This webinar gives an introduction of the national Seal of Biliteracy movement and an overview of the Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy Pilot Project, including the updated resources and experience gained from the third year of the pilot. (Recorded Oct 10, 2017) Continue reading
Updated Seal of Biliteracy Toolkit
The revised Seal of Biliteracy Toolkit is now available for download!
The toolkit was revised and updated with input from schools that participated in the Seal of Biliteracy Pilot Project during the 2016-17 school year. The revised toolkit includes new resources for use in implementing the Seal of Biliteracy:
- Additional models and examples of rubrics, portfolios and more
- Updated table to elaborate on testing instruments for levels of award
- Options for determining Seal award using testing in first years of implementation
- Expanded FAQ section
- List of Workgroup participants in the three years of the pilot
Link to download: Seal of Biliteracy Toolkit – Sep 2017 Revision (no longer online — see the updated Toolkit at www.SealofBiliteracyMA.org)
Webinar: The Seal of Biliteracy in Massachusetts
Please join us for a complimentary Webinar on the Seal of Biliteracy Pilot implementation in Massachusetts (now in its third year). The webinar will discuss the creation of resources and supports for use by school districts, and an update on the legislative status of the state Seal of Biliteracy bill. The webinar is presented by MaFLA, MABE, MATSOL and the Language Opportunity Coalition.
The Seal of Biliteracy is a national movement to document and reward students for attaining biliteracy in two or more languages. Twenty seven states currently have enacted Seal of Biliteracy legislation and we hope MA will be next! Continue reading
2017-18 Seal of Biliteracy Pilot Project Update
56 schools or school districts are currently participating in the third year of the Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy Pilot Project.
- 2016: 10 schools/districts made over 300 awards.
- 2017: 17 schools/districts made over 900 awards.
The remaining schools/districts are in the planning and implementation stages of the pilot. The next awards will be made at the end of the school year in 2018. Continue reading
LOOK bill sent to conference committee
The LOOK Bill passed the House on June 7, 2017 in a vote of 152-2, and passed by the Senate unanimously on July 27. The two versions of the bill were referred to conference committee and the following legislators were appointed to the committee: Rep. Alice Peisch, House co-chair of the Education Committee, Rep. Frank Moran and Rep. Kimberly Ferguson, along with Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz, Senate co-chair of the Education Committee, Sen. Sal DiDomenico, and Sen. Patrick O’Connor.
Seal of Biliteracy Hearing
There will be a hearing on the Seal of Biliteracy bills before the Joint Committee of Education Tuesday, June 27, 2017, 10 am, Room A2 at the Massachusetts State House,
Be prepared to testify on behalf of …
- S.311 An Act to promote global trade and economic development through biliteracy (Sponsor: Senator Karen Spilka)
- H.285 An Act to promote global trade and economic development through biliteracy (Sponsor: Representative Kay Khan)
- H.2045 An Act relative to the state seal of biliteracy (Sponsor: Representative Bradley Jones)
We are seeking testimony in favor of the bills, either in person or in writing. Submit written testimony to the committee co-chairs:
- Representative Alice Peisch: Alice.Peisch@mahouse.gov
- Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz: Sonia.Chang-Diaz@masenate.gov
GUIDANCE FOR ORAL TESTIMONIALS
Testimonials that tell a story about individuals are very powerful. Focus on what you know and care about. Think about what you know and have experienced and present your concerns and ideas for better solutions. (Possible Topics: Pathway Awards, Seal of Bilitearcy Pilot experience, personal experience learning a second language, personal experience using two or more languages in your job or career, personal experience as a student in a language learning program.) You have so much to offer policy conversations without having to be a data or policy expert. Plan to speak for no more than 3 minutes.
GUIDANCE FOR WRITTEN TESTIMONY
You can submit written testimony to the Chairs of the committee and cc: your State Senator and State Representative. Here is the list of names for the Joint Education Committee Chairs and members. Bring a written copy of our testimony to leave with the committee, as well. You can bring just one copy of testimony, and the staff will make copies for the Committee files, or you can bring enough for all committee members (~20) if you prefer. You can bring other visual handouts to attach with your testimony, too.
- Limit the text to 1.5 pages
- Include your name, address, where you work or study, what you do for work,
- State “I am ….
- State I am in favor of the bill S311, H285, H 2045 and this is why.
- Pick one action point listed in the Seal of Biliteracy Talking Points and speak to that.
- State “I recommend that bill S311, H285, H 2045 should be passed.
RESOURCES
See the Seal of Biliteracy page for resources and fact sheets.
LET US KNOW YOU ARE TESTIFYING
Please use the Contact Us page if you plan to testify or send testimony, and send us an electronic copy of your testimony so that we can post them on the Coalition blog site.
House Passes LOOK Bill
June 7, 2017 – The Language Opportunity Coalition applauds the Massachusetts House of Representatives for passage of legislation that brings meaningful reform to our education system for the way we teach English learners. The legislation passed today by the House will make important changes to the laws that govern educators in Massachusetts, giving school districts increased flexibility to make sure that the English language instruction programs they offer are those that work best for their district’s students. We are grateful to the Speaker and House leadership for prioritizing these important changes so early in the legislative session.
While no legislation is perfect, we firmly believe that the House passed language takes a critical first step in addressing the issues of our current system. We look forward to working with members of the Senate as this legislation now moves on to their branch.
We are truly grateful to the leadership of the Speaker, the Education Chair and Education Committee, and our legislative champions Representative Jeffery Sanchez and Representative Tony Cabral for taking such a strong stance on this critical issue and ensuring that English Language Learner reform is one of the first issues the legislature tackles this legislative session.
South Coast Today: Mass. House votes to scrap ‘one size fits all’ ELL teaching
LOOK Bill Advances with Seal of Biliteracy
April 18, 2017: The LOOK Bill — H.3705/S.2070 An Act for language opportunity for our kids — was reported out favorably by the Joint Committee on Education and and referred to the House & Senate Committees on Ways and Means.
The LOOK Bill removes the restrictive mandate requiring Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) as the “one size fits all” default English Language Learner (ELL) program model, and gives school districts the flexibility to establish programs based on the educational needs of their students. It also establishes a state Seal of Biliteracy.
Language Opportunity Coalition an award finalist
We are excited to announce that the Language Opportunity Coalition has been named a finalist for Massachusetts Nonprofit Network’s 2017 Nonprofit Excellence Award for Collaboration, recognizing the collaborative work of MATSOL, MABE, and MaFLA to launch the Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy Pilot Project!
View the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network’s announcement:
Each year, the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network honors the passion and impact of leaders in the state’s nonprofit sector with the Nonprofit Excellence Awards. This year, our panel of judges reviewed over 120 nominations that highlighted the incredible work of nonprofits across the state. The finalists range from large human rights coalitions to small arts organizations. These 26 nonprofits and individuals are improving communities across the Commonwealth, from the Berkshires to the Cape & Islands. They may differ in mission, size, and location, but the following individuals and organizations represent the best-of-the-best in the Massachusetts nonprofit sector. The 2017 Excellence Award winners will be announced at the State House on June 5th before hundreds of nonprofit, business, and community leaders.
Hearing on LOOK Bill
Hearing of the Joint Committee of Education
Thursday, April 13, 2017 at 10:00 AM
Massachusetts State House, Room A-2
Teachers, students, parents, and other community members can testify in favor of the legislation. Be prepared to testify on behalf of: S.232 An Act for language opportunity for our kids
Please contact the coalition through our Contact Us page to let us know you plan to testify!
The LOOK Bill
The bill removes the current mandate requiring Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) as the “one size fits all” default English Language Learner (ELL) program model, and gives school districts the flexibility to establish programs based on the educational needs of their ELL students.
It also establishes the State Seal of Biliteracy to recognize high school graduates who speak, write, and write in two languages (with the same language as S.311/H.285 An Act to Promote Global Trade and Economic Development through Biliteracy)
GUIDANCE FOR ORAL TESTIMONIALS
Testimonials that tell a story about individuals are very powerful. Focus on what you know and care about. Think about what you know and have experienced and present your concerns and ideas for better solutions, or one or two issues listed in the ELL Bill Fact Sheet April 2017 and speak to that. You have so much to offer policy conversations without having to be a data or policy expert.
Plan to speak for no more than 3 minutes.
GUIDANCE FOR WRITTEN TESTIMONY
You can submit written testimony to the Chairs of the committee and cc: your State Senator and State Representative. Here is the list of names for the Joint Education Committee Chairs and members. Bring a written copy of our testimony to leave with the committee, as well. You can bring just one copy of testimony, and the staff will make copies for the Committee files, or you can bring enough for all committee members (~20) if you prefer. You can bring other visual handouts to attach with your testimony, too.
GUIDANCE FOR WRITTEN TESTIMONIES
- Limit the text to 1.5 pages
- Include your name, address, where you work or study, what you do for work,
- State “I am ….
- State I am in favor of the bill S232 (Look Bill) and this is why.
- Pick one point listed in the ELL Bill Fact Sheet April 2017 and speak to that.
- State “I recommend that bill S232 (Look Bill) should be passed.
Language Opportunity 
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