Seal of Biliteracy
The Missouri Seal of Biliteracy is awarded to graduating high school students who have demonstrated achievement in English, a language other than English and sociocultural competence.
The Seal of Biliteracy takes the form of a seal that appears on the transcript or diploma of the graduating senior and is a statement of accomplishment for future employers and for college admissions. In addition, the Seal of Biliteracy marks attainment of a high-level of mastery of two or more languages, English and at least one other. The Seal of Biliteracy is intended to promote not only the acquisition of a second language but also the participation in a global society and economy, a measure of sociocultural competence is required of all students earning the Missouri Seal.
There are two levels: the Missouri Seal and the Distinguished Missouri Seal. They are awarded based on language proficiency.
| Assessment | Seal | Distinguished Seal |
|---|---|---|
| AAPPL | Intermediate 3 (I-3) in each domain | Advanced (A) in each domain |
| AP Language and Culture Exam | 3 or higher | 5 |
| AVANT (STAMPS 4S, WS, and SuperLanguage | Intermediate 3 (I-3) in each domain | Advanced (A) in each domain |
| Assessment | Missouri Seal | Distinguished Missouri Seal |
|---|---|---|
| English II EOC | Proficient | Proficient |
| ACT 6 [1] | 18 in English or Reading | 21 in English or Reading |
| WIDA ACCESS 2.0 [2] | 4.0 | 4.7 |
[1] ACT 6 may be used in lieu of ENGLISH II EOC if a student did not score proficient or higher.
[2] English learners may use their WIDA ACCESS 2.0 score in lieu of English II EOC if they did not score proficient or higher.
Earning a Seal
All Rockwood students studying any of the world's languages are potential Seal candidates. Native English speaking students may acquire the second language through traditional world language classrooms, community-based programs, at home or other experiences. Multilingual Learners (MLs) and Heritage language students may demonstrate their language proficiency through the AAPPL assessment given their World Language classroom and/or through the one of the AVANT Assessments proctored remotely (STAMPS 4S, WS, or AVANT Super Language Test) within the testing window (February 1st-February 15th). Students may apply for more than one Seal of Biliteracy.
AVANT testing registration for Multilingual Learners and Heritage language students wishing to test remotely can be done on the Avant Assessment website. Payment is the responsibility of the testing student in these cases and must be submitted prior to scheduling your remotely proctored testing session.
The deadline to register and pay for AVANT testing for the 2025-2026 school year is January 23, 2026.
There is a test taker guide that should be reviewed prior testing to learn how to schedule a test, take a sample test, complete system requirements check, access your proctored avant test, review remote testing rules, and review FAQs. If the student is unable to pay for the assessment due to a financial hardship, please reach out to Dr. Corbin Buschman.
Students apply for the Seal of Biliteracy using the online application during their senior year. Assessment results must come from the student's junior or senior year in order to satisfy specific university requirements necessary to award credit for prior learning. Students may apply for more than one Seal of Biliteracy.
Why Earn a Seal?
The purposes for earning the Seal of Biliteracy Awards are numerous:
- To encourage the study of a second language
- To recognize, promote, and praise students for their accomplishment
- To value diversity
- To certify attainment of biliteracy skills
- To provide employers with a method of identifying people with language and biliteracy skills
- To provide universities with a method to recognize and give credit to applicants for the attainment of high-level skills in multiple languages
- To prepare students with 21st-century skills that will benefit them in the labor market and the global society
- To strengthen intergroup relationships and honor the multiple cultures and languages in a community.
Applying for a Seal
Rockwood Seniors may apply for the Seal of Biliteracy during the application window.
2025-2026 Applications: February 9, 2026 – April 1, 2026.
If you have taken an AAPPL test, AP Language and Culture or AVANT (STAMPS 4S, WS, or SuperLanguage) test, the application will gather all the information needed so you do not need to remember your scores. You will have to write a short essay as part of the application to display your sociocultural competence.
The essay topic is: ”How does proficiency in more than one language help the community?“
The rubric assesses a candidate's demonstration of Sociocultural Competence (understanding and appropriate cultural interaction).
| Criteria | 1: Limited (Does Not Meet) |
2: Developing (Approaches Seal) |
3: Proficient (Meets Seal) |
4: Distinguished (Exceeds Seal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Community Scope and Cultural Insight | Focuses only on personal benefits. Vague or missing statements about community impact. Ignores cultural context. | Identifies basic, general community benefits. Cultural discussion is surface-level (e.g., food or holidays). | Connects language to specific, tangible community benefits (local & global). Shows genuine awareness of cultural norms. | Identifies complex community challenges and proposes innovative solutions using the synthesis of language and culture. |
| 2. Analysis and Reasoning (The "How") |
Simply lists benefits without explaining the mechanism (the "how" and "why"). Arguments are only descriptive. | Tries to explain the "how," but the reasoning is too simplistic or relies on unsupported assumptions. | Clearly and analytically explains how multilingualism is essential for specific community functions (e.g., bridging divides, commerce). Uses specific evidence. | Critically analyzes complex sociolinguistic issues (e.g., historical context or power dynamics) and uses language/culture to strategically address them. |
| 3. Structure and Support (Evidence) | Disorganized; ideas lack flow and paragraphs are disconnected. Evidence is missing or irrelevant. | Recognizable essay structure, but weak transitions. Supporting points are generic. The thesis is unclear or unfocused. | Logically organized with a clear thesis and smooth transitions. All claims are supported with specific, real-world evidence (from involvement or verifiable data). | Masterful, compelling structure. Thesis is highly insightful. Evidence is perfectly integrated, persuasive, and leads to deep, reflective conclusions. |
| 4. Language Control and Clarity | Many errors in grammar, spelling, and syntax that severely impede comprehension. | Several mechanical errors occasionally distract the reader. Vocabulary is basic and repetitive. | Strong command of English with few to no mechanical errors. Uses varied vocabulary and maintains an appropriate academic tone. | Flawless control of English mechanics. Uses complex structures and precise, varied vocabulary to create highly engaging and articulate writing. |
- To achieve the Standard Seal, candidates are typically expected to score at the Proficient (3) level or higher in all four categories.
- To achieve the Distinguished Seal, candidates must generally score at the Distinguished (4) level across all four categories.
Questions?
Contact Dr. Corbin Buschman, Coordinator for World Languages and English Language Learners, at 636-733-2139.