Our Story
The State Seal of Biliteracy movement has swept across the United States since it was first created in the State of California in 2011. The Seal of Biliteracy provides recognition for public school students who demonstrate proficiency in both English and a second language. However, in most states private, charter, independent, college, and homeschoolers are not eligible to receive the Seal of Biliteracy.
We want to provide an opportunity for ALL language users and students to earn recognition for their language proficiency skills. The Global Seal of Biliteracy by design is inclusive, embracing all languages and learners, with the intent to provide equal access and expanded opportunity. Our globe logo captures that goal with its open borders. Inside the globe are circles that include the words (clockwise starting from the top): read in Japanese, capable in Spanish and Portuguese, fluent in Chinese, talent in Korean, fluency in English, competent in Amharic, and listen in Arabic. These languages represent each continent and their meanings show the diversity of skills and attributes those who earn the Global Seal posses. The circles intersect and connect as a metaphor for the Global Seal and the advantages of being bilingual in a multicultural world. So, we ask, where will your Global Seal of Biliteracy take you?
Executive Director of the Global Seal of Biliteracy
Founding Sponsor of the Global Seal of Biliteracy and CEO of Avant Assessment
Global Seal of Biliteracy Program Manager
Board of Advisors
The Global Seal of Biliteracy organization, founded and sponsored by Avant Assessment, has an independent Board of Advisors made up of K-12 and higher education faculty and second language acquisition and assessment researchers from across the country who advise and guide the program’s mission.
Click the photo to read each advisor's full bio.
International Education Administrator, Seattle Public Schools, former World Language Supervisor State of Washington
Founding Executive Director of the Center for Advanced Study of Language, Co-Founder and Chief Language Officer of Jeenie™
Professor of Spanish at California State University, Long Beach and co-director of the National Heritage Language Resource Center at UCLA
World Language Specialist, Jefferson County Public Schools, KY, former president of ACTFL and World Language Supervisor State of Kentucky
Professor at Stanford University, Executive Director of California World Language Project
National Education Coordinator for Utah State Senate (1993-2018)
President ELE Consulting International, Director of Chinese Early Language and Immersion Network at Asia Society, former Deputy Director of National Foreign Language Center, University of Maryland
T Welch Consulting, a leading innovator in the World Language field, retired High School Principal and French teacher
““As the Executive Director of the Illinois Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages I applaud this opportunity for World Language students and English Language Learners in private or parochial schools or those home-schooled to be recognized for their proficiency in English and another language or languages. As the retired World Language Department Chair at St. Bede Academy, Peru IL, I am excited that St. Bede students’ language proficiency can be celebrated and recognized officially in a manner that will impact their college and career opportunities.””