Seal of Biliteracy

The State of Iowa recently enacted legislation that allows a student graduating from Wilton CSD to receive the Seal of Biliteracy.  In order for a student to earn this distinction, they must be proficient in two or more world languages, one of which must be English.

Being able to know and use more than one world language is a critical skill for the 21st Century.  The Seal of Biliteracy:

• Values language as an asset.

• Recognize the value of language diversity & cultural identity.

• Prepares students with the 21st Century Skills that will benefit them in the labor market and the global society.

• Provides employers, universities, and grant/scholarship providers with a method to recognize applicants for their dedication to attainment of biliteracy.

The Seal of Biliteracy focuses not on “seat time” or a completion of language courses.  It relies on the demonstration of proficiency in a given language. The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) outlines the meaning of language proficiency, and they use the terms novice, intermediate, advanced, superior, and distinguished to indicate levels of proficiency.  For the purposes of this seal, a score that mirrors the ACTFL intermediate level is considered proficient.

Requirements to Demonstrate Knowledge of English    

To be eligible to be awarded the Iowa Seal of Biliteracy, each student shall demonstrate proficiency in English.  The requirement must be met during the course of each student’s high school years. The assessment options Wilton will honor to demonstrate proficiency in English include:

Exam                                                                                  Minimum Score

ACT                                                               English 18

AP Language or AP Literature Exam                3

English Language Proficiency Assessment for the 21st Century (ELPA 21), grades 9-12                                     Proficient, Level 3

SAT                                                                English 470

Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP), grades 9-12                                                              Proficient in English/Language Arts

World Language Assessment Options

To be eligible to be awarded the Iowa Seal of Biliteracy, students must also demonstrate proficiency in a world language.  While there are several options that fit here, Wilton CSD encourages the AAPPL Exam.  If you would like to discuss alternatives to this option, please contact Jamie Meyer and he can review testing options with you.

Estimate of cost to attain the Seal of Biliteracy

Parent/guardians are responsible for all testing costs.  Wilton CSD will provide the proctoring services for testing at no cost to the families and pay for any cost incurred to have the Seal of Biliteracy placed on a student’s High School diploma and transcript.

Sample of potential cost to families:

ACT ($50) + AAPPL Exam ($20)  = $70 parent cost

AP Exam ($95) + AAPPL Exam ($20)  = $105 parent cost

ISASP Exam ($0) + AAPPL Exam ($20)  = $20 parent cost

The district will coordinate the AAPPL Exam (or alternative world language assessment) should a student want to pursue the Seal of Biliteracy.

Testing will take place in the Spring of each school year.  Testing for the 2018-19 school year will take place the week of March 25-March 29.  Typical testing is 2-4 hours, depending on which world language exam that is selected by the family. 

To be Eligible for the Seal of Biliteracy in Wilton CSD 

A student must have completed and earned credit in Spanish I-III and must be enrolled in Spanish IV at the time of testing in the Spring.

If your child is interested, or you have questions about the Seal of Biliteracy, please contact Jamie Meyer...563-732-2035, ext. 261 or jamiemeyer@wiltoncsd.org