Kansas Seal of Biliteracy
The Kansas Seal of Biliteracy is awarded to a student upon graduation by the Kansas State Department of Education and a local school district to recognize any student who has attained proficiency in English and one or more other world languages. The recognition for attaining biliteracy becomes part of a student’s high school transcript. The Seal of Biliteracy is a statement of accomplishment that recognizes a student’s readiness for career, college, and engagement as a global citizen.
Great Bend High School established the Seal of Biliteracy in the 2017-2018 school year, Assistant Superintendent Tricia Reiser said. “Since then, we have 56 students who have obtained the certificate. We hope that this school year 10 more students will obtain their certificates.
Students who learn a foreign language in high school generally see higher scores on the national ACT test than those who don’t. Learning two foreign languages is even better, said Great Bend High School’s German teacher, Karen Clark.
“In general, four years of world languages increases ACT scores more than four years of math,” Clark said. This is probably due to the daily critical thinking required to learn a new language.
Students can earn the Kansas Seal of Biliteracy by becoming fluent in two languages. The recognition becomes part of the student’s high school record.
While many Spanish-speaking students obtain this as they master English, Clark said they shouldn’t stop there. “Spanish speakers need to add a third language,” she recommended. “Spanish and German are what we’d like to see.”
Foreign language courses are considered electives and are not required for college-bound students. However, Clark said the Kansas Board of Regents recommends students enter college with two consecutive levels of a foreign language.
Curriculum adoptions
Clark and other foreign language instructors at Great Bend High School have recommended the next curriculum adoption for Spanish and German classes. Clark was joined by Zusseth Pinillo and Anna Alvarez at last week’s USD 428 Board of Education meeting, where they explained their recommendations for the next curriculum adoptions. Christina Montez was unable to attend but is part of the curriculum selection committee. Together, they are known as “the lingo ladies” of Great Bend High School.
GBHS offers German and Spanish as well as one Spanish course for Spanish speakers that Clark said is “very popular.”
Curriculum recommendations always have a “first reading” that allows the school board members a month to review them and ask questions. These recommendations will most likely be approved by the school board in May. Assistant Superintendent Tricia Reiser said the price for materials is being negotiated but it will be comparable to the previous adoption and may be less expensive.
Similarly, the school board was presented with a math curriculum for grades 7-12 at its March meeting and approved the recommendation at the April 10 meeting.
The school district relies on instructors to research and test each new curriculum adoption. Most curricula are updated every seven years, with a rotation so they don’t all come due at the same time. For foreign languages, Clark recommended materials from Carnegie, “a well-known publisher” that will provide updated vocabulary and up-to-date news sections that make the lessons more relevant and help students learn about other cultures along with another language.
The Spanish curriculum is called “Que Chevere!” which translates to “how cool!”
