The Seal of Biliteracy is an award to recognize students who have attained proficiency in English and any other language(s), by high school graduation. In Vermont, the Vermont Foreign Language Association (VFLA), has partnered with the Agency of Education to award students who demonstrate these proficiencies.

All students are eligible to attain the Seal based on evidence of achieving the required level of language proficiency in English plus one or more languages during their high school years, whether that be a Heritage language, or a language learned in school or another setting. Biliteracy refers to having a functional level of proficiency in each language; the level of proficiency for all languages need not be identical.

Entry Points

There are multiple entry points to earning the Seal of Biliteracy including learning a world language, indigenous language, or American Sign Language at school, or at a location other than a Vermont public school; learning English at school; or Heritage Learning, which includes students living in multilingual households. Also eligible are students who are homeschooled and those enrolled in Flexible Pathways programs, such as the High School Completion Program and Early College.Students will receive the Seal as early as the end of their junior year, or prior to, or during graduation. 

Application

Students in our district who believe they may qualify for the Seal of Biliteracy should contact the guidance office to coordinate proficiency testing and the application process. Students who are enrolled in French or Spanish at Hazen can contact their language teachers. Click this link to learn more.

Questions? Contact Kay Freedy, Hazen Union World Language Teacher or Hannah Martin-O’Brien, Hazen Union World Language Teacher.