Seal of Biliteracy | Bedford Public Schools

The Seal of Biliteracy provides a means to recognize high school graduates who attain high functional and academic levels of proficiency in English and another language, meaning that those students can function in those languages in authentic, real-life situations.

The purposes of the 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.

Bedford Public Schools participates in the Seal of Biliteracy initiative in Massachusetts by recognizing students’ hard work in becoming biliterate in English and a second language. Additionally, students who demonstrate intermediate-mid levels of proficiency in Spanish, French and/or Latin will be eligible for a Bilingual Achievement Award from the Language Opportunity Coalition, a statewide language advocacy group. Seniors who meet all graduation requirements, in addition to the language requirements below will be eligible for a biliteracy award.

Award	English Language Requirement	Second Language Requirement
MA State Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction	501+ on the ELA grade 10 Next-Gen MCAS; 260+ on the ELA grade 10 Legacy MCAS	Advanced-Low proficiency as measured by an assessment approved by DESE
MA State Seal of Biliteracy	472-500 on the ELA grade 10 Next-Gen MCAS; 240-259 on the ELA grade 10 Legacy MCAS; or 4.2 overall and 3.9 composite literacy score on ACCESS for ELL	Intermediate-High proficiency as measured by a language assessment approved by DESE
LOC Biliteracy Achievement Award	472-500 on the ELA grade 10 Next-Gen MCAS; 240-259 on the ELA grade 10 Legacy MCAS; or 4.2 overall and 3.9 composite literacy score on ACCESS for ELL	Intermediate-Mid proficiency as measured by a language assessment approved by DESE

Seal of Biliteracy FAQ's

Who is eligible and how do I qualify?

Seniors who meet all graduation requirements, in addition to the language requirements below will be eligible for a biliteracy award.

Award

English Language Requirement

Second Language Requirement

MA State Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction

501+on the ELA grade 10 Next-Gen MCAS

260+ on the ELA grade 10 Legacy MCAS

Advanced-Low proficiency as measured by an assessment approved by DESE

MA State Seal of Biliteracy

472-500 on the ELA grade 10 Next-Gen MCAS

240-259 on the ELA grade 10 Legacy MCAS; or 4.2 overall and 3.9 composite literacy score on ACCESS for ELL

Intermediate-High proficiency as measured by a language assessment approved by DESE

LOC Biliteracy Achievement Award

472-500 on the ELA grade 10 Next-Gen MCAS

240-259 on the ELA grade 10 Legacy MCAS; or 4.2 overall and 3.9 composite literacy score on ACCESS for ELL

Intermediate-Mid proficiency as measured by a language assessment approved by DESE

What languages assessments are approved by DESE?

There is a long list of assessments that may serve to fulfill the second language proficiency requirements. Students at BHS have access to AP exams, the AAPPL (in French and Spanish classes) and the ALIRA (in Latin). Additional proficiency tests will be made available to students wishing to demonstrate proficiency in other languages.

What are the minimum score requirements on the AAPPL and ALIRA?

MA State Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction: AAPPL - A1 in all domains / ALIRA - A1

MA State Seal of Biliteracy: AAPPL - I5 in all domains / ALIRA - I5

LOC Biliteracy: AAPPL - I4 in all domains / ALIRA - I4

What if I've already taken and met the minimum score on an approved assessment for a second language?

Excellent! You do not need to do anything else to fulfill that requirement*. You will provide your score information in the registration packet.

*Students who completed an AP test in French/Spanish in the Spring of 2020 will need to achieve a qualifying score for the modes of listening, reading, and writing, as last year's AP test measured spoken proficiency only.

What if I've already taken and missed the minimum score on an approved assessment for a second language?

Don't worry! We are offering proficiency testing in second languages a few times this winter. You can find information on the tests and dates in the registration packet.

What languages are available on the AAPPL®?

The ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Language (AAPPL) is available in Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), English, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Thai.

What is taking the AAPPL® like?

Information about the AAPPL® is available here

What test can I take for Latin?

Students wishing to receive the Seal in Latin take the ALIRA®

What is taking the ALIRA® like?

Information about the ALIRA® is available here

What if I would like to apply for the Seal in a language not listed above?

Contact, Adriana Thomas, Program Director of World Languages, for alternative testing options or portfolio eligibility by the deadline.

How do I apply?

Complete the Registration paperwork available here and on the World Language Department website. Ask your language teacher or the Program Director for details.