Dear OWLA Colleagues,
Please see the message below from the Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA) at the University of Minnesota announcing a free online professional learning session next Wednesday, Nov. 12, focused on state seals of
biliteracy. Additionally, there is information about an upcoming seal of biliteracy workshop on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, for which a nominal registration fee is being charged. Use the links below to register for these events, and please direct any questions
to the folks at CARLA.
Many regards,
Ryan T. Wertz, M.Ed.
Education Program Specialist for World Languages,
Global Education & the Ohio Seal of Biliteracy
Integrated Systems of Academic Supports Unit
25 South Front St., 5th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
Ryan....@education.ohio.gov
The State of Ohio is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider of ADA Services.
From: Karin Larson <lars...@umn.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, November 4, 2025 4:52 PM
Subject: Please Share: CARLA Professional Development: Focus on Seals of Biliteracy
Please share the following announcement about a free presentation next week on the Seals of Biliteracy with language teachers in your state.
The announcement also includes information about a low-cost workshop in February on preparing students for the Seals of Biliteracy assessment.
Thank you in advance for helping CARLA get the word out about these opportunities to your network of language teachers!
Karin Larson
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The Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA)
University of Minnesota
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 CARLA’s
Equity & Access to State Seals of Biliteracy initiative offers a wide range of practical resources
and professional development opportunities to support more equitable student access to and attainment of seals of biliteracy.
Sign up for a free
presentation offered this fall to explore new resources developed for the
National Seals Toolkit and the
MN Bilingual Seals Toolkit. In February, CARLA will also offer a low-cost
workshop that is specifically designed to provide teachers who are new to ACTFL standards with a deeper understanding of the ACTFL standards and proficiency levels that are used to officially assess Seals of Biliteracy
candidates. See details below and
online.
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CARLA INITIATIVE PRESENTATION
Seals of Biliteracy: New Tools to Support Equity and Access
 Wednesday,
November 12, 2025
12:00–1:00 p.m. (Central Time)
Online Via Zoom
FREE
State seals of biliteracy are awards to U.S. high school graduates who demonstrate high levels of proficiency in a language other than English. Seals are an important recognition and powerful step towards reframing multilingualism and multiliteracy as individual
and societal assets. Although seals are technically available to all U.S. high school graduates, access is biased toward students of widely taught languages residing in large or well resourced districts (King, 2022). This presentation provides an update on
CARLA’s
Equity and Access to State Seals of Biliteracy initiative. This talk showcases updates to our Minnesota and national toolkits to support and advocate for seals locally and nationally, including new languages, outreach
and promotional materials, and social media tools. Participants will be encouraged to interact with the site and provide additional feedback.
Presenters
Kendall A. King is a Professor of Multilingual Education in the Dept. of Curriculum and Instruction and Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Faculty Development in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota.
She is co-leader of CARLA’s
Equity and Access to State Seals of Biliteracy initiative.
Ayumi Stockman is the World Languages Education Specialist at the Minnesota Department of Education. She is co-leader of CARLA’s
Equity and Access to State Seals of Biliteracy initiative.
Andrew Fiegen is a Ph.D. student in the Multilingual Education program in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Minnesota.
Zijun Xie is a Ph.D. student in the Culture and Teaching program in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Minnesota.
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WORKSHOP FOR TEACHERS
Seals of Biliteracy: Preparing Students for Proficiency Assessments
 Saturday,
February 28, 2026
2:00–5:00 p.m. (Central Time)
Online Via Zoom
$30
This workshop aims to provide community-based, heritage language instructors or ESL teachers who are new to ACTFL standards with a deeper understanding of the ACTFL proficiency levels. Participants will analyze the language skills and knowledge needed by students
at each of these levels as well as how this proficiency is measured and assessed. The focus will be on growing deeper knowledge of what language proficiency is, how proficiency is assessed and measured, what is needed for students to earn a seal of biliteracy,
and how educators can help them to meet this goal.
Target Audience: This workshop is designed for teachers who are relatively new to ACTFL standards and proficiency levels that are used to officially assess Seals of Biliteracy
candidates. Heritage language teachers, community-based instructors and ESL teachers may find this especially beneficial. This workshop is not intended for world language teachers who have a deep understanding of ACTFL standards/proficiency levels.
After this workshop, participants will be able to:
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Describe the ACTFL proficiency levels;
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Identify and analyze student learner language at each of these levels;
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Critically evaluate and begin to develop pedagogical activities that promote proficiency at these levels; and
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Explain the levels of language proficiency needed to be eligible for the seal.
Instructors
Kendall A. King (University of Minnesota),
Ayumi Stockman (Minnesota Department of Education), and Andrew Fiegen (University of Minnesota). See bios above.
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CARLA Presentation Recording
Check out the
recording of this presentation!
 This
talk examines how institutions of higher education are responding with varied approaches to credit policies and explores the broader impact on college language programs. The presentation includes actionable recommendations for strengthening policy implementation
and improving outcomes for all multilingual students in higher education settings.
Presenter: Kristin Davin is a Professor of World Language Education at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
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More CARLA Online Presentations and Workshops
More Information
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