Multilingual Learning-ELD
Division of Multilingual Learning and ELD Mission Statement
We believe that language is fundamental to the human experience. In an increasingly global and diverse society, learning other languages is an imperative part of every young person's development academically, socially and civically.
The mission of our division, then, is to facilitate students' acquisition of another language. We strive to develop their mastery of the four essential skills of communication – reading, writing, speaking and listening – while providing them the opportunity to explore and appreciate another culture's music, art, literature and history.
- About the Division
- Course Descriptions
- Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy
- MPAC
- Benchmark/Placement Testing
About the Division
About the Division
Contacts
Justin Fisk
Director of Multilingual Learning
Room 2434 | 847-415-4701 | jusfisk@d125.org
Dr. Alma Tamayo
Assistant Director of EL and Bilingual Supports
Room 2434 | 847-415-4745 | atamayo@d125.org
Sylvia Lima
Assistant to the Director
Room 2434 | 847-415-4700 | slima@d125.org
Vaideki Kannan
Division Assistant
Room 2434 | 847-415-4702 | vkannan@d125.org
Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
We will strive to provide students with a positive language learning experience with our commitment to the various facets of curriculum, instruction and assessment. We will continually incorporate the essential components of language acquisition- listening, reading, speaking, and writing-in a manner that both builds upon and strengthens the students’ skills throughout their language experience.
We will infuse a variety of learning opportunities that are aligned to specific and measurable learning targets and demonstrate best practices. Technology will complement our instruction both for its academic relevance and its crucial role in our ever-evolving digital world.
We will continue to develop and implement authentic communicative and cultural experiences and create an atmosphere that promotes social-emotional learning.
Equity and Access
We believe in providing all students the opportunity to experience a world language in an environment that nurtures and respects all learners as individuals.
As a division, we will hold students to high expectations and commit to providing the tools for all students to be successful regardless of individual learning needs, interests, and cultural differences.
Working within a Professional Learning Community (PLC)
As members of a professional learning community, we will constantly strive to collaborate and learn from one another while respecting the strengths and contributions of each team member.
Trust, respect, and open dialogue will be essential components of our collaborative environment as means to improve the quality of teaching and learning for all students.
Culture for Learning
We are passionate, invested, and accountable. We believe that a professional learning community should provide the opportunity for life-long learning through the creation of a safe and supportive environment in which all members are challenged with high but realistic expectations.
As teacher leaders at the forefront of our field, we will exemplify commitment to life-long learning and professional development.
Course Descriptions
Course Descriptions
French
- French 1 (FRE101/102)
- French 2 Accelerated (FRE211/212)
- French 3 Accelerated (FRE311/312)
- AP French (FRE601/602)
German
- German 1 (GRE101/102)
- German 2 Accelerated (GRE211/212)
- German 3 Accelerated (GRE311/312)
- AP German (GRE601/602)
Hebrew
- Hebrew 1 (HBR101/102)
- Hebrew 2 Accelerated (HBR211/212)
- Hebrew 3 Accelerated (HBR 311/HBR 312)
- Hebrew 4 Accelerated (HBR411/412)
Latin
- Latin 1 (LAT101/102)
- Latin 2 (LAT211/212)
- Latin 3/4 (LAT311/312)
- AP Latin Vergil Honors (LAT621/622)
Mandarin Chinese
- Chinese 1 (CHI101/102)
- Chinese 2 Accelerated (CHI211/212)
- Chinese 3 Accelerated (CHI311/312)
- Chinese 4 Accelerated (CHI411/412)
- Intermediate Mandarin Language Arts (CHI351/352)
- AP Chinese (CH601/602)
- Chinese Literature, Media and Culture (Honors) (CHI611/612)
Spanish
- Spanish 1 (SPA101/102)
- Spanish 2 (SPA201/202)
- Spanish 2 Accelerated (SPA211/212)
- Spanish 3 (SPA301/302)
- Spanish 3/4 Accelerated (SPA311/312)
- Intermediate Spanish Language Arts (SPA351/352)
- Spanish 4 (SPA401/402)
- Spanish 5 Honors: AP Spanish Language and Culture (SPA601/602)
- Advanced Spanish Conversation and Culture (SPA511/512)
- Spanish 6 Honors: AP Spanish Literature and Culture (SPA611/612)
ELD Courses
- Beginning Language Arts (ELL161/162)
- Intermediate Language Arts (ELL261/262)
- ELL Advanced Language (ELL361/362)
- Multilingual Advanced Literature (ELL371)
- World Contemporary Literature (ELL461/462)
- Current Events (ELL561/562)
- ELL World History (ELL761/762)
- ELL U.S. History (ELL861/862)
For course descriptions from all academic divisions, visit the Course Selection page.
Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy
Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy
Stevenson High School is proud to offer current Juniors and Seniors the opportunity to earn the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy — a distinction awarded by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to recognize students who meet state-approved proficiency levels in both English and at least one other language.
Students who demonstrate strong proficiency in both English and another language but do not yet meet the full Seal requirements may earn the Illinois State Commendation Toward Biliteracy, which recognizes progress toward biliteracy and is also noted on the student’s transcript.
The Seal is officially awarded at graduation and is noted on students’ transcripts and diplomas, serving as a valuable credential for college admissions, scholarships, and future employment. Under the Illinois School Code, students who earn the Seal automatically receive college credit at all Illinois public universities, and an increasing number of colleges nationwide are recognizing it. Students must still apply directly to their chosen school to receive credit.
Languages, Exams & Costs Offered at Stevenson
The chart below shows the languages currently offered at Stevenson and the assessments used. Availability and pricing may change year to year.
| Languages Available | Assessment Type | Testing Domains / Format | Min. Score for Seal | Min. Score for Commendation | Cost of Complete Exam | Retake Individual Domain? |
| Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish | AAPPL (Form B) |
Digital: Speaking, Writing, Reading, Listening | I5 Intermediate High | I1 Intermediate Low | $22.50 | Y |
| Latin | ALIRA | Digital: Reading | I5 Intermediate High | I1 Intermediate Low | $11.00 | Y |
| Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish | AP Language & Culture Exam | Digital: Speaking, Writing, Reading, Listening | 4 | 3 | $129.00 via College Board website | |
| Hindi, Polish, Russian | STAMP 4S Exam | Digital: Speaking, Writing, Reading, Listening | 6 | 4 | $24.90 | N |
| Hebrew | STAMP 4S Exam | Paper: Writing Digital: Speaking, Writing, Reading, Listening |
6 | 4 | $64.90 | N |
| Bengali, Kannada, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian | STAMP 4W Exam | Paper: Writing Digital: Speaking |
6 | 4 | $39.90 | N |
| Bulgarian, Mongolian | ALTA - Tier 1 | Digital: Speaking, Writing, Reading, Listening | 1+ | 1 | $176.00 | Y |
| Gujarati, Turkmen | ALTA - Tier 2 | Digital: Speaking, Writing, Reading, Listening | 1+ | 1 | $203.00 | Y |
Don't See Your Language Listed?
The languages shown reflect those most commonly requested at Stevenson. In some cases, additional languages may be available even if they are not listed here.
Families are encouraged to contact the Biliteracy Testing Team at biliteracy@d125.org to inquire about availability.
Cost & Registration at a Glance
- Exam costs vary by language and assessment
- Stevenson does not charge a school processing fee
- Registration is required and space is limited
- Spring 2026 Exam Date: Saturday, March 14
- Registration Opens: Feb. 16, 2026
- Registration Closes: March 6, 2026 (or once full)
For full pricing, retake policy and exam formats, see the Exam Detail document.
- What is the Seal of Biliteracy?
- Languages & Exams Offered at Stevenson
- Exam Dates & Registration (Spring 2026)
- Costs
- Retake Policy & Important Testing Rules
- English Proficiency Requirement
- How to Qualify
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Contact Us
What is the Seal of Biliteracy?
The Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy is an official recognition for students who demonstrate a high level of proficiency in English and in a language other than English.
- Available to Juniors and Seniors at Stevenson.
- Officially awarded at graduation
- Noted on both the transcript and diploma
- Guarantees college credit at all Illinois public universities.
Graduation Recognition
Students who earn the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy will receive a Seal of Biliteracy medal prior to graduation, which may be worn during the commencement ceremony.
The medal is awarded only to students who earn the Seal of Biliteracy.
Languages & Exams Offered at Stevenson
Stevenson High School administers several Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)–approved assessments that allow students to demonstrate proficiency in a Language Other Than English (LOTE) for the Seal of Biliteracy or Commendation Toward Biliteracy.
Because no single exam offers every language, availability depends on the exam vendor and assessment type. As a result:
- Stevenson offers testing in many—but not all—ISBE-approved languages
- Available languages vary by assessment and vendor
- Language availability and exam costs may change from year to year based on vendor offerings and student demand
If you do not see your language listed on the infographic above or have questions about testing options, please contact biliteracy@d125.org.
Exam Dates & Registration (Spring 2026)
Stevenson offers Juniors and Seniors the opportunity to participate in Biliteracy testing during designated exam windows. Registration is required, and space is limited.
Spring 2026 Biliteracy Exam
- Exam Date: Saturday, March 14, 2026
- Registration Opens: Monday, February 16, 2026
- Registration Closes: Friday, March 6, 2026, at noon (or once all 80 seats are filled)
- Exam Time: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Testing begins and ends on time.
Important Registration Information:
- Seating is limited to the first 80 students who complete registration and payment.
- Once registration closes, links will not be reopened.
Cancellation Policy:
- Cancellation requests must be emailed to biliteracy@d125.org
- Requests must be received by Friday, March 6, 2026, at 12 p.m. to receive a full refund
For details about languages offered, exam formats, costs, retake policies, and test-day expectations, please refer to the Exam Detail document and the Biliteracy FAQ.
Costs
Exam fees vary by assessment type and language. Stevenson does not charge a school processing fee at this time.
Important Notes:
- Exam costs are set by the testing vendors
- A $2.00 Omella credit card processing fee is added to the exam price upon checkout
- Retake costs vary by exam and domain
A complete breakdown of exam pricing and retake fees is included in the Exam Detail document.
Retake Policy & Important Testing Rules
Retake Policy at a Glance
- Wait Period: Students must wait 90 days before retesting in the same language.
- Individual Domain Retakes:
- Yes (Y): Only the domains where proficiency wasn't met can be taken.
- No (N): Student must retake the entire exam to try again.
- Students may not retest within 90 days of a prior attempt.
Retesting Costs
| Exam | Domain | Cost |
| AAPPL | Speaking | $11.00 |
| Writing | $6.00 | |
| Reading or Listening | $5.50 | |
| ALTA Tier 1 | Speaking/Listening | $58.00 |
| Writing | $69.00 | |
| Reading | $35.00 | |
| ALTA Tier 2 | Speaking/Listening | $80.00 |
| Writing | $80.00 | |
| Reading | $40.00 |
For detailed retake costs and exam-specific rules, please refer to the Exam Detail document.
English Proficiency Requirement
To earn the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy or the Commendation Toward Biliteracy, students must also demonstrate proficiency in English using an Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)–approved assessment.
ISBE Approved Methods: English Language Proficiency
| Approved Methods for Demonstrating English Proficiency | Minimum Score to Qualify for Seal | Minimum Score to Qualify for Commendation |
| ACCESS FOR ELLs | 4.8 overall | 3.5 literacy |
| ACT + Writing | ELA subject area (18) Note: The ACT + Writing exam must be taken |
|
| SAT | 480 Evidence-Based Reading and Writing portion |
|
| AAPPL English for ESLs Exam | I5 | I1 |
Please note:
- Required scores vary by exam
- Only scores earned during high school are eligible
- Detailed score explanations are available in the Biliteracy FAQ.
How to Qualify
To qualify for the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy or the Commendation Toward Biliteracy, students must:
- Be a current Junior or Senior at Stevenson
- Complete ISBE-approved assessments in both:
- English, and
- A Language Other Than English (LOTE)
- Earn the required qualifying scores on each assessment
Additional important notes:
- All assessments must be completed during high school (Placement, benchmark, or middle school scores do not count).
- If a student takes the same assessment more than once, the highest score is used.
- Students may earn the Seal or Commendation in more than one language.
- Awards are officially granted at graduation, but transcripts are updated once eligibility is confirmed.
Specific score requirements by exam are listed in the Biliteracy FAQ.
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve created a comprehensive Biliteracy FAQ to answer common questions from students and families, including:
- What scores are needed to qualify for the Seal or Commendation
- Which languages are offered and through which exams
- Retake rules and timelines
- How results are reported and when awards become official
- Whether college credit is awarded
- Tips & Resources
Please review the Biliteracy FAQ for detailed information and explanations.
Contact Us
Have questions about eligibility, exams, registration, or next steps? We’re here to help! Contact our team at biliteracy@d125.org.
We encourage families and students to review the Biliteracy FAQ and Exam Detail document first, and then reach out if they need additional assistance.
MPAC
For more information, please visit the Multilingual Parent Advisory Committee (MPAC) group page.
Benchmark/Placement Testing
Benchmark/Placement Testing
World Language Placement Exam
Date: Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: Saturday, Feb. 7, 2025
*For current Stevenson students attending during the 2025-26 school year, and incoming students starting at Stevenson in Fall 2026.
The language placement exam is required for students with prior language coursework or experience, including heritage and native speakers, who plan to take a language course during the 2026–2027 school year or who are beginning a language course in Semester 2 of the 2025–2026 school year.
Languages offered: Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Latin, and Spanish.
The placement exam helps ensure students are enrolled in the most appropriate course level.
For detailed test information, including location, format, Testing Policies, What to Bring, Arrival & Departure process, Placement Result Notifications, and more, visit the Multilingual Learning Placement FAQ resource.
For additional questions, email benchmark@d125.org.