Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy
The Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy
Nebraska’s recognition of proficiency in multiple languages
Learn about the Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy by reading the NeSoBL Handbook and reviewing the information below:
On this website:
- What is the Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy (NeSoBL)
- Why Should I Apply?
- Who Should Apply?
- What are the Application Requirements?
- What will I receive?
- What is the Awards Process?
- How do I apply for the Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy?
More questions?
- Go to the NeSoBL FAQs page
- See the NeSoBL Toolkits
- Attend the 2025-2026 NeSoBL Information Sessions
What is the Seal of Biliteracy?
The Seal of Biliteracy is an award the State of Nebraska gives to recognize high school students who have studied and attained proficiency in two or more languages by graduation.
The Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy is a collaboration of the Nebraska International Languages Association and the Nebraska Department of Education
The Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy is awarded at three proficiency levels:
Platinum Level: The Highest Honor
Achieving Platinum means you’ve reached Advanced Low or higher proficiency (ACTFL 2024 Guidelines)
Platinum recipients can:
- Narrate and describe confidently across major time frames
- Handle communication in routine and even unexpected situations
- Engage in detailed conversations in familiar contexts with sustained control
Gold Level: Confident Communicator
Earning Gold means you’ve achieved Intermediate High proficiency (ACTFL)
Gold recipients can:
- Communicate with ease and confidence
- Handle routine tasks and social situations
- Adapt to a variety of contexts with skill
Silver Level: Solid Foundation
Achieving Silver means you’ve reached Intermediate Mid proficiency (ACTFL)
Silver recipients can:
- Communicate with comfort in uncomplicated situations
- Navigate predictable contexts effectively
- Build a strong base for future language growth
Why Should I Apply?
Multilingual ability is considered an asset for jobs and college admission. The Seal of Biliteracy Serves as proof of language proficiency for:
High School Transcripts
The Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy provides recognition of bilingual skills
Employers & Community
The Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy provides evidence of bilingual skills attractive to employers and community leaders.
Institutes of Higher Education
More than 90 Higher Education Institutes across the United States have attached credits to the seal, which means those universities award credits to seal recipients on their stated conditions.
Who Should Apply for the Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy?
High school students proficient in English and one or more additional languages. Including:
- English learners fluent in another language
- World language students (e.g., Spanish, French, Chinese)
- Bilingual speakers of heritage or less commonly taught languages (e.g., Vietnamese, Somali, Arabic)
- Speakers or students of American Sign Language, Indigenous, or Classical languages
All students meeting requirements are encouraged to apply.
Please note: Accommodations are available for students with disabilities (e.g., blindness, deafness, cognitive or learning disabilities).
What are the application requirements?
1. A student demonstrates proficiency in English and at least one language other than English by meeting requirements in the following areas:
- Semester hours and grade requirements in English Language Arts & World Language Courses
- Standardized Assessment Scores
- Language Assessment proficiency scores
2. Students must apply for the Seal of Biliteracy
- Go to How do I apply for instructions.
- Test results are not automatically submitted to NDE World Languages.
3. Submit required documentation before the deadline:
Provide evidence of both English proficiency AND another language, by uploading:
- Official or unofficial transcripts
- Must include the student’s name
- Student schedules and certificates are not considered valid documentation.
- Test results dated within the past two years
- Must include student name and name of test
Note: Please check your email two weeks after the deadline for potential additional material requests.
4. Submit a personal email address
- Please do not use a school email address.
Recipients receive:
- Letter of recognition
- Certificate stating your proficiency level
- Attachable seal for your diploma
- Optional commemorative medallion (available for purchase)
- Recipient names may be published by the Nebraska Department of Education (with parent or guardian permission).
What is the Awards Process?
Apply online through the Nebraska Department of Education:
- Complete the application
- Upload documents showing proficiency standards are met
- Optional: Pay required fees for medallion purchase
Deadlines for review:
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- August 1 (Fall awards)
- November 1 (Winter awards)
- April 1 (Spring awards)
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Awards issued: 2–4 weeks after review
Apply as an individual student.
If you apply as an individual student, please ensure:
- You have electronic copies of proficiency evidence for English and another language (e.g., Spanish)
- Please check the proficiency requirements.
Apply as a school/ district.
Schools/ districts can apply for the Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy on behalf of their students when all the following requirements are obtained:
- A Seal of Biliteracy Liaison has been appointed. (Please use this sample appointment letter as a reference)
- Parent consent for school applications is obtained for each student to be included in the application.
- A PDF document is created to include evidence of English proficiency for all students.
- A PDF document is created to include proof of proficiency for other languages for all students.
- A spreadsheet includes all the required information for all the students.
NeSoBL Toolkits
Share NSoBL information with your students:
Family toolkit is coming soon!