District to offer Michigan Seal of Biliteracy to qualifying multilingual high school students

Livonia Public Schools curriculum staff proposed offering the Michigan Seal of Biliteracy to qualifying multilingual learners, the board heard Dec. 9.

Presenters (listed as Mr. Itu and Mrs. O’Brien) described the seal as a state recognition placed on a student’s high school diploma for proficiency in English and an additional language. The district noted the state adopted the Seal of Biliteracy approximately six years ago and that roughly 115 Michigan districts have implemented the program.

To earn the seal, students must meet Michigan Merit Curriculum (MMC) requirements in English and achieve an intermediate‑high proficiency level on an approved language assessment for the additional language. The district said approved exams vary by language and the cost of the assessment typically ranges from about $25 to $95 depending on the test. Presenters said the district would support families who cannot afford the fee.

The committee discussed logistics: testing is typically scheduled in the spring of a student’s junior year or the fall of senior year; the program is intended for students earning a high school diploma and therefore applies at the high‑school level. The district emphasized that the seal can be earned for any language in which the student demonstrates required proficiency — not only languages the district offers in its course catalog.

Board members asked about outreach and how families would be notified and about the number of students who might qualify. Presenters said the world‑language department will define the notification and testing process and that level‑3 (and higher) world‑language students, as well as students who speak another language at home, are natural candidates. The district will return with operational details and timelines as staff finalize the process.