A roadmap for enhancing students' equitable access to biliteracy development
Monolingual ideologies have driven US educational policy for centuries. Despite the benefits of multilingualism, policies have often prioritized English and reduced children's access to their home languages. The "Seal of Biliteracy" is a language education policy that recognizes students' proficiency in two languages as a mechanism for nurturing students' bilingualism and growing the United States' multilingual capacity. Since its inception, the Seal of Biliteracy has become a national program that has been extended into elementary and middle schools as pathway awards—benchmarks signaling that younger students are on the pathway to receiving the Seal of Biliteracy.
Pathways to the Seal of Biliteracy provides foundational understandings, practical examples, and key levers necessary to help parents, educators, and policymakers understand and implement pathways to biliteracy in schools. Situating the program within broader bilingual, heritage, and world language education systems, Amy J. Heineke and Kristin J. Davin explain the history of bilingualism and language policy in US education, and they outline an accessible and equitable approach to developing successful pathway programs.
Pathways to the Seal of Biliteracy will be an invaluable tool for educators, stakeholders, and policymakers looking to nurture multilingualism, advance language programming, and help students achieve the Seal of Biliteracy.
Reviews
"Heineke and Davin address a critical gap in the literature by offering practical guidance for developing systems that support pathway recognition for the Seal of Biliteracy at the elementary and middle school levels. What distinguishes their book is the fact that their recommendations are firmly grounded in empirical research conducted across diverse school districts in various regions of the United States. This is an excellent and much needed resource for all schools and districts."—Sonia Soltero, professor and chair, Department of Leadership, Language & Curriculum, College of Education, DePaul University
"I read this book in one sitting! The authors celebrate three inspirational SoBL programs re-envisioning language education to promote multilingualism—weaving together the stories of district, school, and teacher leaders as they navigate ideology, policy, and the realities of implementation. They provide an inspirational road map for all educators."—Robin Harvey, clinical associate professor, New York University
"With the Seal of Biliteracy now officially adopted in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, this book is important and timely! Practical advice grounded in detailed case studies of elementary and middle school pathway programs will help educators navigate the challenges of creating equitable pathways for all learners."—Wayne E. Wright, professor and Barbara I. Cook Chair of Literacy and Language, Purdue University
"Essential for language program leaders, this book navigates the intricacies of the Seal of Biliteracy. It offers a compelling analysis of policy dynamics, serving as a critical resource for multilingual advocacy and equipping future dual and world language leaders in the design and implementation of their programs."—Alejandro Pérez Belda, PK–12 teacher preparation program coordinator and assistant clinical professor, University of Maryland, College Park
"Pathways to the Seal of Biliteracy opens up a whole new set of possibilities for building a state, district, or school policy and program to uplift and implement biliteracy recognition awards from pre-K to 12th grade. Grounded in equity and research, this book challenges all 50 states to think deeper and wider."—Shelly Spiegel-Coleman, strategic advisor, Californians Together
About the Author
Amy J. Heineke, PhD, is a professor of multilingual teaching and learning in the School of Education at Loyola University Chicago.
Kristin J. Davin, PhD, is a professor of foreign language education in the Cato College of Education at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
