- Los Angeles Unified School District
- World Languages and Cultures
Multilingual and Multicultural Education Department
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Biliteracy Awards
- What are the LAUSD Biliteracy Awards?
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The LAUSD Biliteracy Awards is a voluntary student recognition program, consisting of three awards given at different grade levels:
The LAUSD Elementary Pathway to Biliteracy Award - Grade 5
The LAUSD Middle School Pathway to Biliteracy Award - Grade 8
The LAUSD Seal of Biliteracy Award - Grade 12
The Biliteracy Awards advance the District's commitment that every LAUSD student graduates prepared and equipped with the knowledge and skills to participate successfully in college, career, and a diverse 21st Century society. Additionally, the awards build upon the rich linguistic and cultural assets of the District and communicate that the mastery of two or more languages is an important skill that is advantageous in an ever-growing and interconnected global society. - What criteria do students need to meet in order to receive the Biliteracy Award?
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Students in grades 5, 8, and 12, regardless of home language, language classification, or Master Plan instructional program participation, are eligible to apply for the Biliteracy Award, but must meet criteria in English and in a language other than English (LOTE). The criteria for each award are as follows, but contact your the child's school for specific details. (School staff: please refer to REF-026900 and REF-5306.8)LAUSD Elementary Pathway to Biliteracy Award - Grade 5English: "Benchmark" on current year DIBEL(MOY), at grade level TRC, SRI or assessment chosen by the school current year.LOTE: Complete a reading log, score of "4" or "3" on an essay written in the LOTE scored against a district rubricLAUSD Middle School Pathway to Biliteracy Award - Grade 8English: "A" or "B" final semester marks from 7th grade ELA courses and a recommendation rom 8th grade ELA teacher.LOTE: Complete a reading log, score of "4" or "3" on an essay written in the LOTE scored against a district rubric; or those with at least two years of "a-g" world language coursework with a minimum grade of "B" in last semester.LAUSD Seal of Biliteracy Award - Grade 12English: "Meeting" or "Exceeding" the Standards score in ELA section of SBAC from 11th grade year.LOTE: various pathways exist, including 4 years of "a-g" world language coursework, scores of "3" or higher on AP world language exams, score of 600 or higher on SAT Subject Test LOTE exams, any three years of formal instruction using a language other than English in a foreign country, completion of a LAUSD dual language program, and --in a some cases-- certification by principal.
- When are the awards given?
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Schools determine when and how awards are given, typically during events and activities related to the end of the school year, which may include commencement, graduation, special recognition events or other assemblies.
- State and LAUSD Seal of Biliteracy
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State and LAUSD Seal of Biliteracy
The State Seal of Biliteracy (SSB) recognizes high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing one or more languages in addition to English. The SSB will be awarded by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction in accordance with specified criteria set forth in the legislation. In addition to SSB, the LAUSD award graduates based on a set criteria.
To receive these academic recognitions, students must provide evidence that they have proficiency in LOTE language, and English Language Arts. Students will complete and submit to the school-site Biliteracy Awards Committee (or principal’s designee) an application form to document achievement of identified performance standards, which include a combination of assessments, course requirements, student work, and performance. Each school must establish a committee that is responsible for annual identification of students, verification of criteria, and for enuring that identified students who meet the established criteria receive academic recognition.
- L.A. Unified Pathway to Biliteracy
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LAUSD Pathway to Biliteracy
The LAUSD Pathway to Biliteracy Award for 5th/6th and 8th grade students consist of honor medallions and certificates. The LAUSD Seal of Biliteracy Award for 12th grade students consists of an honor cord, a seal on the diploma, and a notation on the electronic transcript.
School staff may request the reference guide, application forms, rosters, and additional documents and resources related to the implementation of the CDE and LAUSD Biliteracy Awards by completing this electronic form. LAUSD employee number required.Top 10 High Schools with most CDE Seal for 2017-2018
Rank
School Name
Number of Seals
1
Bell High Senior High
131
2
BRAVO MAGNET
112
3
SOUTH GATE HIGH SCHOOL
111
4
Venice High and GARFIELD HIGH SCHOOLS
104
5
KING DREW MEDICAL MAGNET
100
6
Eagle Rock High School
97
7
Cesar E Chavez Learning Academy
88
8
San Fernando High School
86
9
LACES High School
82
10
Fairfax, and Polytech High Schools
75
- Biliteracy Awards Links of Interest
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La Opinión article, "Hijos de inmigrantes en L.A. redescubren el idioma español.", feat. students and staff from Polytechnic HS. March 2015.UCLA Newsroom article, "Patricia Gándara on the Academic, Career Benefits of Bilingualism", March 2015.TIME article, "How the Brain Benefits from Being Bilingual", July 2013.New York Times article, "Why Bilinguals are Smarter", March 2012.
