Amendment #128 to H4165

An Act to create a State Seal of Biliteracy for Massachusetts

Representatives Khan of Newton, Livingstone of Boston, Cabral of New Bedford, Walsh of Framingham, Hecht of Watertown, Malia of Boston and Andrews of Orange moves to amend the bill by inserting after section 66 the following section:

“SECTION 67.  Chapter 69 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2012 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding after Section 1O the following new section:

Section 1P.  The Board shall establish the State Seal of Biliteracy to recognize high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in one or more languages in addition to English.  The Secretary of Education shall be responsible for preparing and delivering to participating school districts the seal insignia.  Participating school districts shall be required to maintain records in order to identify pupils who have earned a State Seal of Biliteracy and to affix an appropriate insignia to the diploma or transcript of pupils who earn a State Seal of Biliteracy.  These Seals would also be available electronically.  School district participation in this program is voluntary.

The purpose of the State Seal of Biliteracy are as follows: (1) To encourage pupils to study languages; (2) To certify attainment of Biliteracy; (3) To provide employers with a method of identifying people with language and Biliteracy skills; (4) To provide universities with a method to recognize and give academic credit to applicants seeking admission; (5) To prepare pupils with 21st century skills; (6) To recognize and promote foreign language instruction in public schools; (7) To strengthen intergroup relationships, affirm the value of diversity, and honor the multiple cultures and languages of a community.

The State Seal of Biliteracy certifies attainment of a high level of proficiency by a graduating high school pupil in one or more languages, in addition to English, and certifies that the graduate meets all of the following criteria:

A) Completion of all English language arts requirements for graduation with an overall grade point average of 2.0 or above in those classes.

B) Passing the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System Test in English language arts administered in grade 10 at the proficient level or above

C) Proficiency in one or more languages other than English, demonstrated through one of the following methods:

(1) Passing a foreign language Advanced Placement examination with a score of 3 or higher or an International Baccalaureate examination with a score of 4 or higher

(2) Successful completion of a four-year high school course of study in a foreign language, and attaining an overall grade point average of 3.0 or above in that course of study.

(3) Passing the SAT II foreign language examination with a score of 600 or higher

For purposes of this section, ‘foreign language’ means a language other than English, and includes American Sign Language.

The Secretary of Education shall be responsible for: preparing and delivering to participating school districts an appropriate insignia to be affixed to the diploma or transcript of the pupil indicating that the pupil has been awarded a State Seal of Biliteracy by the Superintendent; providing other information it deems necessary for school districts to successfully participate in the program.

A school district that participates in the program under this article shall maintain appropriate records in order to identify pupils who have earned a State Seal of Biliteracy and affix the appropriate insignia to the diploma or transcript of each pupil who earns a State Seal of Biliteracy.”

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #128 to H4165

An Act to create a State Seal of Biliteracy for Massachusetts