Bilingual and Multilingual Seals and Certificates

• Dakota Hills Middle School
• Rosemount Middle School
• Apple Valley High School  (1-4/CIS)
• Eagan High School  (1-5/CIS)
• Eastview High School (1-5/CIS)
• Rosemount High School  (1-5/CIS)

• Apple Valley High School (1-4/CIS)
• Eagan High School (1-4/CIS)
• Eastview High School  (1-4)
• Rosemount High School (1-4/CIS)

• Apple Valley High School (1-4)
• Eastview High School  (1-4)

• Diamond Path School of International Studies (Magnet School)
• Rosemount Middle School
• Scott Highlands Middle School
• Eastview High School (2-5/CIS)
• Rosemount High School (1-5/CIS)

• Black Hawk Middle School
• Dakota Hills Middle School
• Diamond Path School of International Studies (Magnet School)
• Falcon Ridge Middle School
• Rosemount Middle School
• Scott Highlands Middle School
• Valley Middle School
• Apple Valley High School  (1-5/CIS)
• Eagan High School  (1-5/CIS)
• Eastview High School  (1-6/CIS)
• Rosemount High School  (1-6/CIS/AP)
• 196 Online High School

According to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, proficiency is described as what one can do with language in real-world situations in a spontaneous and unrehearsed context in the four modalities of reading, listening, speaking and writing. Within each modality, proficiency is classified within the continuum of novice, intermediate, advanced, superior and distinguished. These ranges are further divided by low, mid and high levels. Proficiency takes time and progress varies from individual to individual.

An individual may perform in various ranges of proficiency in distinct modalities but must demonstrate consistency across all modalities to receive specific classifications. For example, one may demonstrate a proficiency of intermediate-mid in reading and listening and intermediate-low in speaking and writing. In this case, the individual would be considered at an intermediate–low proficiency.

In District 196 students must be enrolled in grade 12 when being assessed for a seal. They must attain a certain score on the ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency (AAPPL) and Avant STAndards-based Measurement of Proficiency (STAMP 4S) that correlates to the ACTFL levels needed for each level of recognition. View a demo of the AAPPL Measure (students should choose Form B for the demo). View a demo of the STAMP assessment.

It takes a long time to develop proficiency in a language. The time it takes to reach each level varies from individual to individual. There are many different factors that play a role in developing language proficiency such as where, how, when, and why a person learns a language.

Students who achieve the intermediate-low level of proficiency in the four modalities (listening, speaking, reading and writing) will earn a Minnesota World Language Proficiency Certificate, which will be noted on their transcript.

Students who achieve the intermediate-high level of proficiency in the four modalities in one language will earn the Minnesota Bilingual Gold Seal on their high school transcript. Students who reach this level of proficiency in the four modalities in two languages will earn the Minnesota Multilingual Gold Seal on their high school transcript.

Students who reach the advanced-low level of proficiency in the four modalities in one language will earn the Minnesota Bilingual Platinum Seal on their high school diploma. Students who reach this level of proficiency in the four modalities in two languages will earn a notation on the Minnesota Multilingual Platinum Seal on their high school transcript.

• The student satisfactorily completes all required English Language Arts credits (seal only);
• The student demonstrates proficiency in another language through a language proficiency assessment approved by the Minnesota Department of Education, and
• The student is in grade 12.

In accordance with Minnesota Statute 120B.022, students must also “satisfactorily complete all required English Language Arts credits” to “demonstrate mastery of Minnesota’s English language proficiency standards” in order to receive a seal at the intermediate-high and advanced-low levels. 

All students will receive a letter with the test results from District 196.

Students who earn the World Language Proficiency Certificate or the Bilingual/Multilingual Seal will have a notation entered on their transcript and will receive the certificate or seal created by the Minnesota Department of Education.

Yes. Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) award college credit for World Language Proficiency Certificates and Bilingual/Multilingual Seals. Minnesota legislation states that a student must be enrolled in a Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) institution and must request college credits for the seal or proficiency certificate within three academic years after graduating from high school. Students should consult with their adviser at a college. Students’ high school transcript will serve as a proof of their proficiency attainment.

Colleges outside of the MnSCU system will use their own guidelines to evaluate a student’s language proficiency.

Resources for Minnesota bilingual and multilingual seals and certificates include the following:

• Full Minnesota World Language Proficiency Certificate and Bilingual Seal legislation (Legislation 120B.022)
• Additional information from the Minnesota Department of Education
• MDE FAQ chart

• MnSCU colleges and universities lists

• Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (ACTFL) Proficiency Guidelines (Provides a description of what language learners can do with the language in the four modalities at each proficiency level, regardless of when, where, or how the language is acquired.)
• The ACTFL Performance Descriptors (Describe language performance that is the result of explicit instruction in an instructional setting, providing additional information about language learners and their performance levels.)
• ACTFL Proficiency Levels (Gives a visual image of how long and who is likely to function at various interpersonal proficiency levels. ACTFL has outlined proficiency levels, professions, and the time needed to achieve these levels in this chart.)

• AAPPL Measurement demo

• Student tips for taking the AAPPL Measurement
• Avant STAMP 4S (Standards-based Measurement of Proficiency demo for students)
• Student Test Taker Guide for taking the STAMP Measurement