Code of Massachusetts Regulations
603 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
Title 603 CMR 31.00 - Massachusetts Certificate of Mastery and State Seal of Biliteracy
Section 31.02 - Definitions
ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines. Descriptions of what individuals can do with language in terms of speaking, writing, listening, and reading in real-world situations in a spontaneous and non-rehearsed context published by the American Council of the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).
Advanced Placement (AP) Exam. An examination in subject matter produced by the College Board.
Arts/Humanities. Literature, composition, history, social science, foreign language and the arts.
Board. The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, appointed in accordance with M.G.L. c. 15, § 1E.
Certificate of Mastery. An award given to students demonstrating mastery across several content areas, including arts/humanities and mathematics/science through performance on MCAS, other achievement tests, and other forms of high academic, literary, or artistic achievement.
College Board. A membership organization made up of high schools and colleges.
Commissioner. The Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education or his or her designee.
Department. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Mathematics/Science. Mathematics, science, engineering and computer science.
MCAS. The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System, the statewide assessment of individual students' academic performance, as required by M.G.L. c. 69, § 1I.
Other Achievements. Recognition of high academic, literary, or artistic accomplishments as validated by activities outside the student's school, other than through standardized tests.
School District. A municipal school department or regional school district, acting through its school committee or superintendent of schools; a county agricultural school, acting through its board of trustees or superintendent/director; or a charter school or a Commonwealth of Massachusetts virtual school, acting through its board of trustees.
State Seal of Biliteracy. An award given by school districts to students who have attained a high level of proficiency in English and not less than one other language in addition to English.
Student. A Massachusetts resident who attends secondary school.