New Hampshire Seal of Biliteracy

Seal of Biliteracy Status

Approved State Seal

Adoption Date

2020-09-25

Website(s)

Visit Site

State Contact(s)

Janna Jobel, PhD
New Hampshire Department of Education
(603) 568-8813
Janna.M.Jobel@doe.nh.gov

New Hampshire State Info:

In September of 2020, Commissioner of Education, Frank Edelblut approved adoption of the Seal of Biliteracy in New Hampshire. In spring 2021, New Hampshire students will be eligible to receive the State Seal of Biliteracy for the first time.

In 2016, the Manchester School District in NH approved a school district-level Seal of Biliteracy award. Since 2016, more than 150 high school seniors from Manchester, NH have earned the distinction. Implementation of the award in Manchester generated statewide interest that was used to leverage support for adoption of the award at the state level.

New Hampshire Seal of Biliteracy Updates

Jan-15-2016

Dr. Dianna Wentzell, Commissioner of Education has proposed a State Seal of Biliteracy, which will be submitted to the legislator for approval in the short legislative session.

Recent State Updates

- South Dakota
- Jan-30-2024
- The South Dakota Department of Education is offering a Silver and Gold Seal of Biliteracy. The requirements for obtaining the seals can be found in the SD Seal of Biliteracy Implementation Guide below. Students who qualify will receive a physical seal that can be affixed to their high school diplomas as well as an identifier on the student's transcript. Participation in this program is voluntary for school districts.
- North Dakota
- Feb-19-2019
- The North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) is proud to announce the implementation of the North Dakota Seal of Biliteracy (NDSB) award program. The NDSB is an award presented to graduating students who have demonstrated proficiency in a language in addition to English.
  
  North Dakota joins more than half of the nation in awarding a Seal of Biliteracy. The NDSB is established to recognize students and provide an identifier of this accomplishment for employers and post-secondary institutions. The NDSB serves to inspire the implementation of biliteracy programs and pathways of language development in districts across the state and help districts demonstrate value in diversity/culture.
  
  The NDSB is awarded by the NDDPI according to the specific criteria presented in the attached guidance document. Each student will receive a physical foil seal on their high school diploma, a certificate from the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and an identifier on the student's eTranscript. School district participation in the program is completely voluntary.
  
  Please review the attached documents and determine how this program could be implemented in the district. Additional information is available on the NDDPI website.
- Iowa
- Apr-18-2018
- Palm Beach School District has just approved the Seal of Biliteracy. Miami Dade School District approved it last week.
  - Dr. Andrés Ramírez
  Assistant Professor
  Curriculum, Culture and Educational Inquiry
  Florida Atlantic University
- Iowa
- Apr-18-2018
- New Jersey Governor Chris Christie approved a statewide Seal of Biliteracy. The legislation passed earlier this month by the New Jersey Senate (37-0) and New Jersey Assembly (72-2).
- Iowa
- Apr-18-2018
- Does anyone have any tools or strategies to assess less common languages? I wonder if there are easily-understood checklists that volunteers can use to assess student work?