2021 Massachusetts General Laws
Part I - Administration of the Government
Title XII - Education
Chapter 69 - Powers and Duties of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Section 1q - State Seal of Biliteracy; Award; Criteria
[ Section impacted by 2021, 29, Sec. 58 as amended by 2021, 102, Sec. 69 effective July 29, 2021, in order to address disruptions caused by the outbreak of COVID-19.]
Section 1Q. 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.
