Current through Register Vol. 30, No. 38, September 20, 2024
A.
Definitions. For purposes of this section, "foreign language" means any
language other than English.
B.
School districts and charter schools in this state may choose to participate in
the State Seal of Biliteracy Program (Program) which recognizes students who
have attained a high level of proficiency in one or more foreign languages, in
addition to English. School districts and charter schools participating in the
Program may award the State Seal of Biliteracy to any high school student who
graduates from a school operated by the school district or charter school and
who meets the requirements of subsection (B)(1) or (2), and subsection (B)(3).
1. Assessment Method. To demonstrate language
proficiency through the assessment method, the student must attain the required
score on a language assessment as adopted by the State Board of Education, upon
recommendation by the Arizona Department of Education, for purposes of
demonstrating language proficiency for the Program in the four domains of
speaking, writing, listening, and reading.
2. Alternative evidence model. A school
district or charter school may choose to award the State Seal of Biliteracy
through an alternative evidence method.
a. An
alternative evidence method may be used in any of the following circumstances:
i. No standardized assessment exists for the
targeted foreign language;
ii.
Evaluating the language proficiency of a student with disabilities for whom the
standardized assessment is inappropriate as determined by the student's
Individualized Education Program team or a student on a 504 plan as determined
by the student's 504 plan committee; or
iii. The standardized assessment for the
targeted foreign language does not assess one or more of the four domains of
speaking, writing, listening and reading.
b. Any alternative evidence method used shall
consist of a student portfolio that contains evidence of experience in the
targeted foreign language, as well as work samples, test results and other
accomplishments that demonstrate proficiency, as established in the guidelines
developed by the Arizona Department of Education, in the targeted foreign
language in the four domains of speaking, writing, listening and reading.
Student portfolios shall comply with guidelines adopted by the
Department.
c. A school district or
charter school that uses an alternative evidence model must notify the Arizona
Department of Education.
3. To be eligible to be awarded the State
Seal of Biliteracy, each student shall also demonstrate proficiency in English
by meeting the following requirements:
a. The
student must successfully complete all English Language Arts requirements for
graduation, pursuant to A.A.C.
R7-2-302,
with an overall grade point average in those classes of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0
scale, or the equivalent; and
b.
The student receives a passing score in English Language Arts on one of the
following:
i. The statewide assessment
adopted pursuant to A.R.S. §
15-741,
an assessment approved by the Board pursuant to A.R.S. §
15-741.02,
or another state's statewide assessment;
ii. A nationally recognized college entrance
exam;
iii. An exam that is accepted
for credit or admission by at least one university under the jurisdiction of
the Arizona Board of Regents; or
iv.
An end of course exam administered as part of a dual enrollment or concurrent
enrollment course.
c. If
the student has a primary home language other than English, the student shall
obtain a score of proficient based on the English language proficiency
standards pursuant to A.R.S. §
15-756.
C. By October 1 of each year, the Arizona
Department of Education shall make an electronic facsimile of the State Seal of
Biliteracy available to each school district and charter school participating
in the Program. Each participating school district or charter school shall
identify each student who has met the requirements of the Program, affix the
State Seal of Biliteracy to the student's diploma upon graduation, and shall
note the receipt of the State Seal of Biliteracy on the transcript of the
student.
D. The Arizona Department
of Education shall post on its website by July 1 of each year, the list of
acceptable language assessments and the score to be achieved on each, as
approved by the Board, which qualifies the student as proficient in a foreign
language. The Arizona Department of Education shall ensure that all approved
assessments are aligned to the Arizona world and native languages standards
adopted by the Board.
E. Each school
district and charter school that chooses to participate in the Program shall
meet the following requirements:
1. Notify the
Arizona Department of Education of its intent to participate in the Program at
least 30 days prior to issuing the seal by filling out the form provided on the
Arizona Department of Education's website.
2. Designate at least one individual to serve
as coordinator of the Program and provide that individual's name and contact
information to the Arizona Department of Education.
3. Using a format prescribed by the Arizona
Department of Education, submit a report no later than 90 days after the end of
the school year with the total number of students awarded the State Seal of
Biliteracy, the number of seals for each targeted foreign language and the
method used to determine proficiency in the foreign language.
4. Make available to parents and students
information regarding the Program and the name and contact information for the
coordinator of the Program.
F. The Arizona Department of Education shall
establish guidelines and procedures to assist school districts and charter
schools in the administration of the Program.
