Growing Recognition of Biliteracy Seals Among High School Graduates Nationwide

The Seal of Biliteracy is booming in U.S. high schools, with over 158,000 graduates recognized for proficiency in 143 languages, highlighting the value of multilingualism.

The recognition of high school graduates for their proficiency in multiple languages is on the rise.

Across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, measures are in place for students to earn the seal of biliteracy.

This honor signifies fluency in both English and an additional language, reflecting the diverse linguistic skills among today’s graduates.

A recent report sheds light on the state-specific data regarding those who have earned this distinction.

Positive Trends in Biliteracy Acquisition

The latest figures reveal a positive trend: in the 2022-23 academic year, a remarkable 158,384 students received the seal of biliteracy—a significant leap from the previous tally of 147,937.

Moreover, the variety of languages for which students are earning seals has broadened considerably.

Despite this growth, there are clear disparities across different states in terms of who receives these seals.

Advocates are particularly focused on improving representation among English learners, as well as U.S.-born students who achieve this recognition.

State-Specific Insights

California, where the initiative for the seal of biliteracy originated over ten years ago as a grassroots movement to honor the language skills of English learners, remains the frontrunner.

In the 2022-23 data compiled from 44 states, nearly 38 percent of all awarded seals came from California, with Florida following as the second highest contributor.

Focusing on states that report how many recipients were previously English learners, New Mexico stands out.

There, close to two-thirds of students who received the seal had engaged in English language learning during their K-12 journey, far exceeding the national average of around 40 percent.

Diverse Languages and Demographics

The report also highlights various demographics of seal recipients, their geographical distribution, and the languages involved in the awards.

Noteworthy is the fact that during the 2022-23 academic year, graduates earned seals in an impressive 143 languages—an increase from the previous year’s count of 127.

This rising trend emphasizes the growing recognition of multilingual abilities in our educational systems.

More states are beginning to prioritize language skills, making them a vital component of high school graduation requirements.

Source: Edweek