Global Education Recognitions

Focus

A main focus or goal of the State Board of Education's Task Force report, "Preparing Students for the World" (January 2013) was to establish criteria for Global Education designations that would recognize the work of individuals and organizations.

There are now designations that can be earned by students graduating from high school and educators implementing global education in various learning environments. There are also designations for K-12 public schools and districts that recognize significant focus and dedication to global education.

For details about how to earn each recognition, please click on the links below.

Tab/Accordion Item

Students can earn the Global Languages Endorsement (GLE), one of five High School Diploma Endorsements available to graduates. The purpose is to provide a way for students to show their multiliteracy in English and at least one World Language. Students may add as many World Languages for which they qualify to a GLE on their diploma.

The GLE, North Carolina's Seal of Biliteracy, has been available since the Class of 2015. Details about earning this recognition are posted below.

Questions about the Global Languages Endorsement, NC's Seal of Biliteracy, can be emailed to the NCDPI Global Education Steering Committee at ncglobaleducation@dpi.nc.gov

Policy Requirements

English

Meet High School English Language Arts requirements by earning an unweighted 2.5 GPA or higher in the required 4 English courses.

Note: English Learners (ELs) complete the English Language Arts courses requirement above and also reach "Developing" (Level 3) proficiency per the proficiency scale in all 4 domains on the most recent state-identified English language proficiency test.

World Languages

Establish Intermediate Low proficiency or higher in a World Language using ONE of the options described below for each language added.

  • Complete 4 levels of the same language with an unweighted 2.5 GPA or higher
    Note: The automated process in PowerSchool will search for a Level IV World Language course (or higher) to meet this requirement.
  • Take an exam on the NCDPI approved external assessment list and achieve a minimum language proficiency score of Intermediate Low (IL) or higher
  • Use the Credit by Demonstrated Mastery (CDM) Policy to establish Intermediate Low (IL) proficiency or higher

Additional Notes & Information

North Carolina's Seal of Biliteracy, the GLE, is now automated in PowerSchool and the qualifying World Language(s) and proficiency level(s) will appear on the student transcript.

For the World Language(s) of a GLE, the minimum proficiency level is Intermediate Low.

  • If a student meets the World Language requirement through course completion, Intermediate Low proficiency will be posted on the transcript.
  • If a student meets the World Language requirement through the exam or CDM option at the Intermediate Low level or a higher level of proficiency (ex. Intermediate Low, Intermediate Mid, Intermediate High, Advanced Low, Advanced Mid, etc.), the proficiency level obtained will be posted on the transcript.

The school or district must enter qualifying scores from the NCDPI approved external assessments taken by students and their corresponding proficiency levels or enter the proficiency level code for the GLE from the World Language Course Codes for CDM manually in PowerSchool so that these artifacts can be located in the automated identification logic.

The Global Languages Endorsement User Guide provides information on the requirements and how PowerSchool will automatically identify qualifying students. Information is also provided on where one can check in PowerSchool for students in a school that may be qualifying for any of the High School Diploma Endorsements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Global Languages Endorsement (GLE)

GLE Data, 2015 - Present

So far, the Global Languages Endorsement (GLE), North Carolina's Seal of Biliteracy has recognized graduates with proficiency in over a dozen World Languages, including: American Sign Language (ASL), Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Persian, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, and Ukrainian.

Details for each graduating class, 2015 - present, are available by clicking on these spreadsheets:

Feel free to download a copy of the View Only spreadsheets for your own analysis.

If you have questions about your school's or district's results, please use the statewide directories on the World Languages Networking page to contact your public school unit's K-12 World Language Coordinator(s).

Webinars are done annually when the GLE data is released for each graduating class. Please use the links below to register for future broadcasts or access the archives from past broadcasts and/or professional learning.

  • Class of 2021 GLE Results & Impact Webinar - Broadcast on February 22, 2022
    Presentation slides in PDF | Recording on NCDPI YouTube channel with closed captioning
    This webinar focused on the results from the Class of 2021 and explored the most recent data, along with an overview of the impact that this diploma endorsement has on student recognition and future success. Guest speakers discussed the Seal of Biliteracy from different perspectives, such as local implementation and educational initiatives, as well as national research and post-secondary implications.

  • CAST for World Languages self-paced Canvas Course
    The Counselor Advising and Scheduling Tips (CAST) for World Languages mini-course is designed to guide school counselors and other course advisors in understanding North Carolina World Language programs, course codes, options, best practices, resources, etc., so that these educators can be best equipped to advise students on what courses to take to align with their future aspirations, including earning the Global Languages Endorsement (GLE), NC's Seal of Biliteracy. 

    • If you are a K-12 educator in NC Public Schools, use these step-by-step directions to enroll for 5 contact hours (or 0.5 CEU) in the HomeBase NCEES PD space.
    • If you are a K-20 educator who wants to adapt this course to offer locally within your instance of Canvas, is at a K-12 independent/private school, a community college, or a higher education organization, or lives in a different state or country, use these instructions to download or import the course, in whole or in part, from Instructure's Canvas Commons.

Educators can earn the Global Educator Digital Badge (GEDB) by completing a professional development plan and a capstone project focused on embedding global education in instruction.

GEDB candidates work with their supervising administrator to create a plan to complete 100 hours or 10 CEUs of global education professional development, as well as a capstone project, within two years. This time frame includes the acceptance of the capstone project into Home Base as a statewide resource. Upon completion of the GEDB requirements, a digital badge will be issued to the educator at the state level and the recognition will be documented in the educator's Home Base Professional Development Profile.

Currently, there are over 135 educators who have earned their GEDB, including teachers and principals from across the K-12 spectrum in Arts Education, Career & Technical Education (CTE), English as a Second Language (ESL), English Language Arts (ELA), Instructional Technology (IT), Math, Physical Education, Science, STEM, Social Studies, and World Languages.

Please click on the links below to access resources for earning the GEDB:

Schools can be recognized with the Global-Ready School (GRS) designation by demonstrating that they meet the criteria on the GRS rubric at the "Prepared" or "Model" level through the application process. There are 10 Global-Ready Attributes on the rubric with 2 - 6 Key Elements each that address the following:

  • Career-ready employer requirements and community connections across the school's grade levels
  • Global school partnerships and classroom projects focused on thinking global and acting local
  • K-12 world language opportunities for all, including the school's students
  • Local resolutions, strategic plans, and teams supporting global education
  • Pathways for educators in the school to achieve the Global Educator Digital Badge (GEDB)

So far, there are twelve Global-Ready Schools that have been recognized by the North Carolina State Board of Education. Please use the links and information below to find out about their ongoing initiatives in global education.

Elementary & K - 8 Schools

Middle Schools

High Schools

Please click on the links below to access resources for submitting the Global-Ready School (GRS) application

* GRS applications are due in early April. The intent to apply form and the application document are posted for informational purposes. 

Questions about the Global-Ready School Designation can be emailed to the NCDPI Global Education Steering Committee at ncglobaleducation@dpi.nc.gov

Districts can be recognized with the Global-Ready District (GRD) designation by demonstrating that they meet the criteria on the GRD rubric at the "Prepared" or "Model" level through the application process. There are 10 Global-Ready Attributes on the rubric with 2 - 6 Key Elements each that address the following:

  • Career-ready employer requirements and community connections across the district's schools
  • Global school and/or district partnerships and classroom projects focused on thinking global and acting local
  • K-12 world language opportunities for all of the district's students
  • Local resolutions, strategic plans, and teams supporting global education
  • Pathways for educators in schools across the district to achieve the Global Educator Digital Badge (GEDB)

So far, there are two Global-Ready Districts that have been recognized by the North Carolina State Board of Education. Please use the links and information below to find out about their ongoing initiatives in global education.

Please click on the links below to access resources for submitting the Global-Ready District (GRD) application

* GRD applications are due in December. The intent to apply form and the application document are posted for informational purposes. 

Questions about the Global-Ready School Designation can be emailed to the NCDPI Global Education Steering Committee at ncglobaleducation@dpi.nc.gov

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