Nine students awarded Seal of Biliteracy

Nine+students+awarded+Seal+of+Biliteracy

courtesy of Dr. Rudnesky

Nine HHS students were awarded the NJDOE Seal of Biliteracy certificate in a ceremony on May 31.

Pictured (L to R): Katelyn Clark, Lauren Chew, Collin Volk, Royce Loeffler, Joseph Andress, Amiya Porteons, David Arevalo, and Thalia Nieves.

Also pictured (L to R) are World Language District Supervisor Thomas Fisher, German teacher George Hemphill, Spanish teacher Carmen O’Donnell, and Assistant Superintendent Tammy Leonard.

According to the New Jersey Department of Education website,  by achieving the Seal of Biliteracy, students demonstrate that they are able to speak, read, listen and write in two or more languages at a high level of proficiency.

The Seal of Biliteracy seeks to:

  • Encourage students to study languages
  • Certify attainment of biliteracy
  • Provide employers with a method of identifying people with language and biliteracy skills
  • Provide universities with a method to recognize and award academic credit to applicants seeking admission
  • Prepare students with 21st century skills
  • Recognize and promote second language instruction in public schools
  • Strengthen intergroup relationships, affirm the value of diversity, and honor the multiple cultures and language of a community

Students had to earn a passing score on one of the following assessments:

  • A score of IM on the OPI© and WPT
  • A score of 4 or higher on the Advanced Placement (AP) World Language and Culture exam in junior year or
  • A score of Level i3 in all modes of the ACTFL AAPPL or A score of Intermediate Mid (5 or higher) on the STAMP assessment in both Writing/Speaking and Reading/Listening levels
  • An International Baccalaureate score of 4 or higher or
  • A score of I3 in ALIRA in Latin or • A Score of 3.0 or higher on the ASLPI or Intermediate Plus on the SLPI in American Sign Language