Honoring Biliteracy and Our StudentsThe Seal of Biliteracy

California Department of Education

EL Accountability Institute

December 2009

Shelly Spiegel-Coleman

“You can tell the values of a society by what it counts. We count what matters to us.”

Albert Schweitzer

Are our schools measuring the outcomes that are important to us?

Every era has to ask……

Are our schools preparing our students for the world they are entering?

Are we teaching and valuing the skills and type of knowledge students will need in order to function, thrive and lead in this era?

Mastery of two or more languages….

Cognitive benefits (brain research)Economic benefits (skills needed in

corporate and service sectors and international trade)

Societal need (people who can bridge communities, defense and international understanding)

Family strengthening and cohesionEducational benefits

Strong research evidence

National Literacy Panel for Language Minority Children and Youth (mandated by Congress, released in 2008)

CDE Professional Papers “Improving Education for English Learners: Research-Based Approaches” - forthcoming Fall ‘09

Collier and Thomas study of 360,000 English Learners across five well-implemented models

Proposition 227 evaluation

And yet…..

Fastest ever rates of language lossLess instruction for biliteracy than a

decade ago - fewer students taking World Language courses

Persistent achievement gap between English Learners and others

A schooling system that produces monolingualism

There are efforts to reach for a vision of biliteracyDual language immersion schools (aka

Two Way Immersion)Heritage language programs and FLESDistricts establishing multilingualism as a

goal for all studentsand…… a move to recognize and

celebrate attainment of biliteracy

California School Boards Association

Sample board policySample administrative

regulations

School Districts with Seals

Albuquerque Public School DistrictEastside Union High School DistrictGlendale Unified School District

Rowland Unified School District Sweetwater Union High School District Ventura Unified School District

Step One

Decide the levels at which the awards will be given

• Preschool

• Elementary

• Middle School

• High school Creation of Pathway Awards and Seals

Step 2

Purpose of AwardsTo encourage students to pursue

bilingualismTo certify attainment of biliteracyTo recognize and value the biliteracy skills in

all students• To provide universities with a method to

recognize and give credit to applicants with biliteracy skills To prepare students for the 21st Century

Step 2 (con’t)

Rationale and Frame for the AwardStrengthening intergroup relationsAffirming the value of diversityStrengthening skills of literacy and problem

solving

Step ThreeDetermine the Criteria

Elementary School

Elementary SchoolService/Participation Award and Biliteracy

AwardBoth based upon a portfolio system plus

language proficiency and academic indicators

Portfolio

Completing hours of community service using primary language skills

Ability to translate for specific purposesWritten essays on the value of

bilingualism Reading logs of books read in English

and another language

Service Award focuses on language proficiency and attitude toward bilingualism

Biliteracy Award focuses on academic achievement in English and another language

Middle School

Pathway Award – “Pursuit of Bilingualism Award”Participation in at least two years of Foreign

Language class or Native Speakers class with passing grades

Standards test in English at proficient or better levelOral presentation about 5 careers where

bilingualism is important Personal response essay to having

attended two cultural events from second language/culture being studied

Biliteracy Attainment AwardProficient or above in Standards Test in Spanish or

district assessment in languages other then EnglishOral proficiency in a language other than EnglishEnglish Standards Test at proficient or above

Average grade of B or above in English classes and World languages/Native language classes

Written and oral presentations about bilingualism or cultural experiences

For English learners – redesignation to RFEP

High School-Seal of Biliteracy

Design the Award

The world is richer than it is possible to express in

any one language.Ilya Prigogine

Nobel Prize winning scientist

Be Part of the Statewide Movement

Notify Californians Together to include your district in any media or outreach to others

Use media in your local area• Attend a regional orientation on the Seal of

Biliteracy next year and bring a district team Share the CSBA policy and regulations with

your board members and administrators Get sponsors and community partners to

support your Seal Program Complete Seal of Biliteracy Interest Survey Complete the Rapid Response Network

form

Californians Together

23 Statewide parent, professional and civil rights organizations

Focus on improving policy and practice for the education of English learners

Bilingual Reading First Funds Reauthorization of BCLAD Legislation vetoed to include Spanish Standards Test

in API and AYP etc. Monitoring State and Federal Funds Lawsuit