Seal of Biliteracy for Tamil in the State of Georgia
ஜியார்ஜியா மாநில இருமொழி கற்றறிவு முத்திரை
Introduction:
HB 879 was signed into law on May 3, 2016, establishing a Seal of Biliteracy for the state of Georgia. With an excellent effort from our Alpharetta Tamil School, Tamil was added to the list in 2018.
Alpharetta Tamil School has been selected as an approved test center by Avant STAMP 2S to take the language proficiency test for earning the Seal of Biliteracy/Global Seal. With the approval of our school as the test center, any high school student can take the test at our school in a much familiar setting.
The purpose of the Seal of Biliteracy are as follows:
- To encourage students to demonstrate a high-level of proficiency in speaking and writing in Tamil
- Get certified attainment of biliteracy in Tamil
- To provide employers with a method to identify people with language and biliteracy skills
- To provide universities with a method to recognize and give academic credit to applicants seeking admission; and
- To recognize and promote Tamil language instruction in public schools
Seal of Biliteracy in Tamil
What is Seal of Biliteracy?
It is an award for a high school student for being proficient in one or more languages in addition to English.
What are the benefits?
- The Biliteracy Seal denotes that a student is proficient in Tamil in addition to English
- A golden Seal would be added to their high school diploma
- Receiving a congratulatory letter from the Georgia Department of Education
- This will useful for both college admissions and further employments
Who can earn Seal of Biliteracy in Tamil?
The Seal of Biliteracy is open to all high school students in the state of GA.
In order to qualify for the Georgia Seal of Biliteracy, a high school graduate shall meet the following criteria:
(1) Completion of all English language arts requirements for graduation with an overall grade point average of 3.0 or above in those classes; and
(2) Proficiency in Tamil, demonstrated by passing an Avant STAMP WS with a score of 6 or higher in both Writing and Speaking sections. Please refer all proficiency exams details here.
Who are not eligible for Seal of Biliteracy exams?
- Elementary and Middle school students
- Current Tamil school students who still haven’t graduated from Tamil school
- Those who have not completed English language arts requirements in their High school
Is High School credit for Tamil same as Seal of Biliteracy?
No. Seal of Biliteracy is different from earning HS credit for Tamil. Earning HS credit does not mean earning Seal of Biliteracy, they are mutually exclusive. HS credit will be issued, upon graduating from ATS, by respective Fulton County and Forsyth County school systems.
On the other hand, Seal of Biliteracy will be issued by the State of Georgia Department of Education (DOE). To earn Seal of Biliteracy, students would have to take a separate, additional Tamil proficiency test. Graduating from Tamil school is not a requirement.
What is the process to get Biliteracy Seal?
- Enroll for a prep class at ATS
- Upon completing the prep class, register for the exam Avant STAMP WS
- Take both sections of the exam (Writing and Speaking)
- Receive 6 or more marks from Avant STAMP WS
What is the Seal of Biliteracy prep class?
Seal of Biliteracy prep class at ATS, which typically run for 15 weeks. The classes are small with 10-12 students in each class which allows the teacher to provide individual attention. This prep class focuses on
- Applied Tamil language skills; refreshing what they have studied
- Demonstrating proficiency in Tamil to discuss contemporary issues
- Improving critical thinking (outside the box) to provide different perspective on topics
- Showcase all the Tamil language arts – Grammar, Vocabulary, Literature, Culture etc.
- Improving speaking skills, typing in Tamil, and time management.
Is there a fee associated with the prep class for SOB?
Yes. Please contact ATS admin team for the fees structure.
The fees will cover prep classes, mock exams, test center logistics, test administration, Global seal medals/certificates but not the Avant STAMP WS exam fees.
Can non-ATS alumni (from outside of ATS) joins the Seal of Biliteracy prep class?
Yes, this prep class is open to all high school students in the state of GA. Students graduated from other Tamil schools can also register and join the prep classes.
When to register and take the Avant STAMP 2S Seal of Biliteracy exam?
The prep class teachers and Biliteracy coordinator from ATS will evaluate the readiness of the student and will recommend to register for one of the pre-scheduled Seal of Biliteracy exams during the school year. (ATS admin team will publish the exam dates after working with Avant team).
For the students who are in 12th grade, the teachers will work on a fast-track schedule and the students are encouraged to take the exam as soon as they are ready, any time before March to meet the April Seal of Biliteracy deadline in their senior year.
What is the cost of the Avant STAMP 2S exam?
It is a heavily discounted price for the ATS Test center, as of Jan 1st, 2022 it is $22.90
How long is the Seal of Biliteracy exam?
Normally it takes 3 to 4 hours for both sections. On an average, student will spend 30-45 minutes per question; in total there are 3 questions for each section (Writing and Speaking)
What is the minimum score needed to earn the Seal of Biliteracy?
The student needs a minimum score of 6 marks in both writing and speaking sections of the exam to qualify for the Seal of Biliteracy.
Can the student retake the Seal of Biliteracy exam if he/she does not get sufficient scores?
Yes. They can retake the writing or speaking or both until they get the required minimum score, which is 6 marks in the Avant STAMP 2S.
Students will have to retake only the section where they couldn’t get the required minimum score. There will be a fee of $10 for each section of the retake each time.
Please note, there is no limits on number of retakes. Students can continue to retake till they get the required minimum score in each section.
What is next after receiving sufficient scores in the Seal of Biliteracy exam?:
Once the student earns the seal, instruction will be provided by the ATS counselor.
Do we have the list of students who received the Seal of Biliteracy for Tamil from Georgia Department of Education?
The Global Seal for Tamil
What is Global Seal?
It is an award given by 3rd party organization, The Global Seal, for a high school student for being proficient in one or more languages in addition to English. Please refer for more info here.
Do the students need to take a separate exam for Global Seal?
No, the same exam they take for GA Seal of Biliteracy will be sufficient. But the required minimum score in each section of the Avant STAMP 2S exam is less than the GA Seal of Biliteracy. Student will have to score a minimum of 5 marks in the exam (GA DOE needs a minimum of 6 marks for State Seal of Biliteracy)
Do the students need to apply for the Global Seal?
No, ATS will apply for the Global Seal on behalf of students who have received required minimum score, which 5 or more in each section in the Avant STAMP 2S exam.
Please contact Mr. Anbarasan Vincent (Anbu), ATS Counselor for High School Credit and Seal of Biliteracy at counselor@alpharettatamilschool.org for any additional questions.