The DCPS Seal of Biliteracy

The DCPS Seal of Biliteracy

DEMONSTRATE

proficiency in English 

DEMONSTRATE

proficiency in a language other than English

APPLY

by completing the online application

The DCPS Language Acquisition Division

1720 First Street NE Washington, DC 20002

Step 3

Step 2

Step 1

Step 4

Did you know?

Knowing more than one language has never been more important.

66% of employers agreed that bilingual applicants have an advantage in hiring, and

75% of employers said that Seal of Biliteracy awardees would be more likely to get a job than their monolingual counterpart.

In a 2014 study of a sample of 300+ businesses in California,

❝One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way.❞ ‒Frank Smith

DCPS wants to recognize students for their commitment to bilingualism and biliteracy.

Step 2

Steps to apply

Click to learn more about the DCPS Seal of Biliteracy requirements

Questions about how to apply?

Visit our website or contact Elizabeth Blesson at [email protected].

APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ON A ROLLING BASIS.

LAST DAY TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS IS MAY 1, 2017

The DCPS Seal of Biliteracy is presented to DCPS juniors and seniors who demonstrate proficiency in English and a language other than English.

DCPS Seal of Biliteracy

Awardees receive:

a special seal on their high school diploma
a Seal of Biliteracy honor cord to wear at graduation
an official DCPS Seal of Biliteracy Certificate

PARTICIPATE

in a cultural competency activity*

*Participation in a cultural competency is optional. Applicants who meet this requirement will be considered for the Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction.

Proficiency in English is demonstrated by one of the following*:

Score of Level 4 or above on both Reading and Writing portions of PARCC or,
Score of 5.0 or above on ACCESS for ELLs or,
Score of 3 or above on AP English exam
Score of 600 or above on SAT II in English Literature

AND Successful completion of DCPS English grade level course requirements with minimum overall GPA of 2.5

*Other language proficiency exams must be approved by DCPS Seal of Biliteracy Point of Contact at [email protected]

Proficiency in a Language other than English, is demonstrated by one of the following:

Score of 3 or above in AP exam for a foreign language, or
Score of 5 or above on STAMP (all sections), or
Score of B2 on DELE or DELF, or
Score of Advanced Low or above on ACTFL’s AAPL, or
Score of 4 or above on IB Level B exam, or
Score of 600 or higher on the SAT II
Score of I-2 or above on ALIRA
Score of Silver or above on NLE Level 4
Score of Cum Laude or above on NLE Level 5-6
Attended some secondary school (at least one year) in which instruction was in a non-English language (transcript will be requested)

**Cultural Competency is demonstrated by one of the following:

Twenty-five hours of community service in target language
Participation in recognized service learning summer activity using target language
Participation in school-sponsored language-focused travel of at least one week to country that speaks target language
Completion of 2-week internship in target language

Please submit proof of a cultural competency activity on official letterhead to [email protected] or to your high school guidance counselor.

**Proof of cultural competency is not a required to be eligible for the Seal of Biliteracy. Applicants who do participate in a cultural competency activity are eligible for the DCPS Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction.

Once all requirements have been completed, fill out the online DCPS Seal of Biliteracy Application at https://goo.gl/forms/qDlX9bx35UwWcB022

Application materials will be reviewed on a rolling basis by the DCPS Seal of BIliteracy point of contact. Your high school counselor will be contacted to verify assessment and course requirements.

The DCPS Seal of Biliteracy Requirements