Teaching & Learning

Oklahoma Seal of Biliteracy

Are you taking a World Language course? Do you know another language besides English?

Are you a Jenks High School Student currently enrolled in 10th -12th grade?

Earn the Oklahoma Seal of Biliteracy!

Application windows will be available each year in the fall semester. During the 2022-2023 school year, high school students may complete the application for the Oklahoma Seal of Biliteracy using the hyperlink below on or before Friday, October 7, 2022. Due to the Oklahoma Seal of Biliteracy requirements, students are encouraged to apply for the seal their junior or senior year. If students need additional testing to complete the Oklahoma Seal of Biliteracy application, seniors will receive priority scheduling. 

Apply Here
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Overview

The Oklahoma Seal of Biliteracy is an award given by the Oklahoma State Department of Education in recognition of students who have studied and attained proficiency in English as well as an additional language upon high school graduation. It represents the state’s commitment to value the whole student and foster pride in the cultural and linguistic heritage of our students. 

The Oklahoma Seal of Biliteracy encourages students to study languages, certifies attainment of biliteracy skills, recognizes the value of language diversity, and prepares students with 21st-century skills that will benefit them in the labor market and the global society.

Visit the Oklahoma State Department of Education Seal of Biliteracy page for more information.

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Employment Advantages

Many employers pay more to bilingual employees. Language skills are in very high demand and may lead to hiring advantages and increased salaries!

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College & University Benefits

Many colleges and universities recognize the benefits of bilingualism which include improved memory, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, enhanced concentration, ability to multitask, better listening skills, greater creativity and flexibility, and the ability to switch between competing tasks and monitor changes in your environment more easily. 

Being able to prove your bilingual and biliterate skills may give you an advantage in getting into the college or university of your choice or being considered for scholarships!

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Diverse Languages

Demonstrate language proficiency on an approved assessment: Arabic, Albanian, Amharic, Bangla, Bosnian, Bulgarian, Cantonese, Chinese (Mandarin), Creole, Croatian, Dari, French, German, Gujarati, Haitian, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Malayam, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, Tagalog, Tamil, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, Vietnamese, Yoruba, and Zomi. Other languages may be available upon request.

**Native American Languages - Assessments will be developed and approved through Tribal language departments in cooperation with the Oklahoma State Department of Education.

Oklahoma Seal of Biliteracy Levels

  • Gold Level: "Intermediate-Mid" level scores  in each area:  listening, speaking, reading, and writing in other language assessment  (based on ACTFL guidance) AND demonstrate English proficiency.

  • Platinum Level:“Advanced-Low” Level scores in each area:  listening, speaking, reading, and writing in other language assessment (based on ACTFL guidance) AND demonstrate English proficiency.

How do I qualify for the Oklahoma Seal of Biliteracy?

  • Complete the Oklahoma Seal of Biliteracy application on this page, first.

  • Demonstrate English proficiency on ONE of these assessments: ACT, AP English Language or English Literature, ACCESS, SAT & PSAT. See Oklahoma State Department of Education proficiency guidelines HERE.

AND

  • Demonstrate Language Proficiency in another language on an assessment offered by JPS. The assessment measures four areas of proficiency- listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

  • You’ll be contacted in the spring to schedule your language proficiency test at school, once you apply AND meet the English proficiency requirement.

Your interest and progress towards the Oklahoma Seal of Biliteracy should be included in your ICAP. See JPS Individual Career Academic Plan on Classlink.

How can I prepare for the target language listening, speaking, reading & writing sections of the test? *

*Please note consistent use of target language increases your ability to obtain a score to meet the Seal of Biliteracy criteria.

  • LISTENING AND SPEAKING SECTIONS

    • Use the strategies on this rubric to keep improving your skills, score level I-3 through A-1, in the target languages.

    • Refer to the next higher level as your target goal to set goals for your practice.

  • WRITING SECTION:

    • Use the strategies on this rubric to keep improving your skills, score level I-3 through A-1 in the target languages.

    • Refer to the next higher level as your target goal to set goals for your practice

    • Practice daily to improve your writing skills in the target language.

  • READING SECTION:

    • Use the strategies on this rubric to keep improving your reading comprehension skills.

    • Refer to the next higher level as your target goal to set goals for your practice.

    • Look for articles and other texts in the target language. Discuss what you understood from your reading with others.

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE OKLAHOMA SEAL OF BILITERACY

Apply Here

You will be contacted individually about paying for the Seal of Biliteracy Assessment.