News Release

January 14, 2020

NEW NEBRASKA SEAL OF BILITERACY TO HONOR STUDENTS PROFICIENT IN MULTIPLE LANGUAGES

The Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy is a collaboration between the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) and the Nebraska International Language Association honoring high school students who have achieved a high level of proficiency in English and at least one other language.

Students apply for the Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy after demonstrating proficiency based on the Nebraska World Language Standards structured around communication, cultures, connections, communities, and cognition within a language other than English.

“The Seal of Biliteracy is an award given in recognition of students who have studied and attained proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation,” said State Senator John McCollister of Omaha.  “I am proud that the State of Nebraska acknowledges the value of biliteracy as our world seems to become smaller every day. Thanks to the Department of Education for their support of this important program.”

Students can be awarded a Gold or Silver seal through a variety of assessment options. The seal can be used to communicate language proficiency to employers and institutions of postsecondary education.

“The Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy signals students’ language proficiencies and the ability to communicate effectively in multiple languages,” said Cory Epler, Academic Officer at NDE. “This skill is a great asset in postsecondary education and today’s workforce. We are excited to offer the Seal of Biliteracy as a measure of college, career, and civic readiness.”

More information about the Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy is online at www.education.ne.gov/worldlanguage.

---