What is the Seal of Biliteracy Award?

The Seal of Biliteracy is a prestigious academic honor awarded to graduating high school students who demonstrate high-level proficiency in English and at least one additional language. This recognition celebrates the valuable achievement of bilingualism and biliteracy. The State of Maryland officially launched the Seal of Biliteracy in the 2016–2017 school year to recognize the linguistic and academic accomplishments of multilingual students.

The Seal of Biliteracy: Recognizing Language Proficiency 

The Seal of Biliteracy is a national recognition awarded to students who have demonstrated proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation. In a country where multilingualism is increasingly recognized as an employability asset, the Seal serves as a powerful indicator of a student’s language abilities, offering a valued language credential. 

The Seal of Biliteracy, now offered in all 50 states, has been gaining the attention of both colleges and employers who recognize the value of multilingualism in today’s global economy. Students who earn the Seal of Biliteracy can earn college credit in a growing number of colleges and universities, and are seen as more competitive in the job market. 

Events like the recent Seal of Biliteracy Summit organized by the US Department of Education, have highlighted the importance of language proficiency in various industries, from healthcare to finance to government. Employers are increasingly looking for candidates who can communicate across cultures, and students with the Seal of Biliteracy are better positioned to meet this demand. 

Source: Language Testing International 

More information about the Maryland Seal of Biliteracy is available on the MSDE website.