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CA State Seal of Biliteracy

 

The State Seal of Biliteracy (SSB) is a recognition from the California State Superintendent of Instruction of graduating high school seniors who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing, in one or more languages, in addition to English. The SSB is an indicator of accomplishment for future employers and college admissions. It consists of a gold, embossed seal affixed to the student’s diploma and is reflected on the student’s transcript. Go to the Application!

 

The State Seal of Biliteracy is awarded at the end of a student's senior year.

However, the requirements for the SSB can be met at any time in high school.

 

Applications for Seniors are due Friday, April 24, 2026

 
The completed application (accessed below), including signatures and all required documents (AP score OR Teacher Oral Verification Proficiency Form), must be given directly to your school counselor.  As part of the application packet, please also include a signed transcript release form for coursework and GPA verification. 
PUSD has adopted the California State Seal of Biliteracy (SSB) to be awarded to our high school seniors. The SSB provides recognition to high school students who are fluent in two or more languages. To be considered candidates for the SSB, students must meet the criteria outlined below. Once the requirements have been met, the SSB insignia will be placed on the student's diploma and noted on their final high school transcript.
 
To earn the California State Seal of Biliteracy, you must be a senior and meet ONE criteria in each section. Please return this application, your transcript, and all other applicable verification documents (copies of score reports) to the counseling staff at your school no later than April 24, 2026.
 
Section 1 - ENGLISH PROFICIENCY: CHOOSE ONE METHOD
 
COURSEWORK
  • Completed four years of English courses with an overall GPA of 3.0 or above in those classes. Please provide a copy of your transcript with this application.   
- OR -
ASSESSMENT
  • Option 1 - State Assessment: Pass CAASPP for English language arts in 11th grade with “Standards Met” or above.
  • Option 2 - Advanced Placement: Pass AP Language and Composition examination, AP English Literature and Composition examination, or AP Seminar examination with a score of 3 or higher.
  • Option 3 - International Baccalaureate (IB): Pass an English IB examination with a score of 4 or higher.
  • Option 4 - SAT: Achieve a score of 480 or above on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section of the SAT
 
Section 2 - WORLD LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: CHOOSE ONE METHOD
 
COURSEWORK
- OR -
ASSESSMENT
  • Option 1 - Advanced Placement: Pass a world language AP examination with a score of 3 or higher.
  • Option 2 - International Baccalaureate (IB): Pass an IB world language examination with a score of 4 or higher
  • Option 3 - ACTFL: Pass an ACTFL Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) and Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) with scores of intermediate, mid, or higher.
  • Option 4 - AVANT: Pass an AVANT language examination with a 6 or higher
  • Option 5 - Tagalog: Pass the PUSD-approved Tagalog assessment with a score of 75% or higher on the reading assessment and Stage 2 “High” or higher on the Listening, Speaking, and Writing
 
Additional Requirement for Students Currently Classified as English Learners: 
In addition to the requirements mentioned above, students who are classified as English learners must attain an oral language composite score of level 4 on the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC).
 
It is the student's responsibility to apply for the California State Seal of Biliteracy by submitting all required paperwork by the deadline of April 24, 2026, for the class of 2026.
 
Application Forms and Flyers 
CA Seal of Biliteracy Application
Oral Proficiency Verification 2026
SSB Requirements
Transcript Request Form
CA Department of Education- Flyer
 

 

STAMP 4s Language Proficiency Exam Testing Information

STAMP 4S and STAMP WS Examination Q & ALinks to an external site.

 

For Qualifying* Seniors Only

 

Students WHO HAVE NOT met the following world language criteria for the State Seal of Biliteracy are eligible to take the AVANT Language Exam. In other words, if any of the following apply to you, please do not sign up for the AVANT Language Exam.

 

  • Passed an AP class with a 3.0 average and the Oral proficiency exam
  • Passed a 7/8 world language class with a 3.0 average and the Oral proficiency exam
  • Passed a world language AP Exam or are scheduled for the exam
  • Passed an SAT II language exam
  • Passed the district-approved Tagalog language assessment

 

If the above criteria do not apply to you, and you want to apply for the State Seal of Biliteracy, please complete the AVANT Language Exam interest list. 

 

AVANT Test Date: Saturday, April 4, 2026

Testing Location: Rancho Bernardo High School 

AVANT Test Time: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 

*Sign up by March 11th via SSB Canvas Course* (see note below)

 

Note: If interested in taking the AVANT, students must email Mr. LeMaster (via Canvas) to register for the AVANT. The deadline to email Mr. LeMaster is March 11.

- Your message must include:

  • your intention to take the AVANT 4S or AVANT WS language assessment, and
  • the language you wish to assess.

 

What do you need on test day? 

*Seniors must meet all English proficiency requirements to be eligible to take a STAMP 4s examination.

 

Who orders the AVANT language assessment?

Jonathan LeMaster will order the assessments through AVANT.

 

How long does the assessment take?

The assessment takes approximately 2-4 hours.

 

When should we expect results?

The exam usually takes two weeks to grade. Jonathan LeMaster will send results to students directly.

 

Do you have more questions about AVANT?

Please read and save the AVANT Q & A document. Click on the outline cluster on the left side of the document to see all the sections of the document.

 


 

If you have further questions, please email your DNHS School Counselor.