The Seal of Biliteracy

பிலிட்டரசியின் முத்திரை

About New Jersey State Seal of Biliteracy

The New Jersey State Seal of Biliteracy is an award given by the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) in recognition of students who have studied and attained proficiency in at least one language in addition to English by high school graduation.

This designation on a student’s high school diploma also provides employers and universities with a method of identifying bilingual candidates, students with 21st century skills, and those who have prioritized the study of other languages and cultures. 

Moreover, the State Seal of Biliteracy emphasizes the importance of both bilingualism, which facilitates improved communication and boosts the local economy, and cultural understanding, which promotes social acceptance.

Validity of Seal of Biliteracy

The seal of Biliteracy is Valid for 3 years. Students who pass with a score Intermediate Mid in 11th grade can use this credit until 2nd year of college.

Seal of Biliteracy Vs Credits from Accredited School

How to get assessed in Tamil for Seal of Biliteracy:
- - 1. High School Students in their Junior year (11th Grade) should request to their High school Counselor that they want to take the Seal of Biliteracy for Tamil Language. The High School Counsellor will then let them know the procedure to take it in their school.
    2. Fees: The Fees payment depends on the school district. Parsippany School district pays for the exam. Kindly get all the details from the school Counsellor.
When can students take the Seal of Biliteracy test?

The testing window for the Seal of Biliteracy is January 1 of a student’s junior year through the NJDOE testing deadline of February 8 of a student’s senior year.

Can students retake all or parts of an assessment?

Yes. All senior testing, including retakes, must be completed by the NJDOE testing deadline of February 8 of their senior year. Districts should reach out to assessment vendors to learn more about their retake policies.

Does the Seal of Biliteracy come with any high school credits?

No. The Seal of Biliteracy indicates recognition of a minimum proficiency level attained by a student in at least one language in addition to English. The Seal of Biliteracy is not awarded based on seat time or course completion requirements, and it is not tied to credits.  Attainment of the seal does not provide credits toward graduation and does not act in any way as full or partial fulfillment for a student's being granted a diploma. Information about graduation requirements can be found in N.J.A.C. 6A:8-5.1.

Benefit of attending Tamil school:

Tamil school Graduates: Kids completing until grade 8 in our Tamil school can easily pass the Seal of Biliteracy exam. Kids who have graduated from Tamil school can volunteer in our school this way they will keep in touch with our Tamil language and earn volunteer hours.
High School kids currently in lower grades can also prepare separately using the syllabus that MN Tamil school has prepared. They have the last 10 years of syllabus of the ACTFL exam papers. Please refer to the links in this doc for the materials.

Seal of Biliteracy EXAM Pattern:

Third party vendors conduct the exams. LTI (Language Testing International) has the exclusive license of ACTFL (American Council of Teaching Foreign Language)
It has an OPI (Oral Proficiency Test) and WPT (Written Proficiency Test). There are five categories- WSLR - Writing, Speaking, Listening and Reading.

Seal of Biliteracy Pass Level:

ACTFL has 11 levels of grading- Novice Low (Beginner level) to Distinguished (Topmost level).
Students have to at least score Intermediate Mid to get the Seal of Biliteracy. Intermediate-Can-Do-Statements.pdf (actfl.org), ACTFL | NCSSFL-ACTFL Can-Do Statements

https://www.actfl.org/uploads/files/general/OralProficiencyWorkplacePoster.pdf