Minimum Score is 16 with no score of one or two in any single assessment (Interviews and Writings)

Assessment of Students The assessment of a student will be conducted by a team who will: Review the English Autobiography Conduct the interviews Assess the on-demand “Target” Language essay Determine if the Seal will be conferred

Role of the World Language Teacher Inform students about the opportunity to earn the Seal of Biliteracy Assist students in determining whether their level of proficiency is sufficient to apply Use the Language Assessment Guidelines (Advanced Low is the appropriate level for application) Use the SOLOM Teacher Observation Serve as an assessor Help to inform parents about the Seal of Biliteracy 14

Role of Administrators & Counselors Inform teachers of World Language about the Seal Provide written documents Direct teachers to the website: http://www.mcoe.org/instruct/seal/ Inform teachers about the Seal Information Meetings Inform students and parents about the Seal Keep the level of proficiency in mind Recruit assessors Celebrate the students who have earned the Seal

District partnership Partnering Districts will: Return a signed MOU to MCOE Provide one assessor for every eight students Ensure that students, parents, teachers, counselors and administrators are informed of the Seal Provide for transcript notation Celebrate students who earn the Seal

Getting the word out: Merced COE will inform: District superintendents Curriculum and Project Directors at Curriculum Council/Categorical meetings Maintain a website: http://www.mcoe.org/instruct/seal/ District staffs may participate in Seal Information Meetings Merced COE will provide PowerPoint presentations and access to resources via website

Next steps Thanks for coming! Clarifying questions? Observations or comments? Next steps for you? Thanks for coming!