The Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy program is celebrating its 10-year anniversary, and District 202 high school students have been participating since the 2018-2019 school year.
Illinois was the third state in the nation to launch a Seal of Biliteracy in 2013. The first awards were given to 2015 graduates.
Five hundred and three seals were given out that first year, according to the Illinois State Board of Education. In 2025, 11,131 seals were awarded.
District 202 has also seen growth in its participation since the 2018-2019 school year, when it was launched.
Eleven students earned the seal in 2019, and 78 earned it in 2025.
The seal is a credential note on a student’s academic transcript and diploma, certifying that the graduate has earned a high level of proficiency in English and another language.
Illinois public universities also accept the seal as equivalent to two years of foreign language coursework.
Students statewide can earn the seal in 62 distinct languages. District 220 offers the seal in these languages: American Sign Language, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.
“The Seal of Biliteracy is a powerful credential that prepares students for both college and the workforce. In an ever-changing global economy, the ability to communicate in more than one language gives our graduates a competitive edge, whether they are entering higher education or the workforce,” said Cindy Castanon, Director of Multilingual Education.
“We are incredibly proud of our District 202 high school students for earning this distinction, which affirms that multilingualism is a skill employers and universities value.”
Students can qualify for this award any time between ninth and 12th grade, and it is awarded upon graduation.
Students can take the test in the fall or spring. The spring testing window is open until April 6.
Students must complete a Seal of Biliteracy Intent form online to register for the test.
For more information, please visit the District 202 Multilingual Education page on the website, and click on the “Seal of biliteracy” heading.
“Multilingualism is a powerful asset – one that prepares graduates to lead, collaborate, and problem-solve in an increasingly interconnected world. The program’s continued expansion shows that more students than ever are seizing the opportunities that multilingualism creates,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders.