CCHS Seal of Biliteracy
What is the Seal of Biliteracy?
"The Seal of Biliteracy is an award given by a school, district, or state in recognition of students who have studied and attained proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation" (from sealofbiliteracy.org).
Why implement the seal at Calvary Chapel High School?
"The Seal of Biliteracy encourages students to pursue biliteracy, honors the skills our students attain, and can be evidence of skills that are attractive to future employers and college admissions offices" (from sealofbiliteracy.org).
There are many benefits to the Seal:
- Recognition of the value of language learning inside and outside the classroom.
- Encourages students to attain a high proficiency in one or more languages.
- Affirms native or heritage speakers.
- Provides employers with a method of identifying individuals with language and biliteracy skills.
- Provides colleges/universities with a method to recognize and credit applicants for attaining high level skills.
Specifically, at Calvary Chapel High School, achieving high proficiency in language helps prepare students to spread the Gospel to people in many languages/countries and unite communities.
Who awards the seal?
"The Seal of Biliteracy was designed to be awarded by school district or state; however, an individual school site or school program may also decide to implement the award" (from sealofbiliteracy.org).
As a private school, Calvary Chapel High School determines the eligibility criteria for students and awards a similar seal to qualified students.
Criteria to earn the Seal of Biliteracy:
To be eligible for the Seal of Biliteracy, students must meet criteria 1 and 2:
1. Demonstrate English proficiency through one of the following methods:
- Complete all English Literature requirements for graduation with an overall grade point average of 3.0 or above in those classes.
- Score three or hight on two English Advanced Placement (AP) examination (English Language and Composition, English Literature or Composition, or Seminar).
2. Demonstrate proficiency in one or more languages—in addition to English—by accomplishing one of the following:
- Successfully complete a four-year course of study in a language other than English and attain an overall grade point average of 3.0 or above in that course of study at the high school level, including oral proficiency.
- Score 3 or higher on an Advanced Placement (AP) World Language examination.