Promoting the Seal of Biliteracy:
The Massachusetts Model of Collaboration
MABE Dual Language Conference
Saturday March 25, 2017, 2:15PM – 3:35PM, Room B202
Windham Middle School, Willimantic, CT
PRESENTERS (A Few of the Collaborators):
 Kimberly Talbot, Melrose High School, MaFLA, [email protected]
 Nicole Sherf, Salem State University, MaFLA, [email protected]
ABSTRACT: In this session, presenters will demonstrate the unique model of collaboration instituted in Massachusetts among
the three major language organizations, MATSOL, MABE and MaFLA, in order to promote the Seal of Biliteracy. The unique
products of this workgroup include levels of Seal achievement, a Seal Toolkit, and a Seal Pilot model. Join the movement!
AGENDA:
What is a Seal of Biliteracy?
Why is the Seal Important for Our Discipline?
Our Legislative Process
Our Massachusetts Model for Collaborative Implementation Process: The MA Pilot
o Seal Toolkit: https://languageopportunity.files.wordpress.com/2015/12/toolkitsealofbiliteracy-oct2016.pdf
o Seal PowerPoint to Promote in District: http://mafla.org/advocacy-2/state-advocacy/
o Results of 2015-16 Pilot in MA:
https://languageopportunity.files.wordpress.com/2016/10/seal-of-biliteracy-pilot-project-oct2016.pdf
 10 Steps to Implement the Seal in Your District
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LEGISLATION:
 Seal Stand Alone Legislation: H.285/ S.311An Act to Promote Global Trade and Economic Development through Biliteracy
Filed by Representative Kay Khan Senator Karen Spilka.
 Seal of Biliteracy Fact Sheet: https://languageopportunity.org/seal-of-biliteracy/
 An Act Relative to Language Opportunity for Our Kids (LOOK) Bill: H.2839/S.232/S.2058. Filed by Senator Sal
DiDomenico, Representative Anthony Cabral and Representative Jeffrey Sanchez. The LOOK bill stresses the importance of
language development for all students in the Commonwealth to prepare them to be competitive in the global economy. This
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bill gives school districts the flexibility to choose high-quality, research-based programs that meet the needs of English
Language Learners (ELLs). It also encourage programs that help all students — both ELLs and English speakers — to build
their language skills, a valuable asset in the 21st century global economy. The bill includes the (identical) text as the Seal of
Biliteracy bill, giving us two opportunities to seek the Seal’s passage.
 LOOK Bill Fact Sheet: https://languageopportunity.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/look-bill-fact-sheet-sep2016-revised.pdf
RESOURCES:
 National Seal of Biliteracy Website: www.sealofbiliteracy.org
 Guidelines for Implementing the Seal of Biliteracy:
https://www.actfl.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/SealofBiliteracyGuidelines_0.pdf
 Massachusetts Language Opportunity Coalition Website: www.languageopportunity.org
 Partnership for a New American Economy: 6/21/16 “Demand for Bilingual Workers in Massachusetts More than Doubled in 5
Years, Report Shows:” http://www.renewoureconomy.org/issues/demographics/demand-for-bilingual-workers-inmassachusetts-more-than-doubled-in-5-years-report-shows/
ARTICLES USES WITH LEGISLATORS AND TO UPDATE MEMBERSHIP:
 “Nearly Half of U.S. States Offer Special Recognition for Bilingual” 9/28/16 http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/learning-thelanguage/2016/09/nearly_half_of_us_states_recog.html
 “Language Learning Bill Still in Play, Backers Differ Over Its Odds” 9/7/16
http://www.lowellsun.com/breakingnews/ci_30338189/language-learning-bill-still-play-backers-differ-over
 “Flexibility Needed in Educating English Language Learners: One-Size-Fits-All Sheltered English Immersion Is Not Serving All
Students Well:” 7/29/16 http://commonwealthmagazine.org/education/flexibility-needed-in-educating-english-languagelearners/
 “Rethinking Language Immersion:” 5/27/16 http://www.everettindependent.com/2016/05/27/rethinking-languageimmersion/
 “Mass. Should Follow Utah’s Path on Bilingual Education:” (Letter to the Editor) 4/11/16:
 “Push on to Get Recognition for Students who Master Foreign Languages:” 4/11/16
http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/04/10/push-get-recognition-for-high-school-students-who-master-foreignlanguages/BHLQqAUYXUlh2amAbt614J/story.html
 “In a Global Economy, Mass. Lags in Teaching Languages:” 4/4/16 http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/04/03/globaleconomy-mass-lags-teaching-foreign-languages/HO2IL1ddRvYMZ7BYuiSElL/story.html?p1=Article_Related_Box_Article
 “Which Job Seekers Are in Hot Demand? Bilingual Workers” 3/13/17
https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2017/03/12/wanted-bilingual-workers/t8C9txqPmwCtIGDHX1jSTI/story.html
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Action Discussion - Seal of Biliteracy
10 Steps to the Seal of Biliteracy for Foreign Language, ESL, Immersion and Dual Language Teachers
Determine your ISSUE: Your issue should be specific and clear, align with your organization’s mission, and be realistically
addressed through advocacy goal(s) within 1-5 years.
Our district does not award the Seal of Biliteracy (yet).
Determine your GOAL: Your advocacy goal should be your policy solution to the issue, or what you’d like a policymaker to do to
address it. Your goal should describe the change you would like to see, how change will happen, the timeframe, and which
institution(s) need to act.
Our district will award the Seal of Biliteracy (Attainment) by June 2018.
Tasks to achieve your goal. Break your goal into smaller, measurable tasks and plan how to ensure the task is completed.
What are your SMART Tasks*?
(and guiding questions) Include
your responses under the
italicized text.
Task 1
Determine
stakeholders
Who will perform
the Task? (* if
this is in sphere
+1, ** if sphere
+2)
When is the
Deadline for
this Task?
How can you help
to facilitate this
task
?
Why are you
performing this
Task?
How can you collaborate with
world language, ESL, dual
language and/or immersion
teachers to create an inclusive
and comprehensive award of the
Seal?
Who determines graduation and
award policy?
Who facilitates technology?
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Who determines testing policies?
Who is in charge of your award
ceremony?
Task 2
Determine
accolades
system in
place
Task 3
Determine
proficiency
philosophy
Task 4
How do we celebrate dual
language achievement?
To what extent do seniors
participate in language
programming?
How to inform students and
parents and get them excited
about the Seal?
How/what/when to present to
administration?
How does your department
document and celebrate
proficiency growth toward targets
in English and/or the foreign
language?
Does your department teach for
proficiency?
Does your department have
proficiency goal targets?
Do you teach for proficiency?
How can other levels of
programming
(elementary/middle/high school)
be involved in the Seal
preparation and award?
Determine
your allies
Who is already teaching for
proficiency?
Who is most likely to support the
Seal?
Who do you know in other
districts who can help you?
Task 5
What groups of students need to
.
**
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Determine
proficiency
assessment
Task 6
Determine
funding
source for
testing
Task 7
Inform
students
and parents
of the test
Task 8
Decide how
you will
administer
the test
Task 9
Determine
how you will
access the
ELA MCAS
data
be tested?
What languages do you offer?
What is your access to
technology?
What are any rules governing
testing?
Will you use AVANT STAMP, LTI
ALIRA, LTI AAPPL?
Does your department have
money for funding tests?
Is there an outside agency that
provides funding?
Students pay for the test?
Does your district have a taco
talk?
Do students know about
proficiency?
What kind of testing are students
used to?
How do you connect with
students? Email? Webiste? blog?
Who will you be testing? - all
seniors? Seniors who apply?
In school?
Saturday?
After school?
Who will proctor the test?
Is there a database in your SIS?
Does guidance have that
information?
Vice principals?
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Task 10
Determine
how you will
award
biliteracy
Will you use a seal on diploma?
Will you award a pin?
Will you make a notation in the
graduation program?
Will you have an awards
ceremony for FL?
Will you have an awards
ceremony for seniors?
*SMART stands for Specific, Measureable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-based.
**Click on the last row/column and press “TAB” to create new rows if you need to add more tasks.
*Adapted from the Assembly of the Delegates, ACTFL 2016
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