The Wisconsin Seal of Biliteracy WIDA National Conference Thursday, October 17 th, 2013 Presented by: Jesús Santos, Milwaukee Public Schools Josh Forehand, Madison Metropolitan School District Tolu Sanabria, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Presentation Agenda Provide history of Seal of Biliteracy movement across the country Provide details of the proposed Wisconsin Seal of Biliteracy Elicit Feedback to ensure the success of the Seal Share next steps for Wisconsin school districts and DPI

Desired Outcomes Shared understanding of the proposed Wisconsin Seal of Biliteracy Incorporate your feedback into our next steps Promote enthusiasm for the Seal Build our network of partners for this initiative

What is a Seal of Biliteracy? A seal on a student’s diploma confirming/affirming achievement of biliteracy. Biliteracy attainment indicated on a student’s official transcript.

Alternate What? Recognition of students on the pathway to bilingualism/biliteracy with an award selected by a school or district.

Why? Frame multilingualism as an asset Raise awareness of its benefits Elevate the status of languages other than English Meet the needs of our community and the global economy

Who? Students in language educational programs or entering with bilingual/biliteracy background knowledge: Emerging bilingual students on their way to biliteracy; Graduating high school seniors (for the seal).

Where? Wisconsin Schools Wisconsin Districts

When? Now! Some Wisconsin districts are already working on draft requirements for their districts.

Differences at Elementary and Middle School Levels Pathway Award: involvement in, exposure to, attitude toward, disposition for bilingualism.

Attainment Award: involvement in, exposure to, attitude toward, disposition for bilingualism; + demonstrated grade appropriate bilingualism and biliteracy through assessments on performance tasks.

Differences at the High School Level Participation Award: involvement in, exposure to, attitude toward, disposition for bilingualism.

Seal of Biliteracy Award: involvement in, exposure to, attitude toward, disposition for bilingualism; + demonstrated high levels of bilingualism and biliteracy.

Resources: States with Pending Legislation/Policy Proposals Florida Illinois New Mexico Texas Washington

Federal Legislation eek/learning-the- language/2013/07/biliteracy _would_get_federal_b.html? qs=biliteracy+would+get+fe deral+boost+in+proposed+l egislation eek/learning-the- language/2013/07/biliteracy _would_get_federal_b.html? qs=biliteracy+would+get+fe deral+boost+in+proposed+l egislation

Benefits already being advertised… From the above site: The Seal of Biliteracy not only recognizes your academic success, but it also includes the following benefits: Differential Pay for Seal of Biliteracy recipients; Membership to the Seal of Biliteracy community.

How? With your help! Feedback provided will be considered as we further strengthen the work being done in schools and develop an approval process for Wisconsin districts.

Sample Plan Form The Wisconsin International Eductation Program has developed a Global Education Certificate Award, endorsed by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction: [see more at: We are plannning a parallel process for the Seal of Biliteracy

How? First discussion questions… What level of proficiency should be required? How should proficiency be assessed?

How? Next discussion questions… Who keeps track of students working toward and attaining the Seal and Pathway and Participation Awards? How would an application/portfolio process work? What sorts of awards would be given and when?

Resources: IRC/WIDA/Wisconsin- Related duallanguage-news.html duallanguage-news.html [coming…]

Resources: From California & New York cuomo-signs-bill-recognize-high-school- graduates-who-demonstrate-proficiency- multiple- cuomo-signs-bill-recognize-high-school- graduates-who-demonstrate-proficiency- multiple-

Articles Florida: -seal-of-biliteracy-policy-proposal -seal-of-biliteracy-policy-proposal NCELA: v_mar v_mar2011 Migration Policy Institute (MPI): CATogether.pdf CATogether.pdf

Contact Information Jesús Santos, Director, Bilingual- Multicultural Education Dept., MPS Josh Forehand, Principal, Nuestro Mundo Community School, MMSD Tolu Sanabria, Education Specialist, Bilingual/ESL Education Program, DPI