The Seal of Biliteracy Merced County Office of Education contacts: Kathy Pon Amelia Jimenez (209)

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

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 ○ LinguaFolio 5-State Pilot ○ LinguaFolio Nebraska ○ Indiana World Languages site with LinguaFolio links

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: ■ Interview ■ 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

Role of Administrators & Counselors ■ Inform teachers of World Language about the Seal ○ Provide written documents ○ Direct teachers to the website: ○ 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: ■ District staffs may participate in Seal Information Meetings ■ Merced COE will provide PowerPoint presentations and access to resources via website

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