Class of 2022 – How to apply
(Instructions for the Class of 2023 will be provided after the Class of 2022 has graduated.)
GROUP A - CURRENT SENIORS WHO TOOK AP LANGUAGE AND CULTURE EXAMS PRIOR TO THEIR SENIOR YEAR
If you are a current HCPSS senior who took a College Board AP Language and Culture Exam before your senior year but not before grade 8, you scored a 4 or a 5 on the exam, and you have met the English graduation requirement, you should NOT submit an application. The Office of World Languages received your exam score(s) when they were made available to HCPSS by the College Board (typically in July) and the Maryland State Department of Education. The Maryland Seal of Biliteracy was added to your transcript by the Office of World Languages in the fall of your senior year if you met the eligibility requirements. Your achievement will be acknowledged during the spring of your senior year during HCPSS graduation-related activities.
EXCEPTION (RARE): If you took a College Board AP Language and Culture Exam before your senior year but not before grade 8, and your scores were not reported to HCPSS, you SHOULD submit an application. This might apply to students who transferred into HCPSS from a school outside of HCPSS.
GROUP B - CURRENT SENIORS WHO WILL TAKE AP LANGUAGE AND CULTURE EXAMS DURING THEIR SENIOR YEAR
If you are a current HCPSS senior who will take a College Board AP Language and Culture Exam in the spring of your senior year, you should not submit an application. The Office of World Languages will receive your exam score(s) when they are made available to HCPSS by the College Board (typically in July) and the Maryland State Department of Education. The Maryland Seal of Biliteracy will be added to your transcript by the Office of World Languages if you meet the eligibility requirements.
GROUP C - CURRENT SENIORS WHO HAVE A QUALIFYING LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY ASSESSMENT SCORE
OTHER THAN AN AP LANGUAGE AND CULTURE EXAM SCORE
If you are a current HCPSS senior who has a qualifying language proficiency assessment score other than a College Board AP Language and Culture Exam score, you are in the right place! Please use this online application form to apply to have a Maryland Seal of Biliteracy affixed to your official Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) transcript. Applications are processed by the Office of World Languages on a rolling basis but must be received no later than March 15 for acknowledgment during the spring of your senior year during HCPSS graduation-related activities.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS IS A TWO-STEP PROCESS
Step 1. Complete the online application form by March 15 of your senior year.
Step 2. Submit your language proficiency assessment score report(s) by March 1 of your senior year.
COMPLETE THE TWO-STEP PROCESS FOR EACH SEAL REQUESTED
When seeking the Maryland Seal of Biliteracy with qualifying language proficiency assessment scores other than College Board AP Language and Culture Exam scores, complete the application process for each Maryland Seal of Biliteracy for which you are applying. For example, if you qualify for Maryland Seals of Biliteracy in (1.) Tamil and English and (2.) Hindi and English, you would complete the application process twice. Your first application would be for your Maryland Seal of Biliteracy in Tamil and English, and your second application would be for your Maryland Seal of Biliteracy in Hindi and English (or vice-versa).
Please fill out the application form here.
Please direct questions to Mrs. Kimberly Banks, HCPSS Coordinator of World Languages,
at Kimberly_Banks@hcpss.org and/or our school’s SoBL Point of Contact Mrs. Hui Liang at hui_liang@hcpss.org