ELD 6-12

Within Troy School District, we are committed to empowering students with skills that open doors to future opportunities. The Michigan Seal of Biliteracy is a prestigious recognition awarded by the Michigan Department of Education to students who demonstrate proficiency in English and at least one additional language. This honor is noted on a student’s diploma and signals to colleges, universities, and future employers that the student can communicate effectively in multiple languages.

Through our language programs and our incredibly diverse school community, we equip students with the tools to become confident, bilingual communicators prepared for success in an increasingly interconnected world.

Michigan’s Seal of Biliteracy is available to juniors and seniors through multiple pathways. Students may qualify by:

• Earning a score of 4 or higher on an AP language exam
• Achieving proficiency on an approved commercial assessment such as the STAMP test
• Demonstrating evidence of language proficiency through transcripts showing instruction completed in another country
• Counselors and English Learner (EL) specialists will support students in determining the most appropriate pathway and guide them through the process.

Students interested in pursuing the Seal of Biliteracy through the STAMP assessment may indicate their interest by completing the STAMP Assessment Request form in PowerSchool. Students must score a 6 or higher in each domain of the STAMP assessment to be eligible for the Seal of Biliteracy.

Students who earn a score of 4 or higher on an AP language exam during their junior or senior year will automatically qualify for the Seal of Biliteracy and do not need to complete additional steps. Students who took an AP language exam prior to their junior year will need to complete the STAMP assessment during their junior or senior year, in alignment with Michigan Department of Education guidelines.

Click the link below to learn more about the Michigan Seal of Biliteracy and how your student can earn this valuable distinction. Learn more about the Seal of Biliteracy HERE For additional information, families may visit the Michigan Department of Education website or contact Shari Pawlus, Supervisor for the English Language Department, at spawlus@troy.k12.mi.us.

Seal of Biliteracy

Students in Michigan can earn a Seal of Biliteracy to be added to their diploma.

According to the Michigan Department of Education, the Seal of Biliteracy is an award given by a school, district, or state in recognition of students who have studied and attained proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation. The Seal of Biliteracy encourages students to pursue biliteracy, honors the skills our students attain, and can be evidence of skills that are attractive to future employers and college admissions offices.

The Michigan Seal of Biliteracy has been created to recognize high school graduates who exhibit language proficiency in English and at least one additional world language. The Seal may be awarded to any student receiving a high school diploma, a high school certificate of completion or a high school equivalency certificate and who has demonstrated Intermediate High proficiency on acceptable world language assessments and met the English Language Arts requirements for graduation or demonstrated proficiency on a validated test of proficiency for English Learners. The Seal has been created to encourage students to study world languages and embrace their native and heritage languages. The Seal will provide employers with a way to identify individuals with strong language and biliteracy skills. The Seal may serve as an additional tool for colleges and universities to recognize applicants’ language abilities for admission and placement.