From Learning Standards to Seal of Biliteracy: A Practical Pathway

Across Ohio, the Seal of Biliteracy has become more than a credential; it’s a celebration of multilingual achievement. Awarded to graduating high school seniors who demonstrate high levels of proficiency in English and at least one other world language, it is one of 12 diploma seals students can earn to show they are prepared for their next steps after high school.

Aligned with Ohio’s vision to ensure students are prepared for success in the real world, the seal signals to colleges, employers, and military recruiters that a graduate possesses valuable intercultural communication skills. To make this opportunity accessible to all, districts are building sustainable pathways that are rooted in Ohio’s Learning Standards for World Languages and Cultures. Districts that have implemented standards-based programs report increased student engagement and a stronger sense of pride among heritage speakers. 

Ohio’s learning standards are designed to move world language learners toward communicative competence. They outline clear performance descriptors across interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational modes, anchoring instruction in real-world language use. 

When teachers align daily learning targets to these descriptors, they create a transparent progression that leads to the Intermediate High level of proficiency required for the seal. For example, a novice-level goal might focus on exchanging basic personal information, while an intermediate-level target emphasizes negotiating meaning in unfamiliar contexts. This clarity helps educators design lessons that articulate learning toward proficiency benchmarks and gives students a tangible sense of progress.

Districts that succeed in scaling their programs embed assessment throughout the curriculum. While tools like Language Testing International’s ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL) and Avant Assessment’s STAMP 4s provide reliable measures, the groundwork starts in the classroom with performance tasks that reflect authentic communication. For instance, a presentational writing task on cultural comparisons can serve as both a summative assessment and a preparation step for proficiency testing. Teachers who integrate these tasks regularly not only gather important data but also normalize the testing experience, reducing anxiety and improving outcomes. This approach ensures that proficiency is a natural extension of daily learning.

Beyond instruction, program design matters. Successful districts establish clear timelines, designate coordinators, and communicate language proficiency growth expectations early. Stakeholder engagement with administrators, counselors, and families ensures that students understand the benefits of earning the Seal of Biliteracy. Some districts integrate Seal of Biliteracy milestones into individual graduation plans, and others host informational nights or create promotional materials. These structural supports make the Ohio Seal of Biliteracy attainable for all learners, not just those already planning to pursue advanced language study.

If you haven’t yet launched a Seal of Biliteracy program or wish to strengthen a current program, begin by revisiting Ohio’s Learning Standards for World Languages and Cultures and mapping your curriculum to proficiency targets. Identify assessment checkpoints, explore proficiency testing logistics and options, and share your vision with your community. Consider starting with pilot groups of motivated world language learners and heritage language students to refine your process before scaling your Seal of Biliteracy program school- or districtwide. Find various resources and tools to grow your program on the Department’s Seal of Biliteracy webpage.

The Seal of Biliteracy is more than an award. It’s a statement that Ohio values global competence. Your efforts can help make sure that every student has the chance to earn a Seal of Biliteracy and, in doing so, prepare them for success in college, careers, military service, and civic life in a global society.

References

Ohio’s Learning Standards for World Languages and Cultures (2020). Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Learning-in-Ohio/World-Languages-and-Cultures/Ohio-s-Learning-Standards-for-World-Languages-and 

Ohio Seal of Biliteracy Webpage (2018). Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.
https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Ohio-s-Graduation-Requirements/Ohio%e2%80%99s-Graduation-Requirements/Graduation-Seals/Seal-of-Biliteracy