New Seal Of Bi-Literacy Notice and Application
Attention Class of 2019! For the first time in Massachusetts, you have the opportunity to earn the MA Seal of Biliteracy, which recognizes students who can speak, listen, read, and write in English and a language other than English. By offering the Seal of Biliteracy, we hope to honor the bilingual student community of the Gill-Montague Regional School District and encourage more students to pursue bilingualism. The purposes of the State Seal of Biliteracy are to: Encourage students to study and master languages; Certify attainment of biliteracy skills; Recognize the value of language diversity; Provide employers with a method of identifying people with language and biliteracy skills; Provide universities with a method to recognize and give credit to applicants for the attainment of high-level skills in languages; Prepare students with skills that will benefit them in the labor market and the global society; and Strengthen intergroup communication and honor the multiple cultures and languages in the community. In order to earn the Seal of Biliteracy, students must meet the ELA graduation requirements that include proficient or advanced on the State MCAS assessment, as well as demonstrate proficiency in a partner language, such as Spanish. When a student meets the criteria to be awarded the MA Seal of Biliteracy, an official state insignia affixed to his/her high school diploma and transcript. If you are interested, please submit an application to Ms. Fortin in guidance by May 10, 2019. We will be offering the partner language assessment in mid-May during the school day, free of charge for any interested seniors.
Click on the Link below for the application