The New Ecology of Biliteracy in California: An Exploratory Study of the Early Implementation of the State Seal of Biliteracy

• In Event: 26.080 - Roundtable Session 8
  In Roundtable Session: 26.080-19 - Evolution of Language in Education Policy in Four States/Regions

Abstract

Nearly, 25,000 graduating high school students across California have earned state recognition for achieving proficiency in multiple languages in 2014. This exploratory, mixed-methods study investigated the early implementation of the State Seal of Biliteracy (SSB) in California. Sixty-two district personnel were surveyed, three SSB directors were interviewed and a document review was conducted. Overall, the study revealed four themes that influence the implementation of the SSB at the district level: Intentional Creation of an Ecology of Biliteracy, Developing Notions for Biliteracy Scripts and Assessment, Privileging Sequential Biliteracy Development- Scarcity of Biliteracy Pathways, and Individual and Collective Agency for Biliteracy. Hornberger’s (2003) Continua of Biliteracy was used as a theoretical framework to analyze this study’s findings.

Author

• Tanya DeLeón, Loyola Marymount University