There are notable changes to the NYSSB Handbook. Please take some time to review those changes. In recognition of the importance of bilingualism, many states, including New York, are beginning to award a seal of biliteracy in formal recognition of students who have studied and attained a high proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation. “The intent of a seal of biliteracy is to: encourage the study of languages; identify high school graduates with language and biliteracy skills for employers; provide universities with additional information about applicants seeking admission; prepare students with twenty-first century skills; recognize the value of foreign and native language instruction in schools; and affirm the value of diversity in a multilingual society.” The purpose of this handbook is to assist New York State schools in understanding New York State Education Department (NYSED) Commissioner’s Regulations and academic policies regarding the New York State Seal of Biliteracy (NYSSB).

Changes in the 2020-21 Annual Report:

• This year’s report includes links to seven regional reports, one for each region of New York.

• 2020-21 marked the second year that gender and race/ethnicity data was collected, so comparison charts disaggregated by these two factors are included in this report.

• Student data for Seal earners is compared against multi-year averages instead of to the individual cohort. For instance, the percentage of male and female Seal earners is compared against the eight year average percentage of males to females of all 12th graders in New York State.

• Prior to 2020-21, there were three possible student groups that could pursue the NYSSB: Current English Language Learners (ELLs), Former/Ever ELLs, and Never ELLs (see page 47 for definitions). In 2020-21, the category of Never ELLs was divided into two subgroups: Never ELLs whose home language is English and Never ELLs whose home language is other than English. The rationale behind this change was to differentiate between Heritage Language Speakers and students who pursue a course of study in world languages

There were 292 schools in New York State that offered the Seal of Biliteracy (a 28% increase from the prior year). The number of schools offering the Seal grew in all seven regions of the state. 22% of all NYS public high schools offer the NYSSB (more than one in every five public schools). 4,609 students earned the NYSSB, representing 7% of seniors attending public high schools in New York State. This exceeds last year’s level by more than 500 students, which is particularly impressive given the closure of schools in mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the students who earned the Seal in 2019-20, 181 were Current ELLs, 1,046 were Ever ELLs, and 3,382 were Never ELLs. Almost all students using the Culminating Project to earn points towards the English and/or World Language criteria had to conduct their presentations via video conferencing or other remote connection methods. Other students had to complete work towards the Seal remotely and still, others took the approved Checkpoint C assessments online.

The New York State Education Department (NYSED or “the Department”) released the 2018-19 Report on the New York State Seal of Biliteracy (NYSSB or “the Seal”). The report summarizes facts and figures that demonstrate significant growth in this program over the last four years, including an increase in the number of schools offering the Seal and the number of students earning it. The report also identifies future goals for growth areas, strategies to achieve these goals, and provides information regarding how the NYSSB compares to other such programs throughout the country. Last year, 4,031 students from 228 schools earned the NYSSB in 47 different languages. Since the first year this program was offered, over 7,700 students have earned this distinction.

• Letter from the Associate Commissioner.................................. 1

• Bridges to Academic Success........... 2

• Long Island Regional Bilingual

• Education Resource Network Family

• Academy .......................................... 3

• 2020-21 NYSED ELL Data ................. 4

• World Language Professional

• Learning Series Continues................ 4

• Collaborative Unit Design Workshops for

Checkpoint A.............................. 5

• Administrator’s Reference Guide for

• World Languages—Part 2: The

• Standards in Action.......................... 6

• Highlighting Bilingual Education through Dual Language Programs... 7

• Affordable Connectivity Program .... 8

• Culminating Projects for the NYS Seal of Biliteracy...................................... 9

• New from Other NYSED Offices..... 10

• 2022 World Language Professional Learning Series (our next workshop on the “Role of Grammar in Proficiency Development – Part 1” will take place on February 24^th)

• World Language Administrator Reference Guide –

Part 1

• NYSAFLT Public Advocacy Resources for World Language Educators

• New York State Seal of Biliteracy Reports and Infographics (2020-21)

• NYS TESOL Seal of Biliteracy Scholarship

The Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages announces in this newsletter its first five workshops in the 2022 World Language Professional Learning Series. These online workshops are offered free of charge for world language educators and administrators working or studying in New York State schools, colleges, universities, BOCES/RBERNs, or other educational institutions. All workshops will take place from 4:00-5:00 p.m., so that educators can attend. Participants who attend these workshops via Zoom may earn a certificate of attendance or a certificate documenting CTLE credit. Recordings are made of all large-group workshops. Those who are unable to attend the virtual workshops may earn a certificate, including for CTLE credit, by watching the recording and earning a score of at least 7/10 on a post assessment.

As the New York State educational agency and representative of bilingual education and world languages, OBEWL continues to seek the rights guaranteed in its constitution. The current initiatives for a Culturally Responsive, Linguistically Sustaining Education; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; have amended Early Childhood Regulations inclusive of the Emerging Multilingual Learners and finally, the partnership with CUNY on immigration and education are some examples of the OBEWL commitment.

The start of the 2021-2022 school year holds special significance, as each school district will receive federal grants such as the American Rescue Plan, designed to address the educational needs of all children. These grants were created to address the abrupt halt and pivot our schools faced during the pandemic. Our children will be able to receive additional supports that address the inequities that were discovered during the educational crisis of the pandemic.

Stay up to date with the latest information. In closing this academic school year, OBEWL celebrates schools through the state, not only making it through but with integrity. Planning for the restart of the 2021-2022 academic year, it will be your voice that will continue to ensure the curriculum, resources, policies, and educational spending reflect the needs of our children and their families. We know where we have been. With you, we know where we are going.

Stay up to date with the latest information. The vast majority of schools that currently offer the NYSSB are public schools. Did you know that any schools that offer the NYS Regents Diploma to their students may have a NYSSB program?

Stay up to date with the latest information. Learn more about what other schools in NYS are doing when approaching the Seal of Biliteracy. Francis Lewis High School, located in the borough of Queens, is one of the largest high schools in New York City, serving more than 4,600 students. Led by principal Dr. David Marmour, the ethnically and linguistically diverse student population hails from over 55 countries and boasts over 60 distinct home languages. Francis Lewis High School offers comprehensive study in eight world languages including American Sign Language, Chinese, French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, and Spanish, as well as Advanced Placement world language coursework and native language arts sequences so that students can learn based on their interests and proficiency levels. The curriculum is theme-based and student-centered to provide context and purpose and to foster the expression of ideas in the target language at varying levels of fluency.

Stay up to date with the latest information on professional development concerning the World Language Standards, further training from NYU Steinhardt School of Education in teaching science to ELLs, and further updates on the NYSSB from the Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages.

Stay up to date with the latest information on the NYSSB. Aligning OBEWL Resources to Next Generation Learning Standards. Revision of the LOTE Standards. Embedding Authentic Resources Workshop. Last school year (2019-20), there were 292 schools that awarded the NYSSB. In the current school year (2020-21), over 360 schools, including 86 new schools, have registered to offer the Seal. A reminder that the NYSSB Guidance Toolkit containing modules on how schools can start and improve upon their programs is available on our website.

Stay up to date with the latest information on the NYSSB. Just this past year, New York State recognized its very first student to complete the Seal of Biliteracy in an Indigenous Language: Gabrielle Capton. Gabrielle graduated from Niagara-Wheatfield during the start of the COVID lockdown of 2020. Her class began presenting their projects for the Seal on a Friday and never returned to school that year. In the midst of the challenges presented by school closures, Gabby was able to persevere over the virtual obstacles and received the remaining credits needed to obtain the Seal in Tuscarora. While Gabrielle is a member of the Cayuga Nation, Wolf clan, her father is Tuscarora and she has taken Tuscarora language classes since Pre-K. Gabby is currently a student at the University of Buffalo majoring in physics and looks forward to continuing her studies in the Tuscarora language.