Diploma Endorsement for Biliteracy

The Colorado Diploma Endorsement for Biliteracy is a credential given by a Colorado school or district recognizing students who have studied and attained proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation. An endorsed diploma encourages students to pursue biliteracy skills that are attractive to future employers and college admissions office.

In order to earn the seal from Estes Park Schools, students must demonstrate their mastery of both English and another world language using the criteria below.

Complete all Graduation Requirements

Students must fulfill all graduation requirements of Estes Park High School in order to earn the Seal of Biliteracy.  This includes completing all English Language Arts coursework with an overall GPA of at least 3.0 in the required English Language Arts courses.

Show Literacy in English

Students must complete one of the following: 

• ACT-English ≥ 18;
• AP English Language & Composition ≥ 3;
• AP English Literature & Composition ≥ 3;
• IB English Language & Literature A ≥ 4;
• SAT (English Section) ≥ 430;
• English 121-Community College Course  C- or better.

Show Literacy in a World Language

Students must complete one of the following in their senior year: 

• AP Spanish Language, AP French Language, AP German Language ≥ 3;
• IB Spanish B, IB French B, IB German B ≥ 4;
• AAPPL Assessment (Arabic, Mandarin, French, German, Hindi, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Thai) I4 or higher/Intermediate-mid or higher.
   

At a regular board meeting on May 21st, 2018, the Board of Education adopted a resolution supporting and charging the district with pursuing a program that would allow students to earn a seal or credential of biliteracy on their high school diploma.

Estes Park Schools: Resolution for the Seal of Biliteracy

WHEREAS, preparing all students with future-focused language and communication skills is critical for college and career readiness; and

WHEREAS, mastery of two or more languages makes important contributions to a student’s cognitive development, understanding of diverse cultures, and economic opportunities; and

WHEREAS, the study of foreign languages contributes towards our national economy and our national security; and

WHEREAS, multiple languages are a critical element in enabling our city and state to participate
effectively in global, political, social and economic context; and

WHEREAS, the demand for employees to be fluent in more than one language is increasing in both
Colorado and throughout the world; and

WHEREAS, our community is home to speakers from multiple language and cultural groups, and to build trust and understanding across the multiple language and cultural groups requires multilingual communication skills; and

THEREFORE, it is the intent of the district to promote the development of literacy in two or more languages and to provide recognition of the attainment of those needed and important skills through the establishment of a Seal of Biliteracy on the high school diplomas or transcripts of students attaining functional proficiency in one or more languages, in addition to English.

Through the establishment of this Seal of Biliteracy, the district seeks to:

• Encourage students to develop biliteracy skills.
• Provide employers with a method of identifying people with language and biliteracy skills.
• Revitalize and promote foreign language instruction for our schools.
• Encourage the development of dual language immersion programs, and foreign, native and heritage language programs in schools.
• Recognize and honor our rich and diverse language assets.

The Superintendent or designee shall approve applications for the award based on a review of student qualifications in accordance with district-established criteria.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board directs the Superintendent to implement the Seal of Biliteracy and the Pathway to Biliteracy Awards beginning in the 2018-2019 school year.