R277-499. Seal of Biliteracy

R277.  Education, Administration.

R277-499.  Seal of Biliteracy.

R277-499-1.  Authority and Purpose.

          (1)  This rule is authorized by:

          (a)  Utah Constitution Article X, Section 3, which vests general control and supervision over public education in the Board;

          (b)  Subsection 53E-3-401(4), which allows the Board to make rules to execute the Board's duties and responsibilities under the Utah Constitution and state law; and

          (c)  Subsection 53E-3-501(1)(b), which allows the Board to establish rules and minimum standards for graduation requirements.

          (2)  The purpose of this rule is to establish rules and procedures for a student to earn a Seal of Biliteracy in conjunction with a high school diploma.

R277-499-2.  Definitions.

          (1)  "Intermediate Mid" means a level of language proficiency in terms of speaking, writing, listening, and reading in real-world situations in a spontaneous and non-rehearsed context, as established by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages or tribal education directors.

          (2)  "Seal of Biliteracy " means a recognition, awarded in conjunction with a student's high school diploma, which certifies that a student is proficient in English and at Intermediate-Mid level or higher in one or more world languages.

          (3)  "World language" means a language other than English and includes:

          (a)  American Sign Language;

          (b)  American Native Languages, such as Navajo or Ute; and

          (c)  classical languages, such as Latin.

R277-499-3.  Procedures for Award of Seal of Biliteracy.

          (1)(a)  An LEA may develop a local application process for a student who wishes to earn the Seal of Biliteracy.

          (b)  An LEA application process shall include procedures for:

          (i)  advertising the criteria for the Seal of Biliteracy;

          (ii)  tracking students who may qualify for the Seal of Biliteracy; and

          (iii)  documenting student progress.

          (c)  An LEA shall train counselors and world language coordinators to provide information on the application process to interested students.

          (d)  The Superintendent shall provide an application template which an LEA may use in the application process.

          (2)  An LEA may award the Seal of Biliteracy to a student who:

          (a)  demonstrates proficiency in an English assessment; and

          (b)  demonstrates a minimum of Intermediate Mid-level proficiency in a world language assessment.

          (3)(a)  The Superintendent shall maintain a list of acceptable national and international tests with qualifying scores to demonstrate proficiency as required by this rule.

          (b)  The Superintendent shall review and update the list provided by Subsection (3)(a) on a regular basis and publish the information on the Board's website.

          (4)  If a student meets the requirements of Subsection (2):

          (a)  the Superintendent shall place the Seal of Biliteracy electronically on the student's transcript; and

          (b)  an LEA may place a seal on the student's paper diploma.

KEY:  biliteracy, seal, world languages

Date of Last Change:  December 23, 2021

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law:  Art X Sec 3; 53E-3-401(4); 53E-3-501(1)(b)

Status of Rule

Effective December 23, 2021

Five-year review December 6, 2026

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Oversight Framework

Uncategorized

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Related Utah Law

Public Education Statutes
None

Other Statutes
None

USBE Administrative Rules
R277-100, Definitions for USBE Rules

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Related Federal Law

None

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Resources

None

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Contact Information

 Primary Contact:
Karl Bowman
karl.bowman@schools.utah.gov
Dual Language Immersion

Secondary Contact:
Robert Austin
robert.austin@schools.utah.gov
Social Studies

This page was last updated on November 9, 2011.

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NOTE: The information on this webpage is provided as a service to users and the Utah State Board of Education is not responsible for any errors or omissions.

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