Seal of Biliteracy

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Dear Middle and High School Parents/Guardians,

Weston High School participates in the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy program, which recognizes students who are proficient in at least two languages. Last year 50 Weston High School graduates earned the Seal of Biliteracy by demonstrating high levels of proficiency in English and in at least one world language.

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
  • Strengthen intergroup communication and honor the multiple cultures and languages in a community

There are two levels to the State Seal. The criteria for the State Seal of Biliteracy are:

  • Meet or exceed the Proficient threshold of ELA section of grade 10 MCAS
  • Attain a score or level at the Intermediate-High level of the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines. Weston High School administers the Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL) assessment to measure proficiency in the foreign language. If the assessment is not provided in the foreign language, a Portfolio-Based Alternative Assessment may be an option to satisfy this requirement.

The criteria for the State Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction are:

  • Meet or exceed the Advanced threshold on the ELA grade 10 MCAS
  • Attain a score of Advanced-Low on the Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL).  If the assessment is not provided in the foreign language, a Portfolio-Based Alternative Assessment may be an option to satisfy this requirement.

Seniors who earn this distinction will have the Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy insignia affixed to their Weston High School transcripts and diplomas and will be recognized at Senior Class Day. We encourage all students to continue their study of a world language for all four years of high school as multiple years of language study will provide the best opportunity to earn this award.  Students in AP classes will take a qualifying assessment for the Seal in January or February and will be notified of the results by April. If a student is not in one of our AP classes and would like to test for the Seal of Biliteracy, please have them fill out this Google form by Friday, December 16, 2022.

The Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy is also open to all students whose first language is not English. We encourage all English Language Learners to complete their English Language Development courses and continue practicing their reading and writing skills in their English classes. 

Please contact Ms. Kathleen Baker, K-12 Director of World Languages, for more information at bakerk@weston.org. 

Best,

Kimo Carter, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching & Learning

Paul Peri, Principal, Weston High School

Kathy Baker, K-12 Director of World Languages