Chicago Public Schools Celebrates Seal of Biliteracy Achievements and Expands Dual Language and World Language Programs

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CHICAGO - Chicago Public Schools (CPS) celebrated the achievements of more than 3,100 students from the Class of 2026 who earned the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy and announced the expansion of Dual Language and World Language programs to six additional schools. The District highlighted significant growth in multilingual pathways, introducing new language offerings and increasing access for students throughout Chicago.

"Multilingualism, biliteracy, and intercultural flexibility are key contributors to students' college and career success," said Interim Superintendent/CEO Dr. Macquline King. "The expansion of these critical programs highlights the District's commitment to providing students with a well-rounded and high-quality education preparing students for success in college, careers and civic life."

This year marked several firsts, with students earning Seals in languages such as Cebuano, Macedonian, Malay, Punjabi, Tamil, and Telugu. Notably, 61 students achieved the Seal in two languages, and four earned it in three. To qualify, seniors must meet the proficiency criteria set by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), and CPS continues expanding support for students in a wider variety of languages.

THE BIG FIVE
Spanish (2814)
Mandarin (93)
Polish (68)
French (41)
Ukrainian (31)

Seal of Biliteracy Awards
The Illinois State Board of Education awards the State Seal of Biliteracy to high school seniors who demonstrate proficiency in English and one or more additional languages. This recognition appears on diplomas and benefits recipients in college admissions and future employment. Recipients include English learners, former English learners, and students not identified as English learners.

THE 100+ CLUB
Lane Tech HS (273)
Solorio HS (149)
Back of the Yards HS (133)
Curie HS (130)
Hancock HS (121)
Young HS (114)
Taft HS (112)
Jones HS (104)

In SY 2026, approximately 87 high schools had at least one award recipient, with English learners comprising 17 percent of recipients, up from 13 percent in the previous year. Approximately 2,100 students nearing qualification were awarded the State Commendation Toward Biliteracy, a distinction recognizing significant progress toward multilingual proficiency.

CPS also recognizes fifth and eighth graders advancing toward bilingualism and biliteracy through the CPS Pathway to Biliteracy Award. Introduced in SY 2021-22, this award aims to honor students enrolled in Bilingual, Dual Language, or World Language programs. By SY 2025-26, around 4,100 fifth graders and over 3,300 eighth graders will receive the award, with the number of participating schools increasing from 206 to 227.

Spanish accounted for nearly 96 percent of the Pathway to Biliteracy awards, with recognition in 25 languages, up from 15 the previous year. Awardees included 63 percent English learners, 1.5 percent former English learners, and 21 percent who were never classified as English learners.

Multilingual Pathway Expansion
During the celebrations, CPS announced an expansion of its Dual Language Education (DLE) and World Language Education (WLE) programs, which aligns with the District's vision and goals. This expansion includes the addition of three new DLE programs (in Spanish/English) and three new WLE programs (two in Spanish and one in Mandarin), as part of a planned four-year commitment to enhancing bilingual and biliterate education. The new schools will join more than 254 CPS' schools s that offer WLE and 46 DLE programs, further demonstrating the District's dedication to multilingualism through integrated instruction in both native and second languages.

"As the expansion of these programs moves into the second year we see countless benefits, including the e opportunity to strengthen students' cognitive capacity," said Chief Education Officer Dr. Karime Asaf. "Understanding different cultures enables students to navigate and excel in diverse environments."

The expansion, grounded in teaching data and recent agreements with the Chicago Teachers Union, addresses community needs and enhances access to quality programming. Selected schools will receive targeted investments and comprehensive support during a multi-year incubation phase to ensure sustainability and success.

Dual Language Education
Dual Language Education (DLE) Programs typically begin in preschool or kindergarten and continuing through eighth grade, aim to develop bilingualism and biliteracy in English and a partner language, such as Spanish. Instruction in both languages across various subjects helps students build language skills and achieve high academic performance. The program also promotes sociocultural competence, equity, and inclusion while valuing students' home languages and cultures.

NEW DUAL LANGUAGE SCHOOLS
Albany Park Multicultural Academy
Luther Burbank Elementary School
Irene C. Hernández Middle School

These programs provide core instruction such as language arts, math, science, and social science in a partner language, with the goal of developing bilingualism and biliteracy in both Spanish and English. In addition to core academic content, English Learners enrolled in DLE programs receive targeted English Language Development instruction. Similarly, native English-speaking students receive language development instruction in the partner language, such as Spanish Language Development, to build proficiency and support balanced language growth. During the 2026-2027 school year, CPS will expand its Dual Language Program to include 46 elementary schools, three high schools, and three charter schools, an increase of three elementary schools from the 2024-2025 school year.

World Language Education (WLE)
NEW WORLD LANGUAGE PROGRAMS
William H. Ray Elementary School
Beulah Shoesmith Elementary School
John A. Walsh Elementary School

World Language Education (WLE) is designed to equip students with the linguistic proficiency and cultural literacy essential for success in an interconnected global economy. Serving more than 100,000 students across 254 schools-154 elementary and middle schools and 100 high schools-the program offers a diverse portfolio of languages, including American Sign Language, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Polish, and Spanish. Instruction is built upon the 5 Cs of language learning: Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities. By integrating these core pillars, students do not just memorize vocabulary; they develop the ability to investigate the world, recognize diverse perspectives, and communicate across cultures. This approach allows students to make connections to other academic disciplines and draw comparisons between their own language and culture and the one they are studying. These programs help students develop the "Global Competence" necessary to navigate diverse environments. Beyond functional communication, world language studies enhance cognitive development and academic achievement across all disciplines, providing students with a marked advantage in college admissions and a wide array of career pathways.

As part of the five-year strategic plan, "Together We Rise," the Multilingual Pathways Expansion (MPE) addresses the diverse needs of students. Schools expressed interest in offering DLE or WLE programs, leading to a comprehensive evaluation by the Office of Multilingual and Multicultural Education (OMME). Community engagement, through meetings and surveys, significantly shaped the expansion, with schools submitting proposals outlining their plans and resource needs.