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WHS Students Can Earn Multiple Language Awards
WHS Students Can Earn Multiple Language Awards
All students at WHS can earn multiple awards in both the languages offered in our program, and in their heritage language as well. Below are the awards and levels.
Students can earn a State Seal of Biliteracy, an official recognition from the Department of Education or earn Biliteracy Award medal/certificate from the Language Opportunity Coalition.
For all of these awards, students are measured by their lowest proficiency level in any of the four domains (reading, writing, speaking, and listening). Often times students have a higher composite (average score) but that is not how DESE calculates the Seal.
It is IMPORTANT to note, that while Massachusetts gives the Seal for Intermediate-High or above, some states recognize Intermediate-Mid as their Seal of Biliteracy. Students applying to colleges out of state should check with their schools to see what credits they can earn.
The Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction is awarded to high school graduates who demonstrate proficiency in English and at least one other language at a high level. It recognizes students who have met specific criteria, including achieving a higher score on the MCAS than the general State Seal of Biliteracy, and demonstrating advanced-low proficiency in a world language.
To earn the Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction, students must:
Meet all graduation requirements:
Achieve a score of 501 or higher on the Grade 10 English Language Arts (ELA) MCAS test or retest (varies by year)
Demonstrate proficiency equivalent to or higher than Advanced-Low on a Department-approved world language assessment: We use the Avant STAMP 4s test, and a score of 7 - Advanced Low.
To earn the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy, students must demonstrate proficiency in English and a second language. Specifically, they need to score proficient or advanced on the 10th grade ELA MCAS and achieve an Intermediate-High proficiency level in a world language as determined by the ACTFL guidelines. Additionally, they must meet all other graduation requirements.
To earn the Seal of Biliteracy, students must:
Meet all graduation requirements
Achieve a score of 472 or higher on the Grade 10 ELA MCAS (varies by year)
Demonstrate proficiency equivalent to or higher than Intermediate-High on a Department-approved world language assessment: We use the Avant STAMP 4s test, and a score of 6 - Intermediate High.
The Language Opportunity Coalition, the group responsible for the LOOK Bill of 2017, the law that went into effect and officially created the Seal of Biliteracy in Massachusetts created TWO Certificate Awards:
Biliteracy Achievement Award is for students who have attained a proficiency level no lower than Intermediate-Mid in any language domain (Speaking, Reading, Writing, and Listening) in addition to passing the 10th Grade ELA MCAS.
Biliteracy Attainment Award for students who have attained a proficiency level no lower than Intermediate-Low in any language domain (Speaking, Reading, Writing, and Listening) in addition to passing the 10th Grade ELA MCAS.
For more information on this, please go to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education page for Guidance and Laws for English Language Learners (English Learners).
Click the link to see our Wilmington Public Schools Seal of Biliteracy Award Recipients since 2016.
Update: Check out the 2024 National Seal of Biliteracy Report for 2022-2023 Academic Year for information about the Seal all around the country.
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