Section 4 AAC 06.079 - Seal or Biliteracy(a) The Seal of Biliteracy is established to recognize high school students who have attained proficiency in the areas of speaking, listening, writing, and reading in one or more world languages in addition to proficiency in English language arts. A district may elect to offer a Seal of Biliteracy to the district students.(b) High school students must meet the following criteria to be awarded the Seal of Biliteracy: (1) demonstrate proficiency in English language arts by meeting the statewide minimum graduation requirements in language arts under 4 AAC 06.075 with a grade point average of 2.5 or higher on a scale of 4.0, and one of the following: (A) achieve proficient or higher on the standards-based assessment in English language arts under 4 AAC 06.739;(B) achieve an overall composite score of 4.5 or higher on the state-approved assessment of English language proficiency under 4 AAC 34.055(c) with a score of 3.5 or higher in each of the testing domains;(C) achieve a score of 16 or higher on the English language arts (ELA) portion of the AC 9 administered by ACT, Inc.(D) achieve a score of 460 or higher on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW) portion of the SAT, administered by the College Board Educational Testing Service; or(E) achieve a score of 4 or higher on the reading for information and locating information areas of the WorkKeys assessment, administered by ACT, Inc(2) demonstrate proficiency in one or more world languages through one of the following methods: (A) achieve a score of three or higher on a world language Advanced Placement examination, administered by the College Board, Educational Testing Service; or(B) achieve a score of five or higher on a world language International Baccalaureate standard level examination;(C) achieve a score of four or higher on a world language International Baccalaureate higher level examination;(D) demonstrate proficiency in the areas of listening, speaking, writing, and reading through other national or international assessments at a level comparable to intermediate-mid level proficiency or higher based on the alternative foreign language proficiency assessment standards adopted by reference in 4 AAC 04.225;(E) demonstrate proficiency in the areas of listening, speaking, writing, and reading through a work sample, body of evidence, or portfolio at a level comparable to intermediate-mid level proficiency or higher based on the alternative foreign language proficiency assessment standards adopted by reference in 4 AAC 04.225 if a national or international assessment is not available; or(F) demonstrate proficiency in the areas of listening, speaking, writing, and reading through an assessment process recognized by a tribal government at a level comparable to intermediate-mid level proficiency or higher based on the alternative foreign language proficiency assessment standards adopted by reference in 4 AAC 04.225.(c) A student who seeks to qualify for the Seal of Biliteracy through a language that is not characterized by listening, speaking, or reading, or for which there is no written system, shall demonstrate proficiency through assessment on the modalities that characterize communication in that language at a level comparable to intermediate-mid level proficiency or higher based on the alternative foreign language proficiency assessment standards adopted by reference in 4 AAC 04.225.(d) A participating district shall (1) develop a written policy regarding the awarding of the Seal of Biliteracy;(2) provide assessment opportunities at least once annually; and(3) allow a student to begin the qualifying process during the student's freshman year.(e) A participating district may charge a fee to cover the costs of the assessments.(f) A participating district shall award the Seal of Biliteracy to a student who meets the requirements of this section and shall provide notice of the award on the student's high school transcript and diploma.(g) A participating district shall report to the department the number of students awarded t the Seal of Biliteracy not later than June 30 of each year. The report must identify the world languages in which the students have gained proficiency.(h) In this section, "world language" means a non-English language; "world language" includes Alaska Native languages, American Indian languages, and American Sign Language.Eff. 8/27/2022, Register 243, October 2022; am 8/21/2024, Register 251, October 2024As of Register 245 (April 2023), the regulations attorney made corrections under AS 44.62.125(b)(6), to 4 AAC 06.079 to reflect adopted changes not previously incorporated.
Authority:AS 14.07.020
AS 14.07.060