According to sealofbiliteracy.org, all states but one have adopted a seal of biliteracy for inclusion on high school diplomas. When the Montana Board of Public Education adopted its seal in 2021, we were one of the last states to take the leap. There was much to consider: Should the Montana legislature lead the effort? Should we wait until federal funding was allocated? How can the Montana Board of Public Education ever support such a huge undertaking? Yet Montana has a large Native American and rural population of students who do not always have access to language programs. At the end of the day, the board decided that adopting the seal of biliteracy was too important to wait for all the stars to align.


Adopting a Seal of Biliteracy: A State Perspective





Featured Items

i

NASBE Series Highlights State Innovation to Transform High Schools in Washington, Kentucky, and Indiana

The Washington, Kentucky, and Indiana state boards of education are advancing bold policies to create more personalized, flexible, and future-ready high school experiences.
Credit: iStock i

Supporting Principals in the Science of Reading

State boards of education can deepen the impact of their literacy initiatives by ensuring that principals are equipped to implement schoolwide instructional changes.
Portrait of cute little girl walk on a rope bridge in an adventure rope park. i

Transitions

State policymakers have a role in ensuring that schools work together to prepare students to transition well.

Upcoming Events

From the States