The Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy is Nebraska’s recognition of proficiency in multiple languages for high school students. This seal is a collaboration of the Nebraska International Languages Association and the Nebraska Department of Education (Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy Purpose. Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy Purpose – Nebraska Department of Education). The purpose of the Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy is to acknowledge high school students who have achieved a high level of proficiency in English and at least one additional language other than English. The Seal is the cumulative evidence of the Nebraska World Language Standards which are structured around communication, cultures, connections, communities, and cognition within a language other than English. The Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy can be used to communicate language proficiency to employers and institutions of postsecondary education. The ability to communicate in multiple languages is viewed as an asset when applying for a job or for college admission.
There are two levels of biliteracy that a high school student can receive, which are gold or silver. A Gold-level recipient of the Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy has demonstrated a performance equivalent to an Intermediate High or Advanced Low, as defined by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). This student can communicate with ease and confidence when dealing with routine tasks and social situations in a variety of contexts. A Silver-level recipient of the Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy has demonstrated a performance equivalent to an Intermediate Mid, as defined by ACTFL. This student can communicate with some comfort when dealing with uncomplicated situations in predictable contexts.
In order to be eligible for the Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy a student must be proficient in English as well as a second language, take three years of a foreign language class, and receive a score of 5 (silver level) or 6 (gold level) in all four communication assessments. These two young ladies took the STAMP proficiency test to assess their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills in Spanish.
Maci Nemetz is a senior at West Holt High School and narrowly missed earning the Gold-level. She earned a score of 6 or higher in three of the four communication skills. Maci Nemetz earned an advanced score in reading, listening, and writing skills. She will be receiving a silver-level Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy. Maci plans to attend college next fall at Mount Marty University where she will be pursuing a career in the medical field.
Junior Mary Belle Hamilton of West Holt High School received a score of 6 or higher in all four communicative skills on her STAMP proficiency test. Mary Belle will be receiving a gold-level Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy. At this time, Mary Belle plans to attend college in the fall of 2024 and is still deciding on what she wants to pursue in the future