LYNN — Rania Caldwell, the public school district’s director of English Learner Education, attributes increased interest and earlier testing for the significant uptick in the number of high school students who earned the seal of biliteracy this year.
One hundred and thirty-five students have earned the seal of biliteracy and 45 students have earned the seal with distinction this school year.
Two students earned the seal in two languages, a first for the Lynn Public Schools, bringing the numbers up to 137 seals awarded this year, Caldwell said.
Although the vast majority of seals, or 129, were awarded to students who demonstrated proficiency in both English and Spanish — 65.9 percent of the student body is Hispanic — seals were also awarded in five other partner languages: French, Arabic, Mandarin, Portuguese, and Korean, Caldwell said.
By comparison, 78 students earned the seal of biliteracy and five students earned it with distinction last school year, the first year the seal was offered in the district.
“Last year was really the first year of implementation of the seal of biliteracy,” said Caldwell. “We didn’t receive a lot of guidance about what implementation looked like until the winter.”
Based on that experience, Caldwell said the district took a different approach this time around, which consisted of testing students earlier in the school year.
High school seniors earned the seal this year based on assessments given in November. By comparison, late guidance prevented students from being tested until the spring last year.
Students also saw the excitement surrounding the seal last year, Caldwell said, explaining that the first round of students who earned the seal were celebrated during a School Committee meeting and there were media articles about their achievement.
“The staff and the kids saw it was kind of a big deal to earn the seal — a lot more students participated and we tested them earlier in the year,” said Caldwell. “I think it developed a different desire to participate in the program.”
Ayat Ould-Sahraouia, a senior at Lynn English High School, was one of two students to earn the seal of biliteracy in two languages this year.
The other student, Lynn Classical senior Genesis Beato, earned the seal in French and Spanish, with distinction in the latter language.
Ould-Sahraouia, 17, is fluent in both Arabic and French, and was able to earn the seal after demonstrating proficiency in both languages.
As someone of American and Moroccan descent, Ould-Sahraouia started speaking Arabic and French when she was sent to live in Morocco at 5 years old.
The two languages, Arabic first and then French, are commonly spoken in Morocco, where she was raised for nine years before returning to the United States, Ould-Sahraouia said.
Citing the advantages of speaking three languages during her upbringing, Ould-Sahraouia said she did not have any trouble with the assessments she had to take to earn the seal.
She said her teachers had recommended that she take the test because it would help with her future, in terms of giving her an advantage by showing that she could speak multiple languages.
It was especially nice to be one of the first two students to earn two seals of biliteracy in Lynn, Ould-Sahraouia said.
“It’s a nice feeling,” said Ould-Sahraouia. “Honestly, I feel blessed. I feel grateful and so thankful. I feel really happy. If I had to say one word about it, I would say thank you to the people who gave us an opportunity like this. Having two seals says I am a person who speaks fluently (in) Arabic and French. It makes me feel special.”
To earn the seal, students have to demonstrate proficiency in both English and a second language. Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) scores are used to determine English proficiency, meaning students have to meet graduation requirements for English Language Arts.
For the world languages, an additional assessment in the partner languages tests a student’s proficiency in reading, writing, listening and speaking.
Students can also take an alternative world language assessment via a phone interview or portfolio, which are offered to students who are vying to earn a seal in a “low incidence language.”
Students have to achieve higher scores on both assessments to earn the seal of biliteracy with distinction. For example, students need to pass the ELA MCAS to earn the regular seal, but must score at or above the advanced threshold to earn the distinction.
In lieu of year-end celebrations and events being canceled due to the early closure, students who earned the seal will be recognized at their “Walk the Stage” outdoor graduation ceremony in August. Their certificates have been delivered, along with silver cords that can be worn with their caps and gowns, Caldwell said.
The seal will also be affixed to their high school transcripts, which is meant to look attractive to prospective employers and colleges.
As someone who makes hiring decisions, Caldwell said demonstrated proficiency in another language is a good attribute to have when applying for jobs. She said people in the community have expressed that they value the program and kids who speak another language.
“I think it’s a great program and the goal is bilingualism and biliteracy and I think the seal offers that,” said Caldwell. “The dual language program we’re adding in the fall adds another layer to that and gives students the opportunity to become bilingual and biliterate.”
When speaking of this year’s round of students, Superintendent Dr. Patrick Tutwiler said he places a high value on the notion of finishing strong, which he said shows character and commitment.
“Lynn continues to be a leader statewide in this area,” said Tutwiler, referring to the seal. “My hat is tipped to this group of students for their commitment and their stick-to-it-ness, grit, if you will. It will serve them well in the years to come.”
