State Seal of Bilingualism-Biliteracy (SSBB) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Students can earn the SSBB for any language, as long as they earn a New Mexico diploma of excellence and fulfill the requirements of one or more of the four SSBB pathway options.

• Certification by an individual tribe/nation
• Units of credit [coursework] and an approved assessment
• Units of credit [coursework] and an alternative process portfolio
• Approved assessment and an alternative process portfolio

First, ask a language teacher or guidance counselor if your district or charter school has adopted the SSBB (the State Seal can only be awarded to graduating seniors when the school board or charter governance council has adopted the SSBB). If your district or charter school has already adopted the SSBB, there should be a coordinator (often a language teacher or language program coordinator) who oversees the program and can answer your specific questions. You are also warmly invited to reach out to Language and Culture Division staff with any questions.

To be eligible for the SSBB, coursework in the language other than English must be taught by a high school teacher who is licensed and endorsed in the content area(s). Students must earn four credits with no grades lower than a C to meet SSBB requirements.

Please see pp. 12-14 of the SSBB Technical Assistance Manual available on the SSBB page of the Language and Culture Division website for detailed information about approved assessments. The addition of assessments not mentioned there will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Note: The New Mexico PED has a contract with Avant Assessment and will pay for up to two assessments per student during 11th and/or 12th grade.

No, only NM public school students are eligible for the SSBB. The state law only governs public schools. Private school students are encouraged to pursue the Global Seal of Biliteracy. Private school boards of education may also consider adopting their own policy that is modeled after the SSBB.

The alternative process portfolio (APP) is an equitable option that expands access for students to earn the SSBB. The APP consists of:

• A presentation
• An interview with a panel composed of three or more members of the school’s education staff or community members who are proficient in the language other than English. (Note: family members of the student may not participate in the student’s APP panel.)
• A student-produced work sample, written when appropriate (Note: in the case of world languages that do not utilize writing, school personnel would adjust accordingly.)

No, middle school credits do NOT count toward the SSBB coursework requirement for options 2 and 3. Previously, middle school course credits could satisfy SSBB requirements if the courses were taught by a teacher who was certified to teach the language and licensed to teach high school courses. This changed in 2024 with an amendment to Section 22-13-1.1 NMSA 1978 Graduation Requirements—Next Step Plans (House Bill 171 2024 Regular Session), which specifies that only “units earned in health, algebra 1 and geometry prior to enrolling in high school shall satisfy unit requirements required to earn a New Mexico diploma of excellence.”

Yes – the SSBB is affixed to New Mexico diplomas of excellence and awarded at graduation.

No – the NM PED will pay for up to two Avant assessments per SSBB candidate in grades 11 and/or 12 (one per year). Students who wish to take additional practice exams, take non-Avant tests, or test before 11th grade will have to pay for their own exam or work with their school to arrange payment.

Yes – students may get the SSBB in any language other than English for which they meet the requirements.

Districts and charter schools that are interested in adopting the SSBB are encouraged to reach out to the NM PED Language and Culture Division. The process is simple and a one-time event that does not need to be renewed annually.

No – there are four pathway options to the SSBB to make earning the State Seal as easy and accessible as possible.

• If you are already studying the language, your coursework will count toward options 2 and 3. Then you only need to pass an approved assessment or present an alternative process portfolio.
• If you are already proficient in the language and are not taking coursework, you will only need to take an approved assessment (generally around 2-3 hours) and present an alternative process portfolio.
• Native American students should talk to their nation, pueblo, or tribe’s education department for details on their community’s language proficiency certification process.

• Greater job opportunities in both public and private sectors
• Improved learning outcomes in non-language subjects
• Increased occupational status and earning potential
• Comparable-to-higher academic achievement in higher education
• Cognitive flexibility and increased ability to focus
• Decreased age-related cognitive decline
• Increased global awareness and empathy, reduced discrimination

(Source: Office of English Language Acquisition)