LYNNFIELD — Lynnfield High School is rolling out a program to honor students with proficiency in multiple languages, joining many other communities in Massachusetts offering the Seal of Biliteracy program.
“This has been in the works for quite a while and we are super excited for our high school students,” said Director of Teaching and Learning Kevin Cyr. “This is something in terms of college that can open up some doors and we are confident that we will have quite a few students that will qualify. It’s quite an honor and (students) should be recognized for their achievement and we also hope that this will be an incentive for the district’s youngest learners in terms of their desire to study other languages.”
The Seal of Biliteracy program recognizes students who have demonstrated proficiency in more than one language. Its insignia is affixed to the diploma and/or transcript to indicate the student’s achievement.
“It gives us the chance to recognize our graduates as it takes a lot of hard work to be proficient in a second language both socially and academically,” said Jodie Leibowitz, World Languages Department chair.
The program provides encouragement for students to master languages and reinforces recognition of the value of language diversity as an asset.
School Committee member Phil McQueen said being skilled in a second language has not always been viewed as a positive.
“I’ve seen this for 22 years, so this is a big shift for the state in the right direction in terms of seeing this as an asset,” he said. “It’s fantastic to be able to offer this.”
The program provides prospective employers with a method of identifying people with language biliteracy and also provides colleges and universities a way to highlight applicants who have attained high-level skills in languages.
The program is touted as a way to help students gain additional skills needed for success in the labor market locally and globally. It helps strengthen intergroup communication and heightens awareness of the community’s many cultures and languages. Other benefits include earning college credits.
Leibowitz said the school is considering providing visual recognition on graduation robes to identify students who have earned the seal.
“We also could also announce it as a way of showing it is a special achievement,” Leibowitz said.
There are two levels of recognition, the Seal of Biliteracy and the Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction. The program has 10 levels of achievement, from novice to superior. Students mastering the first six levels earn the basic seal, while students reaching the seventh earn distinction designation.
“Proficiency means being able to function in authentic, real-life situations,” said Leibowitz, adding that basic seal proficiency would be something just short of storytelling, while the level of proficiency needed to earn distinction status is equivalent to advanced storytelling.
To participate, students must score a minimum of an MCAS score of 240 or 472, depending on the test taken. For English language learners (ELLs), students must score a minimum of 4.2 overall on the ACCESS for ELLs test. Students must also demonstrate high levels of proficiency in world or heritage languages by passing a STAMP test administered at the school.
“The STAMP test doesn’t include a huge number of languages, so students have an option to create a portfolio to show proficiency,” said Meg Valentine, district ELL teacher.
Written notification to parents and/or legal guardians of students who want to participate in the program is required. Valentine said the program will be launched this spring.
The school will be adding a page on its website where students can apply.
“We are very excited and ready to roll this out and welcome anyone who is eligible,” said Leibowitz. “It’s a terrific opportunity for us to acknowledge all the hard work it takes to be proficient at that level in multiple languages.”
“We know we are teaching smart kids in Lynnfield and this is just a great way for them to show how uniquely talented they are,” said School Committee member Rich Sjoberg. “I believe we have at least 19 different languages spoken in Lynnfield schools and this is an opportunity for our students to showcase their achievements.”
Massachusetts is one of approximately 41 states to adopt the Seal Of Biliteracy program, having voted it into law in November 2017.
