State Seal of Biliteracy

Dear Newburyport High School Families,

Newburyport Public Schools offer students the opportunity to earn the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy and the State Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction.

The State Seal of Biliteracy is awarded to graduating high school students who demonstrate a high level of proficiency in English and at least one additional language. This designation may be included in a student’s high school transcript.

The purposes of the State Seal of Biliteracy are 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.

All students are eligible to pursue the Seal, including English learners, former English learners, students with disabilities, heritage speakers, and students who have learned a language in school or in the community. To earn the Seal, students must meet all graduation requirements and demonstrate a high level of proficiency in English and at least one additional language through language assessments.

Newburyport Public Schools ensure equitable access to required assessments. Students identified as low-income may access required assessments at no cost. At present testing fees for all students are covered through grant funding.

Students must meet all graduation requirements for Newburyport High School. See School Committee Policy IKF GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS AND COMPETENCY DETERMINATION or contact a school counselor for details.

Students demonstrate English proficiency through the grade 10 ELA MCAS test or retest, which is already administered annually to all 10th grade students. In rare circumstances where students did not experience equitable access to the grade 10 ELA MCAS, additional options may be available. Contact the Seal of Biliteracy coordinator for more information.

Students demonstrate proficiency in one or more languages in addition to English through a Department-approved assessment.

• Students currently enrolled in a world language course:
• For students enrolled in a world language course, Newburyport High School offers the STAMP assessment in Spanish, German, and ASL in students’ sophomore year at the completion of Spanish 3, German 2, and ASL 2 and in students’ senior year at the completion of Spanish 5/AP and German 4.

• Students who already speak or have learned a language outside of school:
• Newburyport High School will facilitate access to an approved assessment in any language, including signed languages such as American Sign Language (ASL) and languages learned outside of school. Students seeking assessment in a language not offered through Newburyport High School regular process should contact Chrissa Pissios and/or Alden Metz by a students’ senior year to develop a plan.

If your child is interested in participating in the assessment to determine their eligibility for the Seal of Biliteracy, please contact Chrissa Pissios or Alden Metz at the email below. We will send out a candidate letter in December to recommended students with instructions for participation.

For questions or to get started, please contact Alden Metz at Newburyport High School (ametz@newburyport.k12.ma.us). Additional information, including Frequently Asked Questions for Students & Families, is available on the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education State Seal of Biliteracy webpage.

Sincerely,

Alden Metz and Chrissa Pissios

Co-coordinators for the Seal of Biliteracy

Newburyport Public Schools

ametz@newburyport.k12.ma.us

cpissios@newburyport.k12.ma.us