Students can earn Seal of Biliteracy

South Dakota students who are on track to graduate from high school are now able to earn the South Dakota Seal of Biliteracy. This recognition, which is optional for schools to offer, is available for those students who demonstrate a high level of proficiency in English and another language.

The program employed a "soft launch" last spring, with five districts participating. This year will be the first full year of the program. One of the school districts that participated in spring 2024 was the Sioux Falls School District.

Sixty-nine high school seniors from four Sioux Falls high schools received the seal last spring. The school district identified 12 additional students who will receive the award after results from testing in the spring came in.

Dr. Andy McKay, the K-12 Spanish Immersion Program specialist for the Sioux Falls School District, said the seal will identify students as having valuable proficiencies for schools and employers. “Fundamentally, it provides clear information to both future employers and post-secondary institutions about what students can do across two languages,” said McKay.

Yutzil Becker is the Seal of Biliteracy coordinator for the Department of Education. "It’s important to have this recognition in place to help honor students' home languages and to encourage students to pursue proficiency in languages other than English," said Becker. "Earning this award offers the opportunity for students to demonstrate their skills and help them with college, career, and life opportunities post-graduation. Awarding this seal is an important way to celebrate this wonderful accomplishment."

The Sioux Falls School District intends to continue providing the Seal of Biliteracy to future graduating seniors. “Because the South Dakota Seal of Biliteracy is really about communicating what students can do across two languages, it gives students and teachers from across various programs and courses a common touchpoint. English learner students, high school world language students, and Spanish immersion students can all strive to achieve this recognition,” said McKay.

For a student to have the Seal of Biliteracy affixed to his or her diploma, the student must demonstrate proficiency in both English and a second language. Second language proficiencies can include Spanish, German, French, South Dakota Indigenous languages, Hutterisch, American Sign Language, and many others. Counselors and teachers should share information about this opportunity early in a student’s career, so they can plan to take courses that will allow them to meet the standards.

More information about the South Dakota Seal of Biliteracy can be found on the DOE website.