Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 69 § 1Q

Current through Chapter 223 of the 2024 Legislative Session

Section 69:1Q - State seal of biliteracy; award; criteria

The board of elementary and secondary education shall establish a state seal of biliteracy to be awarded by school districts to students who have attained a high level of proficiency in English and not less than 1 other language in addition to English. To qualify for the seal, a student shall meet criteria established by the board.

The criteria shall include, but shall not be limited to attainment of a specified level of performance on:

(i) the tenth grade English language arts exams of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System; and

(ii) not less than 1 nationally recognized and readily available assessments that measure literacy in a language other than English or an equivalent alternative that the board may establish.

The department shall develop an insignia to be affixed to the diploma or transcript of a student who has been awarded a state seal of biliteracy and make the insignia available to school districts in an electronic format for the preparation of diplomas.

A school district that awards the state seal of biliteracy shall maintain appropriate records to identify students who have earned a state seal of biliteracy and affix the appropriate insignia to the diploma or transcript of a student who earns a state seal of biliteracy.

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 69, § 1Q

Added by Acts 2017, c. 138,§ 19, eff. 2/20/2018.