NYS Seal of Biliteracy

Requirements to Earn the NYS Seal of Biliteracy

1. Students must complete all requirements for graduation with a NYS Regents Diploma.

2. Students must earn 3 points in each of the two categories (English and World Languages) listed below.

1. ENGLISH (3 points needed)

___ (1 point) Score 80 or higher on the NYS Regents Examination in English Language Arts (Common Core)* or English Language Learners (ELLs) score 75 or above on two Regents exams other than English, without translation.

___ (1 point) Complete two ELA courses with an average of 85 or higher beginning in 10th grade

___ (1 point) ELLs score at the Commanding level on two modalities on the New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test (NYSESLAT).

___ (1 point) Score a 3 or higher on an Advanced Placement (AP) English Language or English Literature examination,

___ (2 points) 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. (Culminating project is typically part of your Grade 11 course curriculum. Proof of completion of a project/research paper should be included in your NYSSB portfolio)

2. WORLD LANGUAGE (3 points needed)

___ (1 point) 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. (This is typically the College Level language course).

___ (1 point) 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) Score at a proficient level on an accredited Checkpoint C World Language assessment.

___ (2 points) Present a culminating project, scholarly essay, or portfolio that demonstrates intermediate-high proficiency in the target language to the Connetquot High School NYSSB Committee. (Culminating project is included as part of your College level course curriculum.Proof of completion of your research and presentation should be included in your NYSSB Portfolio)

3. If you selected a Culminating Project in order to earn two points for the Seal of Biliteracy, note the following:

ENGLISH

If you are a native speaker of English, or are a former ENL student, you are required to include a completed research paper from your English class in your NYSSB Portfolio. You will not need to do a presentation, but proficiency will be confirmed by meeting with a member of the NYSSB Committee. If you are a non-native speaker of English and a current ENL student, you will be required to present to your ENL or ELA class.

WORLD LANGUAGE

If you are a native speaker of the language you are applying for, you are required to include a completed research paper from your language class in your NYSSB Portfolio. You will not need to do a presentation, but proficiency will be confirmed by meeting with a member of the NYSSB Committee and/or a native speaker of the language of your presentation. If you are a non-native speaker of the world language, you will be required to present to your World Language class or NYSSB Committee. One or more members of the NYSSB Committee will be present.

4. A final determination will be made by the NYSSB Committee and you will be notified by the Director of ENL/World languages.