New Hampshire Seal of Biliteracy
This national award has been adopted by 49 other states across the country. The Seal of Biliteracy is an award given by a school, district, or state in recognition of students who have studied and attained proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation.
Students who earn this designation will receive the state seal on their high school diploma and a state issued award certificate. In addition, documentation of this accomplishment will be included on the student’s official high school transcript, a distinction valued by prospective employers and institutions of higher education.
Our State is a better place because of the rich cultural and linguistic assets of our students. This state and national award program allows districts to acknowledge the achievements of New Hampshire’s bilingual students with an official diploma seal, an honors cord to wear at graduation and a keepsake medal or pin, and/or award certificate. A notation is also made on the student’s official transcript as a signal to future employers or to institutions of higher education.
Letter of Support from Education Commissioner Edelblut & Governor Sununu
In September of 2020, Commissioner of Education, Frank Edelblut approved adoption of the Seal of Biliteracy in New Hampshire. In spring 2021, New Hampshire students will be eligible to receive the State Seal of Biliteracy for the first time.
Past Award Recipients
Resources for School or District Award Committees
The state level Seal of Biliteracy (SoBL) committee has compiled a resource kit to help promote the award through schools and districts in New Hampshire interested in offering this distinction to students.
- Toolkit for School or District Award Coordinators
- Student Application
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Student and Family Letter
Upcoming Informational Webinars
The goal of these webinars is to support educators in implementing this award program.
Contacts
The New Hampshire Seal of Biliteracy award is supported through ongoing collaboration between NHED and NH Association of World Language Teachers (NHAWLT). The NH Association of World Language Teachers has agreed to be the stewards of this award. For more information please contact: nhseal@nhawlt.org.
State Seal of Biliteracy Committee Members
Cindi Hodgdon
NHAWLT
World Language Educator
Jessica Paeplow
World Language & EL Educator
Wendy Perron
Executive Director of EL Instruction and Equity, Manchester School District