Seal of Biliteracy

The Hawai‘i State Board of Education established a Seal of Biliteracy to be awarded upon graduation to students who demonstrate a high proficiency in both of the state's two official languages (English and Hawaiian) OR either of the state’s two official languages and at least one additional language, including American Sign Language.

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Click the image to the right to view a photo album that highlights the Seal of Biliteracy honorees from across the state.  

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Purpose
  • To enable students to be college, career, and community ready in a global society;
  • To establish an educational culture that recognizes and values the wealth of linguistic and cultural diversity students bring to the classroom;
  • To support opportunities for the study of and increase proficiency in ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i; and
  • To encourage partnerships with institutions of higher education and community organizations to increase access to language instruction in a variety of languages.​

Eligibility

  1. Must be a graduating senior enrolled in a Hawaiʻi public or charter school.
  2. Demonstrate proficiency in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi or English:
    • ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi: a minimum of 3.0 cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) upon graduation in Hawaiian Language Arts courses required for a high school graduation diploma
    • English (choose one of the following):
      1. a minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA upon graduation in English Language Arts courses required for a high school graduation diploma
      2. a “3” or above in the Smarter Balanced English Language Arts/Literacy assessment completed in grade 11
      3. a score of “3” or above on the Advanced Placement (AP) English Language and Composition exam
      4. a score of “4” or above on the International Baccalaureate (IB) English Language A exam
      5. a composite score of at least 480 on the SAT Reading/Writing exam
      6. a composite score of at least 18 on the ACT English exam
      7. an overall score of at least 4.5 on the most recent ACCESS for ELLs exam
  3. Attain the requisite score for one or more of the following world language requirements:
    • ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and Writing Proficiency Test (WPT): a rating of Intermediate Mid or above in each language domain
    • AP language exam: a score of 3 or above
    • American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI): a score of 2 or above
    • Avant exam: a score of 5 or above in each language domain
    • IB language: a score of 4 or above

The Hawaiʻi Seal of Biliteracy is now accepting applications from Class of 2025 graduating seniors at DOE and charter schools! To apply, please complete the online application at http://bit.ly/HISeal2025Apply by the following deadlines:

  • By 3:00 p.m. on Friday, November 1, 2024: for applicants who wish to take the Advanced Placement language exams in School Year 2024-2025 to fulfill the world language requirement must complete and submit the online application.

  • By 3:00 p.m. on Friday, November 8, 2024: first application deadline for all other applicants.

As part of the application, applicants and their parents/legal guardians must also complete a separate signature form and a student publication/audio/video release form via Adobe Sign at bit.ly/HISeal2025SignSPAV.


Award

Seal of Biliteracy honorees receive the following: the Seal of Biliteracy designation added to the transcript, a medallion, and a certificate. 

Implementation Resources for Schools and Complexes

  • Available Languages and Assessments: a list of languages and assessments accepted for the Hawaiʻi State Seal of Biliteracy
  • Flyer: outreach material available in the following languages


Contact Information

Emily Lam

Phone: 808-784-6428

Email: biliteracy@k12.hi.us​

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