The Department is finalizing guidance for the Seal of Biliteracy, but it has not yet been released. Please check the DESE website for updates and more information: http://www.doe.mass.edu/ell/
The State Seal of Biliteracy is awarded to students who have attained a high level of proficiency in English and a foreign language beginning with the graduating class of 2019.
Two tiers of the Seal:
- The State Seal of Biliteracy
- The State Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction
State Seal of Biliteracy
English Criteria:
- Meets all graduation requirements; AND
- Meets the English Language Arts requirement of the Competency Determination;
OR - Students who are required to complete an Educational Proficiency Plan to satisfy
the requirements of the Competency Determination must attain a minimum score
of 240 on the MCAS retake or a composite score of 4.2 on ACCESS* English
Language Development test. *English Learners only.
Foreign Language Criteria:
- Meets all graduation requirements; AND
- Students must attain a minimum of “Intermediate High” on the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) proficiency guidelines (e.g., a score of 4 on an Advanced Placement exam) on one of the aligned nationally recognized and readily available assessments approved by the Department;
OR - An alternative evidence method established by the Department in guidance.
State Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction
English Language Arts Criteria:
- Students must meet or exceed a scaled score of 260 (Advanced) on the current grade 10 version of ELA MCAS.
Foreign Language Criteria:
- Students must attain “Advanced Low” or above on the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) proficiency guidelines (e.g., a score of 5 on an Advanced Placement exam) on one of the aligned assessments approved by the Department.
Language Opportunity 