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The Maryland Seal of Biliteracy is an award given by participating school systems that recognizes a student's high level of proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English and one or more languages.
Starting in California in 2011, the Seal of Biliteracy is now offered in 49 states and the District of Columbia. The Maryland Seal of Biliteracy Bill was signed into law in 2016 and implemented for the first time in 2017.
In 2017, about 1,200 students earned the Maryland Seal of Biliteracy.
What are the requirements to earn the Maryland Seal of Biliteracy?
- Demonstrate Intermediate High proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in a language other than English, as measured by assessments that are aligned to ACTFL (The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) proficiency guidelines.
- Click here for approved assessments. Some home languages will be assessed through MSDE approveed assessments.
How do students test for the Maryland Seal of Biliteracy?
- Students who are scheduled to take an AP or IB language exam are candidates for the Seal of Biliteracy.
- Students who are not scheduled to take an AP or IB Language exam should consult with the world language department chair at your school to obtain information about summer testing for the Seal of Biliteracy through the AVANT/Stamp proficiency exam provided through AACPS or an approved language assessment appropriate to your language. Please complete this form to sign up to take the exam this summer.
For more information about the Maryland Seal of Biliteracy, please refer to the Maryland State Department of Education's web page about the Maryland Seal of Biliteracy.
We also have the Biliteracy Infographic to share with you as well.
Summer Testing in Heritage Language
Please complete this form to sign up to take the exam this summer.
- Demonstrate Intermediate High proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in a language other than English, as measured by assessments that are aligned to ACTFL (The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) proficiency guidelines.
