Photos: Hoover Students Celebrate Biliteracy Proficiency with Trophies

By Hoover Principal Amanda Rothengast

Thirty 3rd and 4th grade Hoover students received trophies Thursday morning for reaching grade level or higher in both the English and Spanish state assessments from spring 2011. This ceremony represents one way schools can recognize students who learn to read and write in two languages and present pathways to earning biliteracy awards.

In October 2011, Governor Brown signed AB 815 (Brownley) The State Seal of Biliteracy (Ch 618, Statutes of 2011), the Californians Together Sponsored Bill with the California Federation of Teachers.  This bill establishes the State Seal of Biliteracy to recognize high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in one or more languages in addition to English. 

California Together has developed a list of recommendations for pathways to bilteracy awards in elementary and middle school and seals of biliteracy for high school diplomas.  County Offices of Education and school districts are adopting the recommendations, based on local and state assessments and other indicators of academic success in two or more languages.

Fifty-eight schools, districts and county offices of education implemented the Seal of Biliteracy in June 2011 and over 6,000 students were awarded the Seal of Biliteracy. With this Seal, school administrators, school board members and business leaders acknowledge and understand that their students need to be prepared for their role in our 21st century global society.

For further information about implementing the Seal of Biliteracy,visit the website, www.californianstogether.org, contact: Californians Together, 525 E. 7th St., Long Beach, CA 90803, 562-983-1333 Shelly@californianstogether.org

The video of last year's biliteracy ceremony at Hoover Community School can be seen at  http://www.youtube.com/californianstogether

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