Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy Program Highlights

The Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy program awards official designations to graduating high school students who have attained proficiency in English and at least one additional language. The program aims to encourage language mastery, certify biliteracy skills, recognize language diversity, and provide various benefits to recipients. Schools and districts play a crucial role in supporting students to achieve the seal. Watch a video for an overview of the program, its purpose, requirements, and student reflections on earning the seal.

• Massachusetts
• Biliteracy Program
• Language Proficiency
• Education
• Seal of Biliteracy

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1. Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy Program Highlights For School and Community Leaders 1

2. Contents 1. Introduction & Purpose 2. Overview & Recipient Reflections 3. Benefits of Earning the Seal of Biliteracy 4. Participating Schools & Districts 5. The Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy 2019-Present 6. School/District Responsibilities 7. Supports & Resources 8. Getting Started in Your District 2

3. Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy Introduction The State Seal of Biliteracy and the State Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction are official designations awarded to qualifying students upon their graduation from a Massachusetts high school to indicate that they have attained a high level of proficiency in English and at least one additional world language. 3

4. Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy Purpose The purpose of the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy is to: Encourage students to study and master languages; Certify attainment of biliteracy skills; Recognize the value of language diversity; Provide employers with a method of identifying people with language and biliteracy skills; Provide universities with a method to recognize and give credit to applicants for the attainment of high-level skills in languages; Prepare students with skills that will benefit them in the labor market and the global society; and Strengthen intergroup communication and honor the multiple cultures and languages in a community. 4

5. Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy Overview & Recipient Reflections Click here to watch a video providing an overview of the purpose, requirements, and benefits of the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy, and reflections of students who have earned it. 5

6. Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy Benefits of Earning the Seal of Biliteracy The Seal award offers many benefits for recipients in Massachusetts including: Providing colleges and universities with a method to recognize and give credit to applicants for attainment of high level skills in languages. Colleges and universities may offer advanced language course placement to applicants for attainment of high level skills in languages. A voucher to take a Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL). Recipients may choose to apply this voucher to either the Communication and Literacy MTEL, Bilingual Education MTEL, or a world language MTEL. 6

7. Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy Participating Colleges & Universities The following public institutions of higher learning in Massachusetts provide language on their websites to provide credits for prior learning for students who have earned the Seal: Bridgewater State University Bunker Hill Community College Cape Cod Community College Massachusetts Bay Community College Middlesex Community College Mount Wachusett Community College North Shore Community College Northern Essex Community College Quinsigamond Community College Salem State University Worcester State University The list continues to grow. Check the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy webpage for the most recent list of participating colleges and universities. 7

8. Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy Participating Schools & Districts 70% of MA schools/districts offered the State Seal of Biliteracy in 2023 100.00% 90.00% 80.00% 70.00% 60.00% 50.00% 40.00% 30.00% 20.00% 10.00% 0.00% Central Greater Boston Metro West Northeast Southeast Western State 8

9. Since 2019, nearly 7,000 students have earned the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy. Seals of Biliteracy Recipients 2500 2158 2000 1790 1592 1500 1164 1000 500 0 SY 2019 SY 2020 SY 2021 SY 2022 9 9

10. Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy Responsibilities of Participating Districts/Schools All participating schools and districts must commit to the following practices: 1. Enroll in the Seal of Biliteracy program on the Security Portal; 2. Inform all parents of all students in the district of this opportunity; 3. Assess interested students in English (Grade 10 ELA MCAS) and at least one world language (from the DESE-approved list); 4. Maintain the records of the world language assessment for students who earn the State Seal of Biliteracy; 5. Provide the Seal of Biliteracy insignia on the diploma and/or final transcripts of students who earn the Seal; and 6. Report the names of graduates who earned the Seal on the end-of-year SIMS report. 10

11. Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy Cost to Districts/Schools Participation in the State Seal of Biliteracy program is free. Although schools/districts may opt to pay for students world language assessments, they are only required to do so for students who are designated as low-income. The DESE Guidance Document for the State Seal of Biliteracy specifies funding options for world language assessments and/or other non-required costs which may be associated with the implementation of the State Seal of Biliteracy. These options may include: Title I, Part A Title III, Part A Title IV, Part A State and local funds Please see the DESE Guidance Document for complete information about funding eligibility for each grant. 11

12. Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy Supports & Resources Available You can find many resources on the DESE website to help you get started and support the Seal of Biliteracy in your district. Supports include: Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy Guidance Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy Coordinator Training Modules Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy Networking Opportunities Lists of approved world language assessments and English language assessments Implementation Checklist Sample parent notification letter Information regarding grant funding Frequently Asked Questions 12

13. Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy Getting Started in Your District Steps: 1. Visit MA State Seal of Biliteracy webpage for implementation checklist to get started 2. Email MAStateSealofBiliteracy@mass.gov with any questions. 3. Join the DESE World Languages mailing list to receive the latest updates regarding the MA State Seal of Biliteracy 4. Join the MA State Seal of Biliteracy Leaders Network 13

14. Thank you! Webpage: https://www.doe.mass.edu/scholarships/biliteracy/ Email: MAStateSealofBiliteracy@mass.gov 14