Seal of Biliteracy

NEWBURYPORT PUBLIC SCHOOLS SEAL OF BILITERACY PROGRAM

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are pleased to inform you of Newburyport Public School’s participation in the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy for the 2022-2023 School Year. The Seal of Biliteracy is offered to any student who demonstrates proficiency in English and any other language whether they speak or sign the language other than English at home or learned it at school or in the community.

The State Seal of Biliteracy aims to:

1. Encourage students to study and master languages
2. Certify attainment of biliteracy skills
3. Recognize the value of language diversity
4. Provide employers with a method of identifying people with language and biliteracy skills
5. Provide universities with a method to recognize and give credit to applicants for attainment of high-level skills in languages
6. Prepare students with skills that will benefit them in the labor market and the global society
7. Strengthen intergroup communication and honor the multiple cultures and languages in a community

1. Demonstrate a high level of proficiency in English by earning a score of 472 or higher on the Grade 10 ELA MCAS
2. Demonstrate a high level of proficiency in a world language by attaining a minimum score equivalent to Intermediate-High on an assessment approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
3. Satisfy all other graduation requirements

The Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction is available to students who:

1. Earn a score of 501 or higher on the Grade 10 ELA MCAS and
2. Demonstrate a proficiency level of Advanced Low or higher in a Department-approved assessment and
3. Satisfy all other graduation requirements

Please note that we will be offering the Avant STAMP Assessment to Newburyport High School in early 2023 at no cost to you. If your child is interested in participating in the assessment to determine their eligibility for the Seal of Biliteracy, please look for detailed information that will be coming later this fall.

We look forward to honoring the language expertise and diversity in our district through this initiative. If you have any further questions, please contact Alden Metz at ametz@newburyport.k12.ma.us or Chrissa Pissios at cpissios@newburyport.k12.ma.us.

Sincerely,

LisaMarie Ippolito

Assistant Superintendent