Program to award students who master world languages
Florida legislators Senators Anitere Flores and Rep. Eric Fresen sponsored a bill establishing the Florida Seal of Biliteracy Program that awards qualifying students, who earn a standard high school diploma, a Silver or a Gold Seal of Biliteracy, depending on their demonstrated level of competency in a foreign language, which includes American Sign Language, and classical and indigenous languages.
The seal, which will be awarded by the Florida Department of Education or local school districts, is affixed to the high school diploma and is included in the student’s transcript. It will serve to certify the student’s attainment of biliteracy to post-secondary institutions and employers.
Last September, School Board Chair Perla Tabares Hantman spearheaded the creation of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Seal of Biliteracy and began recognizing students who have attained a high level of competency in a world language upon graduation at the end of the 2015-2016 school year.
“The purpose of the Seal of Biliteracy is to encourage students to study languages, certify attainment of biliteracy, provide employers with a method of identifying an individual who has language and biliteracy skills, and promote world language instruction in public schools,” said Ms. Hantman.
HB7029 will provide requirements for the State Board of Education, the Commissioner of Education, and school districts to implement the program, and establishes baseline requirements for students to demonstrate competency in a foreign language. The State Board must adopt rules that identify assessments and qualifying scores, as well as alternative methods, which students must meet to receive a Silver or Gold Seal of Biliteracy.
