The Seal of Biliteracy

1. The Seal of Biliteracy Merced County Office of Education contacts: Kathy Pon Francisco Romo Paula Smith (209) 381-6649 fromo@mcoe.org

2. The Purpose for the Award: • Merced County Office of Education, in partnership with participating districts, will present a Biliteracy Seal for each high school student who demonstrates proficiency in English and another world or “target” language.

3. The Rationale for the Award • Participating educators are committed to creating affirming and enriched learning environments that actively impart the value of diversity, and that embrace the cultures and languages of our communities. • Students who are literate in multiple languages should be recognized as having a well-rounded education and as having marketable skills.

4. Eligibility to Apply To be eligible to apply for the MCOE Seal of Biliteracy, students must: • Have passed both sections of the CAHSEE • Have scored Proficient or Advanced on their ELA CSTs at least once during high school • AP English grade of C or better, or English cumulative grade of B or better • Have gained Proficiency in a language other than English • Attend a participating high school

5. Defining the proficiency level Recipients of this award are required to: • Express themselves with clarity and efficacy orally and in writing • Submit a Language Autobiography that demonstrates the ability to prepare a brief, polished piece of writing in English • Provide an on-demand writing sample in the “target” language • Respond orally in both English and the“target” language in an interview

6. The Process for a Student • Eligibility requirements for applying and earning the Seal • Use Self-Assessment Checklists to determine if at Advanced Low or higher • Conference with World language teacher and/or community member proficient in the “target language”about your level of proficiency • Electronically submit SEAL Application by September 5, 2014 • Submit Parent Authorization and Language Autobiography by September 12, 2014 • Provide an on-demand writing sample the week of October 14-17, 2014 • Participate in two interviews on October 25, 2014

7. SEAL Application • Serves a critical organizational role • Triggers the search for the assessors to match the “target” language needs of students who intend to apply • Should follow a check for eligibility – not precede it!! • Due September 5th, by 4 PM at MCOE

8. Language Autobiography • Parent Authorization • Parent permission to release data, due with Language Autobiography • School Verification (of test scores) • Submitted by the high school and/or district Seal Lead, due by 4pm, September 12, 2014 • Language Autobiography, returned with Parent Authorization, due September 12, 2014, by 4pm, at MCOE

9. Language Autobiography • Organized around 5 questions/prompts • Completed by the student in English • Designed to capture information about: • Interest and proficiency in“target” language • Authentic connections and real-life use of “target” language • Language comparisons • Multicultural experiences

10. Resourcesfor the Language Autobiography • Use of the European Language Portfolio is supported by the 29 organizations of the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE) representing 24 languages. • European Language Portfoliohttp://culture2.coe.int/portfolio/ • LinguaFolio 5-State Pilothttp://www.doe.virginia.gov/linguafolio/ • LinguaFolio Nebraskahttp://www.nde.state.ne.us/FORLG/PreK16.htm • Indiana World Languages site with LinguaFolio linkshttp://www.doe.state.in.us/opd/wrldlangs/

11. Biliteracy “Seal Event” • Interview in English • Interview in “target” language • This year’s “Seal Event” is scheduled for Saturday, October 25th

12. Assessment of Proficiency English proficiency determined by: • Interview • Quality of Language Autobiography “Target” language proficiency determined by: • Interview • Quality of on-demand writing sample Score to earn the Seal of Biliteracy: • Maximum Score is 20 • Minimum Score is 16 with no score of one or two

13. Assessment of Students The assessment of a student will be conducted by a two-person team who will: • Review the Language Autobiography • Conduct the interviews • Assess the on-demand writing sample • Determine if the Seal will be conferred

14. Role of the World Language Teacher • Inform students about the opportunity to earn the Seal of Biliteracy • Assist students in determining whether their level of proficiency is sufficient to apply • Use the Language Assessment Guidelines (Advanced Low is the appropriate level for application) • Use the SOLOM Teacher Observation • Serve as an assessor • Help to inform parents about the Seal of Biliteracy

15. Role of Administrators & Counselors • Inform teachers of World Language about the Seal • Provide written documents • Direct teachers to the website: http://www.mcoe.org/instruct/seal/ • Inform teachers about the Seal Information Meetings • Inform students and parents about the Seal • Keep the level of proficiency in mind • Recruit assessors • Celebrate the students who have earned the Seal

16. District partnership Partnering Districts will: • Return a signed MOU to MCOE • Provide one assessor for every eight students • Ensure that students, parents, teachers, counselors and administrators are informed of the Seal • Provide for transcript notation • Celebrate students who earn the Seal

17. Getting the word out: • Merced COE will inform: • District superintendents • Curriculum and Project Directors at Curriculum Council/Categorical meetings • Maintain a website: http://www.mcoe.org/instruct/seal/ • District staffs may participate in Seal Information Meetings • Merced COE will provide PowerPoint presentations and access to resources via website

18. Next steps • Clarifying questions? • Observations or comments? • Next steps for you? Thanks for coming!