Wyoming Department of Education puts Seal of Biliteracy in place

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) - Students in Wyoming will soon have the chance to earn a seal of biliteracy, a new mark to symbolize hard work in learning additional languages across the state.

“This will provide students the opportunity to be more marketable, because that seal says that they have proficiency in two or more languages. One being English, and another,” said the Wyoming Department of Education’s Director of Standards and Assessment Laurie Hernandez.

To earn a seal of biliteracy, students must take and pass a test of proficiency.

Once earned, the seal is displayed on their diploma, as well as their transcript.

Different to the district seals that some areas of Wyoming had in place before, this seal can be earned across the state.

The primary focus of this addition is to better assist students as they move forward following graduation.

“This helps our students to be more globally competitive. As businesses are global now, and they need to have the opportunity to be able to speak multiple languages to do the daily business. Students with the the multiple languages, with the Biliteracy, are going to be more marketable for that,” said Hernandez.

As the Wyoming Department of Education continues to develop this program, they’ll be putting together an advisory board to help moving forward.