Ooltewah High School conducted a ceremony for 12 seniors who recently earned the Seal of Biliteracy award
Chattanooga, Tennessee- Ooltewah High School conducted a ceremony for 12 seniors who recently earned the Seal of Biliteracy award, recognizing their exceptional proficiency in both English and another language. This ceremony marks Ooltewah's inaugural year participating in the Volunteer State Seal of Biliteracy program, which began in 2018.
The Seal of Biliteracy, launched in California in 2011 and now recognized nationally, is awarded to students who meet high language proficiency standards. This year, the prestigious award was also given to two students at STEM School Chattanooga for their proficiency in Arabic.
To qualify for the award, candidates must maintain a 3.0 grade point average in their English classes and achieve proficient scores on an English exam, such as the AP English exam, the ACT reading exam, or the Tennessee End of Course English exams. Additionally, candidates must demonstrate language proficiency at the Intermediate Mid level by taking a nationally recognized test in another language. Students who excel in the listening and speaking sections and achieve scores in the Advanced range are granted the Seal of Bilingualism.
Among the honorees, junior Emily Sanchez of Ooltewah High School received the seal for her proficiency in both Spanish and French. A native Spanish speaker enrolled in French 4, Sanchez shared her journey: "When I heard about the Seal of Biliteracy, I knew I wanted to try for the award. I didn’t think my French was good enough to pass the test. When I got my scores, I had such a sense of accomplishment."
Faye Wilcox, the coordinator of the program at Ooltewah High School, emphasized the significance of the award: "Bilingualism gives people an edge over monolingual candidates in various careers." The Seal of Biliteracy serves as official documentation of a student's linguistic abilities and a bridge to opportunities in higher education and the workforce. To qualify, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in English classes and demonstrate language proficiency through approved exams.
The Seal of Biliteracy is a valuable certification for college language credit, placement, and careers requiring language skills. The Seal of Biliteracy ceremony proudly reflects Hamilton County's commitment to belonging and a future full of endless opportunities for every student.