Seal of Biliteracy

The State Seal of Biliteracy is a special honor you earn when you show proficient skills in speaking, reading, and writing in two or more languages—English and another language. It’s a recognition from the State of California that celebrates your hard work, your culture, and your ability to communicate in more than one language.

From California Education Code Section 51461. For more information on the State Seal of Biliteracy, visit the California Department of Education (CDE) State Seal of Biliteracy web page at https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/ml/sealofbiliteracy.asp.

Questions about the State Seal of Biliteracy can be directed to the California Department of Education Multilingual Support Division by phone at 916-319-0845 or by email at SEAL@cde.ca.gov.  

By August/September of your 12th grade year, you would have met the following requirements by earning:

1. 3.0 GPA or better on English courses in 9th-11th grade.

OR 

2. a score of 3 or higher on the CAASPP

3. AP English Language Exam

4. SAT: Achieve a score of 480 or above on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section of the SAT.  

AND

1. a score of 3 or higher on passing the AP Spanish Exam or a score of 5 on the AVANT.

When you earn the Seal of Biliteracy:

• You receive a gold seal on your high school diploma.

• You get invited to the County Seal of Biliteracy Ceremony in November(see County Ceremony for more details)

• You get a medal to wear at graduation (depending on the school).

• Colleges, scholarship committees, and employers see it as proof that you are bilingual and biliterate—a big advantage in the future.