Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The office of superintendent of public instruction (OSPI) is considering rule making concerning the seal of biliteracy (the seal) to establish multiple levels of the seal. Currently, the proficiency level to earn the seal is American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages intermediate mid [level]. With dual language education programs producing students with higher levels of proficiency, a multi-level seal can encourage students to continue with language learning beyond the intermediate mid level. A multi-level seal may encourage students to take additional languages after the requirements for the first language are met. Offering multiple levels of the seal would put Washington on par with other states that offer multi-level seal programs.

Process for Developing New Rule: Early solicitation of feedback and recommendations respecting new or amended rules, and consideration of the comments and recommendations in the course of drafting rules.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Veronica Trapani, OSPI, P.O. Box 47200, Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-819-0950, TTY 360-664-3631, email veronica.trapani@k12.wa.us, website k12.wa.us.