Assembly Bill 370 – Amends Existing Law Regarding Pupil Instruction For The State Seal Of Biliteracy

Existing law establishes the State Seal of Biliteracy to recognize high school graduates who have attained a higher level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in one or more languages, in addition to English.  To receive the State Seal of Biliteracy, a pupil must complete all English language arts requirements for graduation with an overall grade point average of 2.0 or above; pass the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress for English language arts; and demonstrates proficiency in one or more languages other than English through at least one method, as specified.

AB 370 changes the existing criteria to require a pupil to both demonstrate proficiency in English by meeting one of the four specific requirements; and demonstrating proficiency in a language other than English by meeting one of three specified requirements.

The new requirements are as follows:

• Proficiency in English is demonstrated by satisfying one of the following requirements:

1. 1. Completion of English language arts requirements for graduation with an overall grade point average of 3.0 or better;
   2. Pass the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress for English language arts with “standard met” or above achievement level;
   3. Pass an English Advance Placement examination with a score of 3 or higher or English International Baccalaureate with a score of 4 or better; or
   4. SAT score of 480 or higher on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing.

• Demonstrating proficiency in one or more language other than English by satisfying one of the following requirements:
  1. Passing a world language Advancement Placement examination with a score of 3 or higher; passing a world language International Baccalaureate examination with a score of 4 or higher; or passing a world language ACTFL Writing Proficiency Test and an Oral Proficiency Interview with scores of Intermediate or higher;
  2. Successful completion of a four-year course of study of content in a world language at high school or higher level if overall grade point average of 3.0; or above or successful completion of high school level courses completed in another country in a language other than English; or equivalent class at a California Community Colleges, California State University, or University of California.
  3. If no AP examination or off-the-shelf language test exists, and the school district can certify to the Superintendent that the test meets the rigor of a four year high school course of study in world language, by passing a school district examination that, at minimum, assesses speaking, reading and writing in a language other than English at the proficient level or higher.

The bill also revises the eligibility requirements for pupils whose primary language is other than English.  To receive the State Seal of Biliteracy, the pupil must achieve an Oral Language composite score of level 4 on the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California.

(AB 370 amends Section 51461 of the Education Code.)