Arizona Administrative Code › Title 7 - EDUCATION › Chapter 2 - STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION › Article 3 - CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS › Section R7-2-317 - State Seal of Biliteracy Program

Current through Register Vol. 30, No. 28, July 12, 2024
A.
				Definitions. For purposes of this section, "foreign language" means any
				language other than English.
B.
				School districts and charter schools in this state may choose to participate in
				the State Seal of Biliteracy Program (Program) which recognizes students who
				have attained a high level of proficiency in one or more foreign languages, in
				addition to English. School districts and charter schools participating in the
				Program may award the State Seal of Biliteracy to any high school student who
				graduates from a school operated by the school district or charter school and
				who meets the requirements of subsection (B)(1) or (2), and subsection (B)(3).
1. Assessment Method. To demonstrate language
				proficiency through the assessment method, the student must attain the required
				score on a language assessment as adopted by the State Board of Education, upon
				recommendation by the Arizona Department of Education, for purposes of
				demonstrating language proficiency for the Program in the four domains of
				speaking, writing, listening, and reading.
2. Alternative evidence model. A school
				district or charter school may choose to award the State Seal of Biliteracy
				through an alternative evidence method.
a. An
				alternative evidence method may be used in any of the following circumstances:
i. No standardized assessment exists for the
				targeted foreign language;
ii.
				Evaluating the language proficiency of a student with disabilities for whom the
				standardized assessment is inappropriate as determined by the student's
				Individualized Education Program team or a student on a 504 plan as determined
				by the student's 504 plan committee; or
iii. The standardized assessment for the
				targeted foreign language does not assess one or more of the four domains of
				speaking, writing, listening and reading.
b. Any alternative evidence method used shall
				consist of a student portfolio that contains evidence of experience in the
				targeted foreign language, as well as work samples, test results and other
				accomplishments that demonstrate proficiency, as established in the guidelines
				developed by the Arizona Department of Education, in the targeted foreign
				language in the four domains of speaking, writing, listening and reading.
				Student portfolios shall comply with guidelines adopted by the
				Department.
c. A school district or
				charter school that uses an alternative evidence model must notify the Arizona
				Department of Education.
3. To be eligible to be awarded the State
				Seal of Biliteracy, each student shall also demonstrate proficiency in English
				by meeting the following requirements:
a. The
				student must successfully complete all English Language Arts requirements for
				graduation, pursuant to A.A.C.
				R7-2-302,
				with an overall grade point average in those classes of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0
				scale, or the equivalent; and
b.
				The student receives a passing score in English Language Arts on one of the
				following:
i. The statewide assessment
				adopted pursuant to A.R.S. §
												15-741,
				an assessment approved by the Board pursuant to A.R.S. §
												15-741.02,
				or another state's statewide assessment;
ii. A nationally recognized college entrance
				exam;
iii. An exam that is accepted
				for credit or admission by at least one university under the jurisdiction of
				the Arizona Board of Regents; or
iv.
				An end of course exam administered as part of a dual enrollment or concurrent
				enrollment course.
c. If
				the student has a primary home language other than English, the student shall
				obtain a score of proficient based on the English language proficiency
				standards pursuant to A.R.S. §
											15-756.