The Ohio Seal of Biliteracy is an award conferred on graduating high school seniors who can demonstrate proficiency in English and a high level of proficiency in at least one other world language
High school graduates who can function in English and at least one other world language are equipped with knowledge and skills that will help them participate successfully in college, careers, the military and a diverse global society
A Seal of Biliteracy will bolster a student’s academic credentials when applying to colleges. Additionally, certain Ohio universities have created a mechanism to award university credit and ensure appropriate course placement for further advanced language study while other Ohio post-secondary institutions seek to do the same. Many universities across the U.S. also recognize Ohio’s Seal of Biliteracy for these purposes
The benefits of multilingualism are cognitive, educational, economic, and sociocultural
The test can be completed within 15 months of graduation. This means scores are valid for earning the Seal as early as junior year in February
How is Proficiency Level Assessed?
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Example Score Report
At Northmont, we use the AAPPL test to determine a student's proficiency level in a second language
The AAPPL is an assessment of standards-based language learning across the three modes of communication as defined by the National Standards for Foreign Language Learning
The AAPPL is delivered over the internet, under proctored conditions, and requires that each candidate have headphones with a microphone
The AAPPL assesses the ability of a candidate to engage in linguistic tasks on topics of personal, social, and academic relevance across the three modes of communication. Each task, such as writing an email message, video-chatting in the target language, or making selections from something heard or read, takes place in the context of the language classroom. AAPPL's content is refreshed every year, developed by ACTFL in direct collaboration with assessment, pedagogy and language experts
Each portion of the test is taken separately; once a section earns the minimum required score, it does not need to be retaken; a portion of the test can be retaken once per school year. This means that in total, over two school years, a student can take a portion of the test a total of four times
The test categories are:
Interpersonal Listening/Speaking - 30 minutes
Presentational Writing - 60 minutes
Interpretive Reading - 30 minutes
Interpretive Listening - 30 minutes
The minimum scores required to earn the Ohio Seal of Biliteracy are I-5 on three parts and I-4 on one part
A single AAPPL Score, according to the ACTFL Performance Scale, is issued for each component of the test