To set forth the requirements for the Silver and Gold Seal of Biliteracy for high school students with a standard diploma who attain a high level of competency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in one or more foreign languages in addition ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6A-1.09951Requirements for the Florida Seal of Biliteracy Program

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: To set forth the requirements for the Silver and Gold Seal of Biliteracy for high school students with a standard diploma who attain a high level of competency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in one or more foreign languages in addition to English. This rule sets forth the requirements for students to earn high school credits in a foreign language without enrolling or completing foreign language courses. The effect is that qualifying high school graduates will be awarded seals on their high school diplomas and qualifying high school students will be awarded credits in foreign language courses.

SUMMARY: This rule establishes the criteria for the Florida Seal of Biliteracy.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: The proposed rule is not expected to have any adverse impact on business competitiveness, economic growth, private sector job creation/employment or private sector investment. Further, any possible increase in regulatory costs as a result of implementing the bilateral seal is expected to be minimal and absorbed by the Department and the districts with existing resources.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 1003.432, FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1003.432, FS.

A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATE AND TIME: February 16, 2017, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Alachua County School Board Office, 620 East University Avenue Gainesville, FL 32601.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Chane Eplin, Chief, Bureau of Student Achievement through Language Acquisition, Department of Education, [phone] or e-mail [e-mail].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6A-1.09951 Requirements for the Florida Seal of Biliteracy Program.

(1) The Florida Seal of Biliteracy Program is established to recognize a high school graduate who has attained a high level of competency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in one or more world languages in addition to English by the award of a silver or gold seal on a standard high school diploma.

(2) Definitions.

(a) “Modes of communication” means interpersonal communication involving conversational speaking and listening or signed exchanges; interpretive reading, listening, or viewing; and presentational communication shown by creating messages for a reader, listener, or viewer through writing, speaking, or signing.

(b) “World language” means a language other than English and includes American Sign Language, classical languages, and indigenous languages.

(3) Criteria for Eligibility. Beginning with the 2016-2017 school year, the Gold Seal of Biliteracy or the Silver Seal of Biliteracy shall be awarded to a high school student who has earned a standard high school diploma and who has satisfied one of the following criteria for eligibility:

(a) Silver Seal of Biliteracy.

1. Has earned four (4) world language course credits in the same world language with a cumulative 3.0 grade point average or higher on a 4.0 scale;

2. Has earned a score or performance level on any of the examinations found on the chart shown below;

Examination	Score or Performance Level
SAT Subject Test	600 or higher
College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Level 1 Language Exam	Spanish 50-62 French 50-58 German 50-59
International Baccalaureate Language Exam	4 or higher
Advanced Placement Language Exam	3 or higher
Advanced International Certificate of Education Subject Test	A, B, C, D, or E
American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI)	3 or higher
Sign Language Proficiency Interview: American Sign Language (SLPI:ASL)	Intermediate Plus or higher
American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Assessment of Performance Toward Proficiency in Language (AAPPL) Interpersonal Listening, Interpersonal Speaking, Interpretive Listening, and Presentational Writing	Intermediate Mid or higher
ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI)	Intermediate Mid or higher
Standards-based Measurement of Proficiency for Grade 7-Adult (STAMP4S)	Intermediate Mid or higher

3. For languages which are not tested on the nationally recognized examinations listed in subparagraph 2., demonstrated language proficiency through maintenance of a portfolio of language performance at the Intermediate Mid level or higher based on the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines 2012 in the modes of communication appropriate for that language.

(b) Gold Seal of Biliteracy.

1. Has earned four (4) world language course credits in the same world language with a cumulative 3.0 grade point average or higher on a 4.0 scale and Level 4 or higher on the Grade 10 English Language Arts (ELA) Florida Standards Assessment (FSA);

2. Has earned a score or performance level on any of the examinations found in the chart below;

Examination	Score or Performance Level
SAT Subject Test	700 or higher
College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Level 2 Language Exam	Spanish 63 or higher French 59 or higher German 60 or higher
International Baccalaureate Language Exam	5 or higher
Advanced Placement Language Exam	4 or higher
Advanced International Certificate of Education Subject Test	A, B, C, D
American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI)	4 or higher
Sign Language Proficiency Interview: American Sign Language (SLPI:ASL)	Advanced Plus or Higher
American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Assessment of Performance Toward Proficiency in Language (AAPPL) Interpersonal Listening, Interpersonal Speaking, Interpretive Listening, and Presentational Writing	Advanced Low or Higher
ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI)	Advanced Low or Higher
Standards-based Measurement of Proficiency for Grade 7-Adult (STAMP4S)	Advanced Low or Higher

3. For languages which are not tested on the nationally recognized examinations listed in subparagraph 3., demonstrated language proficiency through maintenance of a portfolio of language performance, at the Advanced Low level or higher based on the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines 2012 in the modes of communication appropriate for that language.

(4) Criteria for the award of credit. A high school student who did not enroll in, or complete, world language courses, shall be awarded three (3) world language high school course credits, upon attaining at least the minimum score or performance level set forth in subparagraph (3)(a)2. for the Silver Seal of Biliteracy.

(5) Procedures for the Seal.

(a) Examination scores received directly from the testing entity, rather than a parent, guardian, or student, shall be relied upon to determine whether the examination score or performance level for the seal has been met.

(b) Where a portfolio is relied upon to determine whether to award a Seal of Biliteracy, school district appointed personnel with language performance at the distinguished level on the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines 2012 in the same language as the student portfolio shall assess the portfolio.

(6) The ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines 2012 are hereby incorporated by reference (DOS Link) and may be obtained from the Bureau of Student Achievement through Language Acquisition, Department of Education, 325 West Gaines St., Suite 444, Tallahassee, Florida 32399.

(7) The Commissioner of Education shall provide to each school district an appropriate insignia to be affixed to the student’s diploma indicating that the student has been awarded the Gold Seal of Biliteracy or the Silver Seal of Biliteracy in accordance with Rule 6A-1.0995, F.A.C.

Rulemaking Authority 1003.432 FS. Law Implemented 1003.432 FS–History-New____. 

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Hershel Lyons, Chancellor, K-12 Public Schools.

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Pam Stewart, Commissioner, Department of Education.

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: January 24, 2017

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: October 31, 2016