Californians Together Presents: The Seal of Biliteracy -- Celebrating Students of the 21st Century

Californians Together Announces the Release of a New Film
"The Seal of Biliteracy -- Celebrating Students of the 21st Century"

What does it mean to be a student of the 21st century? High school seniors graduating in this global era need to have skills to be able to communicate across national borders and languages. They need to be prepared to enter into the global world that they will inherit upon graduation. Being proficient in English and one or more other world languages is a strong indicator that they are not only college and career ready but prepared to contribute to the prosperity of their local community, and our diverse state and nation as bilingual professionals, social service providers, and international diplomats.

The film, The Seal of Biliteracy -- Celebrating Students of the 21st Century, presents the journey and voices of three students: Richard Robles, Sierra Vista High School graduate from Baldwin Park Unified School District, You Li and Elizabeth Paiva, graduates from Modesto City Schools who have all earned the Seal of Biliteracy. The Seal of Biliteracy is a seal affixed to the transcript or diploma of a graduating senior who has meet internationally benchmarked criteria to demonstrate proficiency in English and one or more world languages. The goal is biliteracy at a high level for graduating high schools seniors

Richard, who began school as a Spanish speaker, has reached his goal of proficiency in English and Spanish and has been accepted to UC San Diego. You Li began school as a Mandarin speaker. She is now proficient in English and Mandarin and is proud of her bilingualism and biliteracy achievements. Elizabeth Paiva began school as an English speaker. She is now proficient in English and Spanish and feels accomplished with her ability to speak, read and write in two languages.

Californians Together has worked with schools districts across the state of California establishing this biliteracy recognition program. Fifty-eight schools, districts and county offices of education implemented the Seal of Biliteracy in June, 2011 and over 6,000 students were awarded the Seal of Biliteracy. The film presents the voices and perspective of parents, school administrators, school board members and business leaders who acknowledge and understand that their students need to be prepared for their role in our 21st century global society in awarding them a Seal of Biliteracy.

The film also presents elementary school students in Hoover Community School in Redwood City Schools who receive a biliteracy pathway award documenting their proficiency in English and Spanish. The students, their parents, and teachers celebrate their achievements at a school-wide biliteracy award ceremony that sets the students' sights on pursuing a seal on their high school diploma.

The simple concept and low cost education reform of the Seal of Biliteracy is now driving curricular change. It is changing attitudes that the students, parents and education community have about language, themselves and each other. These students will enter into an interconnected world prepared and motivated to be responsible citizens of the 21st century.

For further information about implementing the Seal of Biliteracy, purchasing the DVD or viewing it on Facebook, UTube or our website, www.californianstogether.org, contact:

Californians Together
525 E. 7th St.
Long Beach, CA 90803
562-983-1333
[email protected]