The Georgia's Seal of Biliteracy (HB 879) was signed into law on May 3, 2016, establishing a Seal of Biliteracy for the state of Georgia. This is an opportunity for high school students to demonstrate their language proficiency to potential colleges and employers. With the issuance of the seal Georgia joins a large group of states that recognize the importance and advantages students gain by becoming bilingual and biliterate.
For a complete list of states and additional information on the Seal of Biliteracy visit the SealofBiliteracy.org site.
The sections below provide more information about the Seal of Biliteracy.
Purpose The purposes of the Georgia Seal of Biliteracy are as follows:
- To encourage pupils to study foreign languages
- To certify attainment of biliteracy
- To provide employers with a method to identify people with language and biliteracy skills
- To provide universities with a method to recognize and give academic credit to applicants seeking admission
- To recognize and promote foreign language instruction in public schools
Requirements - In order to qualify for the Georgia Seal of Biliteracy, a high school graduate shall meet the following criteria:
- Completion of all English language arts requirements for graduation with an overall grade point average of 3.0 or above in those classes
- Proficiency in one or more languages other than English, demonstrated by:
- passing a foreign language advanced placement (AP) examination with a score of 4 or higher
- passing an international baccalaureate examination with a score of 5 or higher
- for languages in which an advanced placement examination is not available, please see the listing of equivalent summative examinations the Department of Education has provided that local school systems may use in place of such an advanced placement examination.
What test should I take?
- Does your school offer an AP Language course in the language you want to obtain the Seal of Biliteracy (Chinese, French, Germa, Italian, Japanese, Latin, or Spanish)?
- Yes: you must take the AP Language test in that language - Tier 1.
- No: you may take one of the available test approved by the Georgia Department of Education - Tier 2.
Students: Please contact your local school World Languages Department Chair for additional information regarding requirements and testing for the Seal of Biliteracy.
