Biliteracy Pathway Recognitions

Overview

The Biliteracy Pathway Recognitions are an optional program and participation is voluntary. Local educational agencies (LEAs) may customize the criteria to fit their local needs and to ensure the criteria reflects their program goals. Unlike the State Seal of Biliteracy, this program is not established in California Education Code and therefore the criteria are suggested only and may be modified.

The California Department of Education (CDE) provides optional criteria, guidance, and certificate templates as a resource. LEAs may choose to use or modify the materials provided. No student information must be submitted to the CDE in order to participate. LEAs should keep records locally.

The Biliteracy Pathway Recognitions may be awarded in any world language in addition to English, including indigenous languages, languages without a written system, and American Sign Language (ASL).

The Biliteracy Pathway Recognitions Program Overview provides additional information about the purpose of the program, an overview of the recognitions available, logistical information, and more.

Equity

It is important to ensure that all students have access to the Biliteracy Pathway Recognitions including underserved populations and students with disabilities. All students, including English learners, students with disabilities, and English learners with disabilities, can benefit from opportunities to develop multilingualism.

For more information on serving English learners with disabilities see the CDE California Practitioners’ Guide for Education English Learners with Disabilities (PDF).

For more information on parent and family engagement, see the CDE Parent/Family web page.

The three Biliteracy Pathway Recognitions available are:

Biliteracy Program Participation Recognition
The Biliteracy Program Participation Recognition is available to students enrolled in programs leading to biliteracy in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. As a participation recognition, this award is provided to all students enrolled in the program and is not based on the student’s proficiency. This recognition is an entry on the path to biliteracy or multiliteracy.
Home Language Development Recognition
The Home Language Development Recognition is available to emergent bilingual students with a home language other than English in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. This recognition is provided to students who demonstrate that they are continuing to develop the home language by engaging in age-appropriate activities in the home language. This recognition is an entry on the path to biliteracy or multiliteracy.
Biliteracy Attainment Recognition
The Biliteracy Attainment Recognition is available to students at the end of elementary school (the grade level depends on the program model, usually either grade five or six), and the end of middle school (the grade level depends on the program model, usually grade eight). This recognition is based on proficiency and is awarded to students who meet specific proficiency criteria in English and one or more languages in addition to English. This recognition is aligned with the State Seal of Biliteracy requirements and is an indication that if a student continues on this path in high school they will be prepared to meet the requirements to earn the State Seal of Biliteracy.

There are multiple paths to biliteracy and these recognitions provide LEAs with the opportunity to highlight some of these paths to encourage students to pursue biliteracy or multiliteracy in high school and beyond.

Students/Families

What Are the Biliteracy Pathway Recognitions?

The Biliteracy Pathway Recognitions are an optional program to recognize preschool through grade 8 students who are on the path to developing proficiency in one or more languages in addition to English.

There are three recognitions available to recognize the different paths that lead to biliteracy:

Biliteracy Program Participation Recognition
The Biliteracy Program Participation Recognition is available to students enrolled in programs leading to biliteracy in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. As a participation recognition, this award is provided to all students enrolled in the program and is not based on the student’s proficiency. This recognition is an entry on the path to biliteracy or multiliteracy.
Home Language Development Recognition
The Home Language Development Recognition is available to emergent bilingual students with a home language other than English in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. This recognition is provided to students who demonstrate that they are continuing to develop the home language by engaging in age-appropriate activities in the home language. This recognition is an entry on the path to biliteracy or multiliteracy.
Biliteracy Attainment Recognition
The Biliteracy Attainment Recognition is available to students at the end of elementary school (the grade level depends on the program model, usually either grade five or six), and the end of middle school (the grade level depends on the program model, usually grade eight). This recognition is based on proficiency and is awarded to students who meet specific proficiency criteria in English and one or more languages in addition to English. This recognition is aligned with the State Seal of Biliteracy requirements and is an indication that if a student continues on this path in high school they will be prepared to meet the requirements to earn the State Seal of Biliteracy.

Schools may offer one, two, or all three of the recognitions above, depending on their program model(s) and the needs of their students.

How to Participate

If you believe that you (students) or your child (parents) is eligible for one of the Biliteracy Pathway Recognitions, please contact a counselor or administrator at your school. Recognitions may be awarded to students in preschool through grade 8.

You can check to see if your school or district participates in the program by clicking on the “Data” tab above and clicking on the tab for your county. All California schools are eligible to participate in the program, including preschools.

If the school or district does not yet participate, you can share this web page with a counselor, teacher, or administrator at the school as well as the contact information below. The Biliteracy Pathway Recognition Program is an optional program and participation is voluntary.

CDE Resources

Biliteracy Pathway Program Parent and Family Presentation (PPTX)
Schools and districts can use these slides to share information about the Biliteracy Pathway Recognitions Program with parents and families.

Biliteracy Pathway Program Parent and Family Presentation (Presentación sobre los Reconocimientos en el camino hacia la alfabetización bilingüe para padres y familias) (PPTX)
Escuelas y distritos escolares se pueden utilizar estas diapositivas para compartir información sobre los Reconocimientos en el camino hacia la alfabetización bilingüe con padres y familias

Biliteracy Pathway Program Flyer in English
This flyer provides information to parents and families about the Biliteracy Pathway Recognition Program.

Biliteracy Pathway Program Flyer in Spanish (Folleto del programa de reconocimientos en el camino hacia la alfabetización bilingüe en español)
Este folleto provee información a padres de familia y familias sobre el Programa de reconocimientos en el camino hacia la alfabetización bilingüe.

Paths to Biliteracy Bookmark (PDF)
This printable bookmark is an infographic that illustrates how the Biliteracy Pathway Recognitions fit into the path to biliteracy. This resource can be used with families, students, and teachers. Translations below:

Partner Resources

The First 5 California Everyday Opportunities for Speech, Language, and Literacy Development web page provides tips for parents on how to build literacy skills in young children. This page can be viewed in English or Spanish.

The First 5 California Multiple Languages in the Home, Benefits and Myths web page explains the benefits of learning two or more languages at home and provides tips on how to expand dual language skills. This page can be viewed in English or Spanish.

The U.S. Department of Education Office of English Language Acquisition Benefits of Multilingualism Infographic explains cognitive, educational, economic, and sociocultural benefits of multilingualism.

The U.S. Department of Education Early Learning: Talk, Read, and Sing! web page includes fact sheets on the benefits of bilingualism, tips for parents of young children, and other resources in English and Spanish.

The ¡Colorín, Colorado! For Families web page includes resources and tips for parents including information on helping children learn to read and on raising bilingual kids, among other topics. This page can be viewed in English or Spanish.

Resources

Biliteracy Pathway Recognitions Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Biliteracy Pathway Recognitions Webinar (Video; 57:10)
This webinar provides an overview of the program, criteria, logistical information, and questions and answers. The intended audience for this webinar is educators in preschool through grade 8 settings and local educational agency staff interested in implementing a Biliteracy Pathway Recognition Program.

California Educators Together SSB Group (Account Required)
The California Educators Together SSB Group is a space for educators and education leaders who are involved in coordinating the SSB or Biliteracy Pathway Recognition programs. This group will include the latest news, events, and resources related to the SSB and Biliteracy Pathway Recognitions and includes a space for members to share their own resources. Educators interested in joining will be prompted to create a free California Educators Together account.

Parent and Family Resources

Biliteracy Pathway Program Parent and Family Presentation (PPTX)
Schools and districts can use these slides to share information about the Biliteracy Pathway Recognitions Program with parents and families.

Biliteracy Pathway Program Parent and Family Presentation (Presentación sobre los Reconocimientos en el camino hacia la alfabetización bilingüe para padres y familias) (PPTX)
Escuelas y distritos escolares se pueden utilizar estas diapositivas para compartir información sobre los Reconocimientos en el camino hacia la alfabetización bilingüe con padres y familias

Biliteracy Pathway Program Flyer in English
This flyer provides information to parents and families about the Biliteracy Pathway Recognition Program.

Biliteracy Pathway Program Flyer in Spanish (Folleto del programa de reconocimientos en el camino hacia la alfabetización bilingüe en español)
Este folleto provee información a padres de familia y familias sobre el Programa de reconocimientos en el camino hacia la alfabetización bilingüe.

Paths to Biliteracy Bookmark (PDF)
This printable bookmark is an infographic that illustrates how the Biliteracy Pathway Recognitions fit into the path to biliteracy. This resource can be used with families, students, and teachers. Translations below:

California Department of Education (CDE) Resources

CDE Multilingual Education

CDE World Languages Standards

CDE World Languages Framework

Partner Resources

The First 5 California Everyday Opportunities for Speech, Language, and Literacy Development web page provides tips for parents on how to build literacy skills in young children. This page can be viewed in English or Spanish.

The First 5 California Multiple Languages in the Home, Benefits and Myths web page explains the benefits of learning two or more languages at home and provides tips on how to expand dual language skills. This page can be viewed in English or Spanish.

The U.S. Department of Education Office of English Language Acquisition Benefits of Multilingualism Infographic explains cognitive, educational, economic, and sociocultural benefits of multilingualism.

The U.S. Department of Education Early Learning: Talk, Read, and Sing! web page includes fact sheets on the benefits of bilingualism, tips for parents of young children, and other resources in English and Spanish.

The ¡Colorín, Colorado! For Families web page

includes resources and tips for parents including information on helping children learn to read and on raising bilingual kids, among other topics. This page can be viewed in English or Spanish.

Data

Participating Local Educational Agencies (LEAs)

The participating schools and districts will be posted annually on this tab. The Biliteracy Pathway recognitions were established in 2021–22.

LEAs interested in participating in the program must submit a Biliteracy Pathways Recognition Participation Form annually to be included in the data posted here.

2023–24 Participation Data (XLSX)
This Excel spreadsheet provides data on the number of recognitions awarded in the 2023–24 school year by language and county. The first tab includes an overview of California data. Each following tab includes the participating districts, schools, and preschools in each county.

2022–23 Participation Data (XLSX)
This Excel spreadsheet provides data on the number of recognitions awarded in the 2022–23 school year by language and county. The first tab includes an overview of California data. Each following tab includes the participating districts, schools, and preschools in each county.

2021–22 Participation Data (XLSX)
This Excel spreadsheet provides data on the number of recognitions awarded in the 2021–22 school year by language and county. The first tab includes an overview of California data. Each following tab includes the participating districts, schools, and preschools in each county.

Requirements and Forms

Biliteracy Pathway Recognitions Participation Form

Biliteracy Pathways Recognition Participation Form

Please fill out this online form to participate in the Biliteracy Pathway Recognitions program and to request the Biliteracy Pathway Recognitions certificate templates.

Procedures

To participate, local educational agencies (LEAs) are asked to submit the online form that includes information on:

The district and school(s) participating;
The program model(s) (dual language immersion, heritage language, foreign language experience, etc.);
The type(s) of Biliteracy Pathway Recognition(s) being offered (Biliteracy Program Participation Recognition, Home Language Development Recognition, Biliteracy Attainment Recognition, and/or local recognition);
The number of students receiving the recognitions and the language(s) in which they are being recognized;
The number of students being recognized with an Individualized Education Program (IEP); and
The number of students being recognized who are current or former English learners (for kindergarten through grade eight programs).

LEAs may choose to award one or more of the three Biliteracy Pathway Recognitions to students.

Requirements

Biliteracy Program Participation Recognition

Home Language Development Recognition

Biliteracy Attainment Recognition

There are multiple paths to biliteracy. These recognitions provide LEAs with the opportunity to highlight some of these paths to encourage students to continue to pursue biliteracy or multiliteracy in high school and beyond.

The criteria above are guidance and may be adapted for all grade levels as established by the school district or county office of education.

State Seal of Biliteracy

The State Seal of Biliteracy, marked by a gold seal on the diploma or transcript, recognizes high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing one or more languages in addition to English.

The Biliteracy Pathway Recognitions are recognitions provided to students in preschool through middle school on the path toward developing biliteracy.

The Biliteracy Pathway Recognitions can be used to motivate students to pursue the State Seal of Biliteracy upon high school graduation. Consider sharing information with students and families about the State Seal of Biliteracy early so that they are aware of the criteria and can help ensure that students are prepared to earn the State Seal of Biliteracy in high school.

For more information about the State Seal of Biliteracy, visit the CDE State Seal of Biliteracy web page.