"A school district may establish a program to recognize high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in one or more language in addition to English, by designating on a student’s transcript and high school diploma his or her receipt of the State Seal of Biliteracy, provided that all the conditions of this Section are met."

Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy      www.isbe.net/sealofbiliteracy

• High School Seniors that meet English criteria and are at Intermediate-High in L2 qualify for the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy
• High School Seniors at meet English criteria and are at Intermediate-Low in L2 qualify for the Commendation Toward the Seal
• The Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy counts for 2 yeras of World Language credit on the HS transcript as competency-based credit. This serves ELs with a heritage language not taught in their school.
• In the Illinois State University System, the State Seal of Biliteracy can be used for Advanced Placement college credit. Example: University of Illinois-Champaign Urbana

​Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy Data

States with a Seal of Biliteracy Program

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Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy FAQs

1. School District must apply with ISBE to participate, designate a contact Administrator and provide ISBE with student data.  All forms, PowerPoint training, testing and recognition information is housed on the ISBE Seal of Biliteracy page.
2. Illinois provides two awards:  Seal of Biliteracy for those with a "high level of proficiency" - for most languages this level is Intermediate High (4/5 on the AP Exam).  A secondary award is the Commendation Toward Biliteracy (Intermediate-Low).
3. Students must meet the language proficiency criteria in BOTH ENGLISH and the SECOND LANGUAGE.  The second language may be a home language, learned in school or through travel or outside means.  A variety of assessments are available and include AP testing as well as AAPPL or STAMP 4S Assessments which may be given at any time.  Accommodations are available for students with special testing needs and portfolio assessments may be used.  See ISBE for further details.
4. School Districts may recognize the students in any way that they choose, but must indicate the award on BOTH the student diploma and transcript.  Illinois state universities, by state law, are required to provide university credit for Seal recipients. 
5.  ICTFL offers a wide variety of professional learning and support to districts adopting the Seal of Biliteracy through our TALL-IL Program's onsite institutes and through our summer Oral Proficiency Interview Workshops.  For more information, contact ICTFL Executive Director, Todd Bowen, at ictfl.director@gmail.com   

ICTFL joined NABE and Multilingual Chicago advocates to launch the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy for Chicago Public Schools.

Illinois 98th General Assembly awarded the FIRST Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy to 2013 graduating seniors from Lincoln-Way Community High School District #210 and honored them with this special certificate.

When students are recognized for their bilingual skills, they continue their language study. They are: #2Bilit2Quit.