New York State Seal of Biliteracy

The New York State Seal of Biliteracy (NYSSB) is a graduation distinction that recognizes high school graduates who can listen, speak, read, and write in English and at least one other language. The NYSSB is available to any graduating senior who has met the requirements for a diploma and can show their skill in English and another language. 

Multilingualism sets you up for success in college, career, and life. The NYSSB: 

• Encourages the study of languages 

• Affirms the value of linguistic and cultural diversity in a multilingual society

• Provides employers with a way to identify high school graduates who have language and biliteracy skills and,

• Provides universities with an additional method to recognize applicants seeking admission.

Reach out to your school for more information on the NYSSB. 

Reach out to your school for more information on the Seal of Biliteracy or advocate for them to start a program. To use their PR/HYLI experience towards the Seal of Biliteracy, PR/HYLI participants must attend a school that offers the Seal of Biliteracy. 

Before you graduate, you will need to show your proficiency in English and Spanish.  You must achieve 6 points in total: 3 points to demonstrate English proficiency and three points to demonstrate Spanish proficiency. 

Three points for Demonstrating Proficiency in English. Students have a variety of pathways to achieve the three points in English:

You can get one point for each criteria:

• • ☑️ passing the ELA Regents Exam with a score of 80

  • ☑️ passing A.P. English exams 

  • ☑️ maintaining an 85 average in all 11th and 12th Grade ELA courses

  • ☑️ scoring a 290 or above on the NYSESLAT during high school

You earn 2-points for:

• • ☑️ - Presenting a culminating project (NYCDOE-specified Capstone Biliteracy Project in English) that meets NYSSB criteria for two points. 

You also need three points for Demonstrating Proficiency in World Languages.  

You can get 1-point for demonstrating proficiency in the following areas:

• • ☑️ maintaining an 85 average in a Checkpoint C Spanish course (as in Advanced Placement Spanish Language and Culture)

  • ☑️ successful participation in a school in a foreign country 

  • ☑️ maintaining an 85 average in a Checkpoint C Spanish course Successful participation in a bilingual education program.

  • ☑️ achieving the necessary score on world language assessments (e.g. AP Spanish Language and Culture with a score of 4 or 5)

• You earn 2-points for:

  • ☑️ Using the PR/HYLI experience to complete the culminating project (NYCDOE-specified Capstone Biliteracy Project): "PR/HYLI Capstone Club" 

You can use your experience to complete the culminating project of the Seal of Biliteracy. Express your interest in being part of the "Capstone Club." Between December and May, you will work with an advisor to help you complete an extension project in Spanish that builds on the learning you have done as part of PRHYLI, as outlined below. All three parts must be in Spanish; upon successful completion, you will have two of the three points you need on the Spanish side. You will work with your school's NYSSB Coordinator to make sure you have the English points and third Spanish point. 

Part A

A polished personal writing piece to serve as a foundation for the following components. Theme: Leadership and connection to PRHYLI legislative bills

Part B

Research in the language of the CBP, in preparation for a synthesizing project. Students must submit an annotated bibliography that shows their understanding of the sources. (Must connect to the PRHYLI legislative bills) 

Part C

A presentation/oral defense of the overall project to a CBP Assessment Panel of two adults proficient in the language. All Part C presentations for graduating seniors must be completed no later than four weeks before graduation.

Here are the deadlines for the Seal of Biliteracy.

November  

Complete the form and speak with your administrator to learn if your school offers the Seal of Biliteracy. 

December  

Complete Part A of the Capstone Project (CBP). More information will be shared by the PRHYLI NYSSB Advisor during a zoom call. 

Select the bill you would like to learn more about. 

January 

Complete Part B of the Capstone Project (research and an annotated bibliography). More information will be shared by the PRHYLI NYSSB Advisor during a zoom call. 

February 

Complete Part II of the Capstone Project. More information will be shared by the PRHYLI NYSSB Advisor during a zoom call.

March 

Complete Part IV of the Capstone Project. 

April 

Revision and feedback 

April (Week 4) 

Presentation/oral defense of the overall project to a CBP Assessment Panel of two adults proficient in the language. 

June 13

Attend the virtual citywide Seal of Biliteracy celebration. 

Click here to access the interest form

Speak with your New York State Seal of Biliteracy (NYSSB) School Coordinator!

To simplify your capstone project, consider using your PRHYLI experience as the foundation. By the time you complete PRHYLI, you’ll already have gathered information (citations, resources, and support) to develop your capstone project with ease. Let PRHYLI be the core of your experience!

If your NYSSB School Coordinator has any questions, they can reach out to Lisa Pineda at Lpineda@schools.nyc.gov or Jill Schimmel at Jschimmel@schools.nyc.gov.

Also, don’t forget to ask your PRHYLI trainer for the Bill Analysis Worksheet—it’s a great tool to help structure and guide your argument!