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Seal of Biliteracy

The California State Seal of Biliteracy recognizes high school graduates who have achieved a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in English and in one or more languages in addition to English. Governor Newsom has signed AB 370, and the new law will go into effect on January 1st, 2024. AB 370 changes the requirements for the State Seal of Biliteracy (SSB) as outlined here. To earn the California State Seal of Biliteracy a student must:

1) Demonstrate English Proficiency Through One Of The Following Methods:

Coursework:

  • Complete all English language arts requirements for graduation with an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in those classes.

    OR

Assessment (Choose One):

  • Option 1: State Assessment: Pass the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) for English language arts administered in grade 11, at or above the “standard met” achievement level. 

  • Option 2: Advanced Placement (AP) Assessment: Pass an English AP examination with a score of 3 or higher (AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature or Composition, or AP Seminar).

  • Option 3: International Baccalaureate (IB) Assessment: Pass an English IB examination with a score of 4 or higher.

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

Additional English Proficiency Requirement for English Learners Only:

  • In addition to the requirements mentioned above, students who are classified as English learners must attain an oral language composite score of level 4 on the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC).

    AND

     

2) Demonstrate proficiency in one or more languages, other than English, through one of the following methods:

Coursework:

  • Successfully complete a four-year course of study in a world language at the high school or higher level, attaining an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher in that course of study, and demonstrate oral proficiency in the language comparable to that required to pass an AP or IB examination.

OR

Assessment (Choose One):

  • Option 1: AP: Pass a world language AP examination with a score of 3 or higher,

  • Option 2: IB: Pass an IB examination with a score of 4 or higher,

  • Option 3: ACTFL: Pass an ACTFL Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) and Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) with scores of intermediate mid or higher, or

  • Option 4: District-Approved Assessment: Pass a school district language examination that, at a minimum, assesses speaking, reading, and writing in a language other than English at the proficient level or higher.

 

In April 2024, PUSD will be offering the opportunity to complete world language assessments in certain languages that are not offered by an AP exam or a four-year course of study. Students, teachers, administrators, counselors, and parents can fill out the State Seal of Biliteracy World Language Test Interest Form 2024. 

All potential candidates for the State Seal of Biliteracy will be verified by the PUSD Research and Evaluation Department and invitations for the world language assessments will be sent to students who meet all of the English proficiency requirements for the State Seal of Biliteracy, but do not have a four-year course of study or AP or IB language score to prove world language proficiency.