Seal of Biliteracy

The State Seal of Biliteracy is a recognition given by a district/school to graduating high school students who have demonstrated a high level of proficiency in English and in reading, writing, listening and speaking in another language. The Seal is designated on students’ transcripts and all state colleges, universities, and junior colleges in Illinois must award college credit for the Seal.

Students may apply for the Seal of Biliteracy during any year in high school, but Seals and Commendations will only be awarded at graduation. Applications for the Seal and Commendation are open to all District 100 high school students, including students who learn another language outside of school.

State Commendation toward Biliteracy

The State Commendation toward Biliteracy is a recognition given by a district/school to graduating high school students who have demonstrated significant progress toward achieving a high level of proficiency in English and in reading, writing, listening and speaking in another language. Districts/schools may choose to award the Commendation toward Biliteracy in addition to the Seal each year, however it is not required to participate.

The following must be met in order for a student to receive the State Seal of Biliteracy:

English:

  • Earn a minimum overall score of a 480 on the English and language arts portion of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)

or

  • Earn a minimum overall score of a 21 on the American College Test (ACT)

or

  • Earn a minimum score of a Five (5) on the Advanced Placement (AP) English language exam

or

  • Earn a minimum overall score of a 4.8 on the Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State- to-State (ACCESS) exam

Other Language:

  • Earn a minimum score of a four (4) on a language specific Advanced Placement (AP) exam

or

  • Earn a minimum score of an I-5 on the ACTFL’s Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL) exam

or

  • Earn a minimum score of Intermediate - High on a qualifying test listed on the State of Illinois website