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Teton County students: 23% of seniors qualify for Seal of Biliteracy as district expands dual‑language pathway
Summary
District leaders reported growth in the K–12 dual language immersion pathway and that roughly 23% of the combined graduating class met Seal of Biliteracy benchmarks this year, with 52 students meeting national/international bilingual proficiency criteria. Staff described STAMP testing rollout and middle‑school pathway awards.
TETON COUNTY — District leaders presented data showing continued expansion of the kindergarten‑through‑12th‑grade dual language immersion (DLI) pathway and a notable number of students achieving the Seal of Biliteracy.
Dan Abraham, principal at Munger Mountain Elementary School, told trustees that the DLI program began in 2009–2010 and now spans K–12 across district feeder schools. This year the district reported that about 23% of graduating seniors will qualify for a Seal of Biliteracy and that 52 students met national/international benchmarks for bilingualism and biliteracy across Spanish and French programs. Abraham said the results likely rank among the highest percentages in the state, though the district is still confirming comparisons with larger districts.
Staff described the district’s use of third‑party STAMP testing (added K–8 this year and in place at the high‑school level for several years) to benchmark student proficiency in the four domains of language (reading, writing, speaking and listening). Middle‑school pathway awards and service projects were described as part of the K–5 recognition program designed to build continuity into the pathway as students transition between schools.
Trustees asked about statewide comparisons and were told an Education Department contact will cross‑reference other districts and return comparative data. Administrators said they will present comprehensive STAMP testing results when the board returns in August.
The district emphasized that the Seal is not limited to students who began in DLI; some students who began learning a language later in middle or high school have qualified through dedicated study and testing.
