Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Seal Of Biliteracy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
District updates Seal of Biliteracy program; aims to expand multilingual recognitions
Summary
Milwaukee Public Schools reported on the Seal of Biliteracy program, outlining statewide partnership, expansion to additional languages, and a goal to graduate 260 students with the seal this year; the district will host a language festival and continues to work with DPI on credentialing.
Milwaukee Public Schools officials briefed the committee Thursday on the district’s Seal of Biliteracy program, which recognizes students who demonstrate proficiency in English and an additional world language by graduation.
Solmaris Gonzalez Chico, curriculum specialist for world language and bilingual literacy coordinator, said MPS has partnered with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to develop the Seal of Biliteracy as a statewide recognition and that MPS launched the district program in 2019‑20. The district initially had 18 graduates in French, German and Spanish and has since expanded the list of eligible languages by 17 additional languages, most recently adding Igbo with DPI approval.
Gonzalez Chico said the district’s goal for the school year is to graduate 260 students with the Seal of Biliteracy. She described program requirements: students must demonstrate intermediate‑high proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, writing (or signed language) in English and the target language and complete a social‑cultural competence project that connects U.S. culture with cultures tied to the student’s second language.
Program supports and events MPS assigns a school‑based coordinator at each high school to recruit candidates and a team of advisers to support students through the process. The district hosts a multicultural exposition where candidates present social‑cultural competency projects and plans a language festival to celebrate graduates; administration invited the public to a language festival scheduled at the Rosa Parks Auditorium at Golda Meir Upper Campus on a Saturday in May beginning at 10 a.m. (presentation did not state the exact calendar date).
Why it matters The Seal of Biliteracy provides a credential that the district says supports college and career readiness and recognizes multilingual and intercultural competence. MPS officials framed multilingualism as an instructional priority and highlighted the program as a district effort to expand access to bilingual and immersion pathways.
Committee response Director Leonard thanked staff for the clear presentation and noted favorable student outcomes tied to Seal of Biliteracy program participation. No public commenters registered on the item.
