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The Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy recognizes high school students who show proficiency in English and at the Intermediate Mid level in another language. It is run by two teacher associations, the Arkansas Foreign Language Teachers Association (AFLTA) and Arkansas TESOL (ARKTESOL), and “In June 2018, the Arkansas State Board of Education officially endorsed the Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy.” Unlike most states, students apply themselves, in two seasons a year. By spring 2026, 9,561 students from 136 high schools had earned it in 55 languages. This guide covers the requirements, the tests and scores, the application and the deadlines.
Table of contents
What the Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy Is
Quick answer: the Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy is awarded to students who submit official English evidence from grades 9-12 and an Intermediate Mid average score in another language on an accepted test. The detailed rules are published by the AFLTA and ARKTESOL committee in its Educator’s Guide (updated January 2026), not in a state statute.
Key Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Run by | AFLTA and ARKTESOL; endorsed by the State Board of Education in June 2018 |
| English | Official scores from grades 9-12: ACT, ACT Aspire, ATLAS, PSAT, SAT, AP English or ELPA21 |
| World language level | Intermediate Mid, as an average composite score |
| Who applies | The student, through an online form |
| Seasons | Spring (March/April) and fall; the Fall 2026 deadline is Friday, November 6 |
| Results | 7 to 10 business days; certificates emailed to teachers |
| Totals | 9,561 students, 136 high schools, 55 languages (spring 2026) |
The English Requirement
Students show English with an official score report from grades 9-12, one of:
- ACT: “19 in both English and Reading”
- ACT Aspire ELA: 426 (grade 9) or 428 (grade 10)
- ATLAS Summative ELA: Performance Level 3
- PSAT/NMSQT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 410, 430 or 460 (grades 9, 10, 11)
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 510
- AP English: 3
- ELPA21 Summative or Screener: “Overall Proficient”
The ELPA21 route is the English learner route, with one limit: a student who “exited the ELL program or scored proficient on the ELPA prior to grade 9, must choose another assessment.”
The World Language Requirement and Accepted Tests
| Assessment | Minimum |
|---|---|
| AAPPL Form B, ALIRA, OPI and WPT | “Average composite score of I-4 (Intermediate Mid)” |
| STAMP (4S, WS, ASL, Latin, Monolingual, SuperLanguage) | Average of 5.0; all four domains must be assessed |
| AP Language or Literature | 3 |
| IB Language B (SL or HL) | 4 |
| ALTA | ILR 1+ on both tests |
| ASLPI | 3 |
| Goethe B1; HSK Level 2 | 60 points; 120 points |
Arkansas measures the level as an average across domains, not a minimum in each: a strong reading score can offset a weaker one elsewhere. But on STAMP, “any domain with a score of 0 will result in disqualification,” so every domain must be attempted. There is no coursework or portfolio route. How these rules compare with other states is in Seal of Biliteracy test.
How to Apply
- Collect official score reports for English and for the other language.
- Apply online through the committee’s form during a season; a Gmail address is required.
- Meet the deadline: “No late submissions are accepted.” Fall 2026 closes at midnight on Friday, November 6.
- Receive the result in 7 to 10 business days; the certificate is emailed to the teacher.
Schools record the seal in eSchool. In the state’s Success-Ready Pathways, the seal counts toward a Diploma with Merit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy requirements?
Official English evidence from grades 9-12 (for example ACT 19 in English and Reading, or ELPA21 Overall Proficient) and an Intermediate Mid average on an accepted world language test.
What AAPPL or STAMP score does Arkansas require?
An average composite of I-4 on AAPPL, or an average of 5.0 on STAMP with all four domains assessed.
When is the Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy deadline?
There are spring and fall seasons. The Fall 2026 deadline is midnight on Friday, November 6, and late submissions are not accepted.
Can English learners earn the Arkansas seal?
Yes. ELPA21 Overall Proficient meets the English requirement, unless the student exited or scored proficient before grade 9.
Who awards the Arkansas seal?
AFLTA and ARKTESOL, with the State Board of Education’s endorsement since June 2018.
Related Resources
- Seal of Biliteracy Test
- Missouri Seal of Biliteracy
- Texas Seal of Biliteracy
- How to Get the Seal of Biliteracy
- Seal of Biliteracy by State
Conclusion
Arkansas runs its seal differently from most states: teacher associations administer it, students apply themselves, and the language level is an average across domains. The practical consequences are deadlines that do not move, official score reports that must be in hand, and an English learner route through ELPA21 that districts should make sure students know about.
Sources: Arkansas DESE, Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy; Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy committee and its Educator’s Guide (January 2026); ADE, Success-Ready Pathways Guide. Verified September 28, 2026.
The Average Hides the Weakest Domain, Until It Does Not
An average composite is forgiving, but not unlimited: a student far below the bar in speaking pulls the average down with them. Speaking is usually that domain for students who learned the language in class, because a class of twenty-five leaves each student a few minutes of conversation a day.
Some schools add speaking practice that does not depend on class time. Telo AI is one example: short conversation sessions in English, Spanish or French that adapt to each student’s level and ask follow-up questions instead of accepting one-word answers. See how that works across a school year.
The application takes minutes. The average it reports took years.
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