Seal of Biliteracy

The Missouri Seal of Biliteracy is an award granted by a local district to recognize a student who has attained proficiency in English and one or more other world language(s) before high school graduation. The recognition of attaining biliteracy becomes a part of the high school transcript for these students and serves to certify attainment of biliteracy for the community, employers and universities.

The Missouri Seal is meant to

• encourage the study of a second language;
• recognize, promote, and praise students for their accomplishment;
• value diversity;
• provide employers with a means of identifying bilingual employees;
• provide universities with a method to recognize and give credit to applicants;
• prepare students with 21st century skills that will benefit them in a global economy and society; and
• strengthen relationships and honor the cultures and languages in a community.

• Certifies attainment of biliteracy to employers, universities, and the community
• Provides for possible university incentives
• Provides official documentation on high school transcript
• Offers recognition at high school graduation ceremony
• Gives special recognition from the district including a certificate and a graduation cord.

The Missouri Seal is intended to be earned by graduating high school students as well as awarded and celebrated at the culmination of the students’ senior year. Native English speaking students may acquire the second language through traditional world language classrooms, community-based programs, at home, worldly experiences or any other method attempted by the student. English learners (ELs) and other heritage language learners are also eligible. It is important to emphasize that ALL students acquiring any language in addition to English is a potential awardee. As the Missouri Seal is intended to promote not only the acquisition of a second language but also the participation in a global society and economy, a measure of sociocultural competency is required of all students earning the Missouri Seal.

Standard Seal of Biliteracy

All students must:

• Meet any of the English testing criteria:
  • Proficient or higher on the English II EOC
  • 18 or higher on ACT English or Reading Portion
  • 4.0 or higher on ACCESS (ML students)
• Meet any of the World Language testing criteria:
  • Intermediate 3 (I3)in each domain on ACTFL- AAPPL 
  • 3 or higher on Advanced Placement Language and Culture or Literature and Culture Assessment
• Demonstrate Sociocultural Competence

Distinguished Seal of Biliteracy

All students must: 

• Meet any of the English testing criteria:
  • Advanced on the English II EOC
  • 21 on ACT English or Reading Portion
  • 4.7 or higher on ACCESS (ML students)
• Meet any of the World Language testing criteria:
  • Advanced (A)in each domain on ACTFL- AAPPL 
  • 5 on Advanced Placement Language and Culture or Literature and Culture Assessment
• Demonstrate Sociocultural Competence

 Information provided by the MO Seal of Biliteracy Resource Guide.

Yes, students who meet the requirements in more than one world language can the Missouri Seal of Biliteracy in each language.

No, the Missouri Seal of Biliteracy is not tied to high school credits and is not awarded based on course completion requirements.

Yes, American Sign Language is recognized as a world language.

Each participating Missouri university has its own guidelines for the awarding of college credit hours for those students who are awarded the Missouri Seal of Biliteracy.  Seal of Biliteracy recipients should check with their university. These Missouri universities have endorsed the Seal of Biliteracy:

• Evangel University
• Metropolitan Community College
• Missouri State University
• Missouri Southern State University
• North Central Missouri College
• Northwest Missouri State University
• Ozark Technical Community College
• Southeast Missouri State University
• Truman State University
• University of Central Missouri
• University of Missouri - Kansas City
• William Woods University