What is 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. (source)

The Seal of Biliteracy Program:

  • 49 States and Washington DC supporting the seal of biliteracy program through legislation
  • About 15 States have already approved assessments for Tamil language. Many States do not have approved assessments for Tamil, however local school districts may have approved some form of evaluation (Alternate Evaluation Method)

The Seal of Biliteracy – How it works:

  • Evaluates high school students in 4 domains – Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing
  • Not necessarily a part of school curriculum
  • Embossed in student’s transcript
State Approved Assessment (At State or Local level)
Georgia ALTA and Avant World Speak
https://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Curriculum-and-Instruction/2019%20%202020%20HLS/Tamil%20Translation%20SOB.png
Illinois ALTA
https://www.isbe.net/sealofbiliteracy
Indiana ALTA
https://www.in.gov/doe/files/Assessment-list-for-SBOE-Final.pdf
Iowa Avant World Speak and Portfolio method
https://educateiowa.gov/documents/biliteracy-seal/2021/06/seal-biliteracy-guidance
Maryland Reading and Writing: Tamil Virtual Academy
Speaking and Listening: ACTFL OPI
Also other options available
https://marylandpublicschools.org/about/Documents/DCAA/World-Languages/Biliteracy/MSDEACTFLAlignedAssessments.pdf
Massachusetts ALL 4 Domains: AJA Tamil
https://www.doe.mass.edu/scholarships/biliteracy/default.html
Michigan Avant World Speak
https://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,4615,7-140-81351-456570–,00.html
Minnesota Speaking and Writing: AVANT STAMP WS
Others: Contact MDE
https://education.mn.gov/MDE/dse/stds/world/seals/
Missouri ACTFL
https://dese.mo.gov/media/pdf/curr-eld-sobl-implementation-guide
New Jersey ACTFL or Avant World Speak
https://www.nj.gov/education/standards/worldlang/SealofBiliteracy.shtml
New York ACTFL OPI
http://www.nysed.gov/world-languages/new-york-state-seal-biliteracy-nyssb
North Carolina https://www.dpi.nc.gov/districts-schools/classroom-resources/academic-standards/standard-course-study/world-languages/legislation-policy
Virginia ALTA, AVANT WS, AJA Lang
https://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/graduation/diploma_seals/seal_of_biliteracy/index.shtml

Are you in a State that do not have an approved assessment for Tamil?

ATA provides support and help to develop State specific approach to obtain the Seal of Biliteracy.  Contact: