Middle School Awards

Middle School Awards can be presented to students on the path to biliteracy (Service and Participation) or for attainment of a specified level of biliteracy (Biliteracy Attainment Award).

Middle School Service and Participation Award

This award is designed to reward engagement in pursuit of language skills in two or more languages, to affirm positive attitudes towards multilingualism, and to validate use of multiple languages for all students. Requirements may include:

  • Participation in at least two years of a World Language class or a Native Speakers class with a passing grade;
  • California Standards Test – English Language Arts portion at a "Proficient" level or above;
  • Written essay on why knowing multiple languages is important;
  • Oral presentation about five careers where bilingualism is important and why and how bilingualism is a benefit in those careers;
  • A personal response essay to having attended two cultural events from the second language/ culture being studied.

Middle School Biliteracy Attainment Award

This award is designed to set a standard for high level biliteracy attainment for students in a Two- Way, Heritage, Immersion, World Language, or Dual Language program. All students, English fluent and English Learners, might be required to meet the following performance standards:

  • Proficient or above on the Standards Test in Spanish or District Assessment of grade-level competency in a language other than English;
  • Oral Proficiency in a language other than English (e.g., for a Spanish speaker in a Two-Way Bilingual Immersion or Dual Language program, LAS at a level 6/8 or equivalent);
  • California Standards Test – English Language Arts portion at a "Proficient" level or above;
  • Average grades of B or higher in English classes and in World Language or Native Speakers courses;
  • Written essay on why knowing multiple languages is important;
  • Oral presentation about five careers where bilingualism is important and why and how bilingualism is a benefit in those careers;
  • A personal response essay to having attended two cultural events from the second language/ culture they are studying.