Criteria

Earning the New York State Seal of Biliteracy

NYS Regents Diploma

Students wishing to receive the New York State (NYS) Seal of Biliteracy must complete all the requirements for graduation with a NYS Regents diploma

English and World Language Proficiency

In addition to the above minimum requirement, students wishing to receive a NYS Seal of Biliteracy must earn three (3) points in each of the two (2) areas (English and World Language) listed below:

Criteria for Demonstrating Proficiency

English (3 Points Needed)

Coursework and Assessments

• NYS Regents Examination in English Language Arts (Common Core)*:

  • Score 80 or higher (1 point)

• 11th and 12th grade ELA courses:

  • Complete all with an average of 85 or higher a comparable score using another scoring system set by the district and approved by the Commissioner. (1 point)

• Advanced Placement (AP) English Language or English Literature examination:

  • 3 or higher (1 point)

• English Language Learners (ELLs):

  • Score 75 or above on two Regents exams other than English, without translation (1 point)

• New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test (NYSESLAT):

  • ELLs score at the Commanding level on two modalities (1 point)

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL):

  • 80 or higher (1 point)

Language Portfolio/Culminating Project*

Present a culminating project, scholarly essay or portfolio that meets the criteria for speaking, listening, reading, and writing established by the district’s NYS Seal of Biliteracy Committee to a panel of reviewers with proficiency in English. (2 points)

*The work for the "Language Portfolio/Culminating Project" may be part of your ELA and World Language courses. In some cases, additional work may be necessary to demonstrate evidence of proficiency in the language pursued.

Criteria for Demonstrating Proficiency

World Language (3 Points Needed)

Coursework and Assessments

• Checkpoint C level World Language course:

  • Complete a Checkpoint C level World Language course, with a grade of 85 or higher, or a comparable score using another scoring system set by the district and approved by the Commissioner, for both the coursework and final examination consistent with Checkpoint C standards. (1 point)

• Foreign Credit

  • Provide transcripts from a school in a country outside of the U.S. showing at least three years of instruction in the student’s home/native language in Grade 8 or beyond, with an equivalent grade average of B or higher. (1 point)

• Accredited Checkpoint C World Language assessment:

  • Score at a proficient level (1 point)

Culminating Project:

Present a culminating project, scholarly essay or portfolio that meets the criteria for speaking, listening, reading, and writing established by the district’s NYS Seal of Biliteracy Committee and that is aligned to the NYS Checkpoint C Learning Standards to a panel of reviewers with proficiency in the target language. (2 points)

Testing accommodations recommended in an individualized education program or section 504 Accommodations Plan must be provided for all State and districtwide assessments administered to students with disabilities, as consistent with State policy. Students with disabilities should also receive these testing accommodations on Checkpoint C World Language Assessments, as permitted.

*Students in schools with an alternate pathway for graduation approved by the Commissioner will be held to those schools’ criteria.