Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024
(1)
School District Participation in the State Seal of Biliteracy
Program.
(a) School districts
may award the State Seal of Biliteracy to students who meet the academic
criteria listed in 603 CMR 31. 04(2).
(b) A school district participating in the
State Seal of Biliteracy program shall provide written notification to parents
or legal guardians of all students enrolled in the district about the State
Seal of Biliteracy program, its purposes, and eligibility requirements, in a
language that the parent or legal guardian can understand.
(c) A school district that awards the State
Seal of Biliteracy shall affix the unaltered state insignia developed by the
Department on the diploma or the transcript, or both, of students who meet the
requirements listed in 603 CMR 31.04(2).
(2)
Criteria. To
qualify for the State Seal of Biliteracy, a student must meet all graduation
requirements and the criteria listed in 603 CMR 31.04(2)(a) and (b).
(a) Demonstrate a high level of proficiency
in English by satisfying one of the following:
1. The English Language Arts requirement of
the Competency Determination described in
603 CMR
30.03(2)(a); or
2. The English Language Arts requirement of
the Competency Determination described in
603 CMR
30.03(3)(a); or
3. The English Language Arts requirement of
the Competency Determination described in
603 CMR
30.03(4)(a); or
4. Students who are required to complete an
Educational Proficiency Plan pursuant to
603 CMR
30.03(2)(b),
30.03(3)(b)
or
30.03(4)(b)
to satisfy the requirements of the
Competency Determination must attain a minimum score or level on a nationally
recognized and readily available English proficiency assessment approved by the
Department. The Commissioner shall determine the minimum score or level, which
shall be comparable to the minimum scaled score on the grade 10 English
Language Arts MCAS required to satisfy the requirements of the Competency
Determination under
603 CMR
30.03(2)(a),
30.03(3)(a)
and
30.03(4)(a).
(b) Demonstrate a high level of
proficiency in a foreign language through one of the following:
1. Attaining a minimum score or level on a
nationally recognized and readily available assessment approved by the
Department that measures literacy in a language other than English. The
Commissioner shall determine the minimum score or level, which shall be aligned
to higher education standards for awarding advanced credit by examination and
ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines.
2. An
alternative evidence method established by the Department in
guidance.
(3)
The Department shall annually publish a list of approved assessments and
acceptable minimum scores or levels for purposes of 603 CMR 31.04(2)(a)4. and
603 CMR 31.04(2)(b)1.
(4) The
Department shall establish levels of distinction for the State Seal of
Biliteracy in guidance.
(5) School
districts must ensure that low-income students as described in M.G.L. c. 70,
§ 2 have access to any assessment required to qualify for the State Seal
of Biliteracy at no cost.
(6)
Implementation and Reporting.
(a) A school district that awards the State
Seal of Biliteracy shall maintain a record of all students who have earned the
seal and the assessment results used to substantiate the student's
biliteracy.
(b) Each school
district shall report annually to the Department the names of all students who
earned the State Seal of Biliteracy.
