Wauwatosa, WI — As of August 30, the Wauwatosa School District has secured approval from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to initiate the implementation of the Wisconsin Seal of Biliteracy (SBL) program.
The Wisconsin SBL offers a pathway for students to cultivate and attain recognition for their bilingualism, intercultural skills, and global competence. The Wisconsin DPI acknowledges the SBL as an industry-recognized certification. Graduating high school students who meet the program’s criteria of demonstrating advanced proficiency in bilingualism, biliteracy, and sociocultural competence across two or more languages are awarded digital certificates signed by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
The SBL program is in service of one component of the Wauwatosa School District’s Milestone Seven which articulates, in part, the goal of having 100% of seniors participate in advanced coursework prior to graduation.
“We are incredibly proud to implement the Wisconsin Seal of Biliteracy program for our students,” said Wauwatosa School District Superintendent Dr. Demond Means. “This opportunity for industry certification will further encourage students to pursue their interests through elective course offerings, and will empower students to build identity and agency. We hold strong confidence that the Wisconsin Seal of Biliteracy program will effectively equip our students for success in their postsecondary endeavors.”
SBL certification will be available for students to pursue during the 2023-24 school year. In implementing this program, the Wauwatosa School District intends to actively encourage and recruit students to strive for the SBL.
Ms. Anna Troy and Ms. Jessica Talavera-Klabunde, Spanish teachers at Wauwatosa East High School, led the application efforts for the program, with a focus on benefiting district students.
To learn more about the Wisconsin Seal of Biliteracy, please visit https://dpi.wi.gov/english-
About the Wauwatosa School District
The Wauwatosa School District is a high achieving, forward-thinking, richly diverse public school district serving approximately 7,100 students and families. The District consists of 16 schools: 11 elementary schools, two middle schools, two high schools and the Wauwatosa Virtual Academy. Among these are two choice schools: Wauwatosa Montessori and Wauwatosa STEM. A full STEM program is offered at Underwood Elementary and at both middle schools. Additionally, the District provides education for several county programs including Children’s Hospital and Vel R. Phillips School. The educational community’s long history of excellence has been recognized both regionally and nationally.
For more information, visit the Wauwatosa School District website, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram pages.
