The State Seal of Biliteracy (SSB), per Assembly Bill 815 (Brownley, Chapter 618, Statutes of 2011), became effective January 1, 2012. This program recognizes high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing one or more languages in addition to English. The SSB will be awarded by the Superintendent of Public Instruction in accordance with specified criteria set forth in the legislation .

A county office of education, school district, or direct-funded charter school that participates in this program must maintain appropriate records of their identification of qualifying students and then submit the number of eligible students to the California Department of Education (CDE) on the Insignia Request Form. The Insignia Request Forms may be submitted at any time; however, it is recommended that requests be submitted far enough in advance to allow time for the CDE to process the requests and for insignias to be affixed to diplomas or transcripts. Participation is voluntary and no fee may be charged to the student.

The CDE will mail to the requestor one seal per eligible student to be affixed to the diploma or transcript. See the attached letter to the field, which lists the criteria and other essential information.

See the SSB Informational Letter to the Field, which lists the criteria and other essential information. However, please note, the following interim eligibility requirements for criteria number two:

1. Passing a locally determined assessment at the "proficient" level in English-language arts (ELA) set for native English speakers administered at grade eleven or
2. Using an existing passing California Standards Test in ELA at the "proficient" level given in grade ten