The Mississippi Seal of Biliteracy

Students who demonstrate proficiency in English and another language through one of the MDE-approved exams have the opportunity to earn either a Gold or a Silver seal on their high school transcript. While colleges and universities across the nation approach the SOBL differently, many schools accept the seal as proof of language ability, and students may have the chance to waive language requirements or advance to higher-level courses via the seal.

Biliteracy goes beyond bilingual. Someone who is biliterate has demonstrated they are proficient in all four modes of communication: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Students will have to demonstrate their language abilities in all four of these areas in order to earn a seal.

All documentation for the Seal of Biliteracy must be submitted to OHS Seal of Biliteracy Board by April 1st of your senior year of high school. However, it can be completed in any year.

Students can earn the SOBL in a multitude of languages! While we offer French and Spanish as courses at the high school, any student who is proficient in another language may apply for the seal. While the tests that are available to you may vary, the seal can be offered in most languages.

French, Spanish, Italian, Mandarin, Arabic, Korean, Japanese, German, Hindi, Russian, Thai, Portuguese, Hebrew, Polish, American Sign Language, Latin, Amharic, Somali, Urdu, and Native American Tribal languages already have established tests, and other languages may become available soon.

If you speak a language at home that is not included above, come talk to us! We can work something out.

In order to demonstrate proficiency in the English language, students must provide documentation of at least one of the following:

• Pass the English II State Test with a score of at least 4
• Pass the English section of the S.A.T. with a score of at least 320
• Pass the English section of the A.C.T. with a score of at least 18
• Pass the A.P. English exams (either Literature or Language Composition) with a score of at least 3
• Pass the M.D.E. English Language Proficiency Test with a score of at least 4 in all domains

In order to demonstrate proficiency in a world language, students must provide documentation of at least one of the following:

• Pass the A.P. French, Spanish, German or Italian exam with a score of at least 3
• Pass the AAPPL ACTFL Proficiency Exam with at least an I4/Intermediate Mid score in all 4 domains
• Pass the Avant STAMP test with at least an L4/Intermediate Mid in all 4 domains
• Pass the American Sign Language Proficiency Interview with a score of at least 3
• Pass the Alternate Evidence Portfolio Assessment for certain languages with a score of at least 3

Gold or Silver is awarded based on individual student scores. You can refer to the chart below for detailed scoring requirements based on each test, but a student must score Gold in both English and the World Language in order to earn the Gold Seal. If a student scores Silver in one language and Gold in the other, they will receive a Silver Seal. If a student does not meet the minimum requirements in a language, the seal will not be awarded.

If you and your student are interested in working toward earning the Seal of Biliteracy, the first step is to submit an intent form. The intent form will be sent to Mr. Charlie Winnick or Mrs. Chelsea Winnick of Oxford High School (emails below). That information will also be sent to your counselor, who will be included in the OHS Seal of Biliteracy Board and will be included in submitting your final application.

• Charlie Winnick: cwinnick@oxfordsd.org
• Chelsea Winnick: cjwinnick@oxfordsd.org

Students who provide evidence of biliteracy will be award with either a Silver or Gold Seal on their high-school transcript. The following minimum scores must be earned by students. If a student does not meet either the English or World Language requirements, the Seal will not be awarded. If a student earns Silver in one category but Gold in the other, a Silver Seal will be awarded. To earn a Gold Seal, a student must meet the Gold Seal requirements in both categories.