Ohio Seal of Biliteracy
VCHS SEAL OF BILITERACY PROGRAM
What is the Ohio Seal of Biliteracy?
The Ohio Seal of Biliteracy is an award given by a school, district or state to recognize graduating seniors who can demonstrate high levels of proficiency in English and at least one other language.The Seal of Biliteracy award is added to a student's transcript at the time of graduation that reads, "‹Student Name> is awarded the Ohio Seal of Biliteracy for demonstrating high levels of proficiency in English and <world language>."
What is Biliteracy?
Biliteracy is the ability to communicate with a high level of proficiency in two languages. Biliterate communication requires the student to have the ability to read and write another language, as well as the ability to listen and comprehend the second language. The student must have the ability to use culturally-appropriate language to communicate spontaneously in non-rehearsed contexts with a high degree of competence, in real-life situations.
PURPOSE:
- Encourage the study of languages;
- Certify the attainment of biliteracy;
- Give employers insights on the skills of graduates;
- Give universities an additional mechanism to identify strong candidates for admission;
- Prepare students with 21st century skills;
- Recognize the value of foreign and native language instruction; and
- Strengthen inter-group relationships and affirm the value of diversity
HOW TO QUALIFY:
To be eligible for a Seal of Biliteracy assessment, a student must be within 15 months of graduation.
To earn a Seal of Biliteracy, a student must first demonstrate proficiency in English in one of 4 ways:
- Earned a proficient level (700) or higher on Ohio’s required state tests for high school English language arts II; or
- Earn a remediation-free score on the English and reading sections of the ACT (English-18, Reading-22) or SAT (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing-480, Reading-450); or
- Earned a proficient level or higher on an Ohio Department of Education-approved alternative assessment (TerraNova or Iowa Test); or
- Earned a score of proficient or higher on the Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment (OELPA).
A student must also demonstrate proficiency in another language by meeting 1 of 6 of the ODE-established criteria. Vinton County High School chose the AAPPL test for Spanish and French to meet this criteria. Students must earn a score of I-5 in all skills or three I-5 and one I-4 in Reading, listening, writing and speaking.
TESTING:
Beginning in 2020, Vinton County Local Schools will cover the cost of the first attempt only at taking the AAPPL test. Additional attempts will be at the cost of the student requesting the retest.
Testing Date (Seniors and Juniors)
Last week of March
Monday morning: Reading
Tuesday morning: Listening
Wednesday morning Writing
Thursday morning: Speaking
Friday morning: Make-ups
RESOURCE CENTER:
More information about AAPPL assessment
More information about the Ohio Seal of Biliteracy
Recipient Testimonials can be found below:
Recipient Testimonials