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Your Bilingualism is Worth Celebrating • Apply for Utah’s Seal of Biliteracy

Is your child fluent in more than one language? If so, consider it a badge of honor — and consider applying to have an official Seal of Biliteracy added to your child’s high school transcripts.  

Each year in December, Canyons School District invites high school juniors and seniors to apply for the Seal of Biliteracy, a designation by the Utah State Office of Education signaling a student’s demonstrated proficiency in English and a world language. This year, the application window opens Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020 and closes Friday, Jan. 22, 2021, and CSD schools are taking extra steps to encourage students to apply.

“The Seal of Biliteracy, created in 2008, is something that colleges have really started paying attention to. More and more employers also are giving preference to hiring job applicants with this designation,” says Michèle Harward in CSD’s Instructional Supports Department. “We suspect, though, that there are bilingual, or even trilingual, students out there who aren’t taking advantage of this opportunity.”

Over the past two years, 197 CSD seniors have graduated with Seals of Biliteracy affixed to their diplomas, a number that has been growing as word spreads about the opportunity, Harward says. “But considering about 65 languages are spoken in our schools and that, in any given year, we have about 3,200 English language learners who grew up speaking another language at home, we’re confident there are students we’re missing.”

To make it easier for students to apply from the comfort of their homes, Canyons makes the application available online. In addition, schools are encouraging students to apply for the seal in their junior year, because it gives them more time to take advantage of the different tests that can be used to determine eligibility. In Utah, students are required to provide evidence of proficiency in both English and a second language. 

Often students have already completed a qualifying exam and no further testing is necessary. Testing is administered at the high schools, March 1-12, 2021, and Canyons District covers the cost of one test per student per year. 

Students interested in applying should talk to the Diploma Specialist in their school’s counseling center. Additional guidelines and information about the requirements can be found on the Utah State Board of Education’s website.

According to some estimates, half the world’s population, but only 20 percent of Americans, converse in at least two languages. “These skills are so valuable as we look to form connections with one another and thrive in a global business market,” Harward says. “We want our multilingual students to take pride in their language skills.”

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Lucie Chamberlain

Alta View Elementary

If a movie about super teachers were ever made, Lucie Chamberlain would be a prime candidate for a leading role. Fortunately for her kindergarten students at Alta View Elementary, she already thrives in a supporting role for them. Parents thank her for being a “super teacher.” She is also described as an “amazing colleague.” Whether students need help in the classroom or from home while sick, Lucie goes above and beyond to help them learn, overcome fears, and feel important and cared for. Lucie is the reason a number of kids went from hating school to loving it, according to parents. The way she exudes patience, sweetness, positive energy, and love for her students with special needs melts is appreciated and admired. One parent noted: “Both my kids wish she could be their teacher forever.” Another added:  “She treats every student like their learning and their feelings are her priority.” Super teacher, indeed!

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