Promoting the Seal of Biliteracy: The Massachusetts Model of Collaboration http://bit.ly/2nQW09c Kimberly Talbot, Melrose High School, MaFLA, ktalbot@melroseschools.com Nicole Sherf, Salem State University, MaFLA, sherf.nicole@gmail.com MABE Dual Language Conference Saturday March 25, 2017, 2:15PM – 3:35PM, Room B202 Windham Middle School, Willimantic, CT

Help Us Orient to this Audience: How many of you are here to learn what a Seal is? How many of you are from MA? CT? Where else? What level do you teach? Elementary? Middle? High School? How many of you are from states that have enacted Seal of Biliteracy legislation? How many of you have already started Seal implementation in your school, district or state? How many people feel they’re in a good position to move the Seal forward in their district?

Promoting the Seal of Biliteracy: The Massachusetts Model of Collaboration Abstract: In this session, presenters will demonstrate the unique model of collaboration instituted in Massachusetts among the three major language organizations, MATSOL, MABE and MaFLA, in order to promote the Seal of Biliteracy. The unique products of this workgroup include levels of Seal achievement, a Seal Toolkit, and a Seal Pilot model. Join the movement!

MABE/MATSOL/MaFLA/MIRA Collaboration Language Opportunity Coalition

Seal Presentation at ACTFL in Boston

Objectives: I can describe the Seal of Biliteracy and the national Seal movement. I can articulate why is the Seal is so important for our profession and our students. I can explain the legislative process in MA. I can can list the various elements of the pilot in MA as a model of collaborative implementation of the Seal. I can explain the 10 steps to implement a Seal in my District.

What Is the Seal of Biliteracy? The Seal of Biliteracy recognizes high school graduates for proficiency in English and at least one other foreign language with a seal on the high school diploma.

of the Seal: The Seal is a national effort that places the focus on the importance of celebrating and rewarding biliteracy. The Seal has the potential to transform programming. The Seal provides evidence to universities and businesses that our students have attained this crucial college and career readiness and twenty-first century skill.

The Seal and the Business Community http://www.renewoureconomy.org/issues/demograp hics/demand-for-bilingual-workers-in-massachusetts- more-than-doubled-in-5-years-report-shows

Benefits of the Seal at the the Programmatic Level: The Seal gives districts a common focus on proficiency and encourages them to set proficiency goals K-12. The rewarding of the Seal at the district level provides a means to recognize students, and promote accomplishments that are nationally recognizable. Many states are creating a process by which college credit can be given for Seal attainment at the high school level.

Beauty of the Seal of Biliteracy

Questions? I can describe the Seal of Biliteracy and the national Seal movement.

Shift to Proficiency

ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines

Tests for Proficiency: Language Testing International: AAPPL: ACTFL Assessment of Performance Toward Proficiency in Languages Avant Assessment: STAMP: STAndards-based Measurement of Proficiency Portfolio: Documentation of proficiency and other criteria

New Paradigm for Shift:

Guidelines for Implementing the Seal of Biliteracy Result of an historic national collaboration between ACTFL, NCSSFL, NABE and TESOL Released March 10, 2015 https://www.actfl.org/sites/default/files /pdfs/SealofBiliteracyGuidelines_0.pdf Designated a minimum target proficiency level of Intermediate Mid based on ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines Recommended use Linguafolio

The Seal of Biliteracy is Sweeping the Nation! http://sealofbiliteracy.org 23 States and DC have enacted Seal legislation! All being implemented at the state level with slightly varying state requirements

Questions? I can articulate why is the Seal is so important for our profession and out students.

MA Legislative Process: Bilateral Approach to Biliteracy “Stand Alone” Seal of Biliteracy Legislation An Act Relative to Language Opportunity for Our Kids (LOOK) Bill with same Seal of Biliteracy Provision In third 2-year legislative session attempt in MA

The MA Language Opportunity Coalition: www.languageopportunity.org Creation of the Seal Workgroup for the 2015-16 Pilot

Questions? I can explain the legislative process in MA.

Seal Implementation is Voluntary in Districts Legislation is not necessary to implement but legislation make the Seal impact more powerful Word of mouth spreads the exciting news between districts about the Seal pilot

Who Is the Seal Workgroup? Steering Committee: Phyllis Hardy, Nicole Sherf, Kim Talbot World Language Coordinators ELL Directors Dual Language Program Coordinators Immersion Program Coordinators College Program Coordinators Teachers from all the above programs

MA Seal Workgroup: Tiers of Seal Awards

MA Seal Workgroup: Tiers of Seal Awards

MA Seal Workgroup: Documentation for the Seal Levels English: Proficiency score on MCAS, PARCC, MCAS 2.0 For elementary or middle school ELLs: ACCESS Level 5 or higher Partner Language Examples of assessments used: SOPA, SOLOM, APRENDA, DRA, DWA, RIGBY, AAPPL, IB

MA Seal Workgroup: Alternative Portfolio Documentation What? 3-5 benchmark performances that demonstrate target proficiency across the 3 modes. Why? If it’s elementary or if there’s not a test available for the language or if the department wants to include a self-assessment piece. Who Reviews? A team of teachers, leaders, community members.

MA Seal Workgroup: Additional Criteria Considerations Community service utilizing the partner language Reading logs of books in the partner language A written paper in the partner language A written essay on the importance of bilingualism Oral presentation about the importance of bilingualism in careers A report or log about cultural events attendance Participation in foreign language association student contests

MA Seal Workgroup: Additional Consideration for ELL Students

MA Seal Workgroup: Exemplars and FAQs Discussions This year, we’re tackling a Frequently Asked Question at meetings and bringing in participants of the 2015- 16 pilot to present exemplars and processes that can be imitated or adapted. For example: Can we participate if the legislation hasn’t passed yet? What is the determination of the proficiency level? Who can/should use a portfolio? When to use? Who reviews/evaluates the portfolio? When should assessment occur? What will the actual Seal look like?...

2015-16 Pilot Results: 300+ Seals Were Awarded in 8 School Districts 19 Platinum Seals (Advanced-Low) 55 Gold Seals (Intermediate-High) 208 Silver Seals (Intermediate-Mid) 32 Biliteracy Atainment Awards (Elementary School - Intermediate Low)

MA 2015-16 Pilot Flier: https://languageopportunity. files. wordpress

MA Pilot 2015-6 and 2016-17 There is power in numbers! In 2015-16, the Coalition purchased Seal Pins in bulk to save the Pilot districts money. In 2016-17, the Workgroup is discussing bulk purchase of the STAMP and AAPPL to get a better price. Creation of resources and starting to standardize practices for when legislation passes.

Questions? I can can explain the various elements of the pilot in MA as a model of collaborative implementation of the Seal.

Lessons Learned: There is power in numbers Collaboration with ELL groups strengthens message and broadens impact as well as target recipients of award Collaboration with pilot supports the creation of resources Documentation and creation of resources support new districts as they enter the pilot

In a State Without a Seal, Who Can Support You? ACTFL organizes Capwizes: Trey Calvin, tcalvin@actfl.org JNCL-NCLIS will help with testimony at your State House: Bill Rivers, wrivers@languagepolicy.org Partnership for a New American Economy: Dan Wallace, dan@renewoureconomy.org Academic Learning Company, Arthur Chou, achou@academiclearningcompany.com

10 Steps to the Seal of Biliteracy

10 Tasks as SMART Goals

Task # 1 Determine stakeholders How can you collaborate with world language, ESL, dual language and/or immersion teachers to create an inclusive and comprehensive award of the Seal? Who determines graduation and award policy? Who facilitates technology? Who determines testing policies? Who is in charge of your award ceremony?

Task # 2 Determine accolades system in place How do we celebrate dual language achievement? To what extent do seniors participate in language programming? How to inform students and parents and get them excited about the Seal? How/what/when to present to administration? How does your department document and celebrate proficiency growth toward English and/or the foreign language targets?

Task # 3 Determine proficiency philosophy Does your department teach for proficiency? Does your department have proficiency goal targets? Do you teach for proficiency? How can other levels of programming (elementary/middle/high school) be involved in the Seal preparation and award?

Task # 4 Determine your allies Who is already teaching for proficiency? Who is most likely to support the Seal? Who do you know in other districts who can help you?

Task # 5 Determine proficiency assessment What groups of students need to be tested? What languages do you offer? What is your access to technology? What are any rules governing testing? Will you use AVANT STAMP, LTI ALIRA, LTI AAPPL?

Task # 6 Determine funding source for testing Does your department have money for funding? Is there an outside agency that provides funding? Students pay for the test?

Task # 7 Inform students and parents of the test Does your district have a taco talk? Do students know about proficiency? What kind of testing are students used to? How do you connect with students? Email? Website? blog?

Task # 8 Decide how you will administer the test Who will you be testing? - all seniors? Seniors who apply? In school? Saturday? After school? Who will proctor the test?

Task # 9 Determine how you will access the ELA MCAS data Is there a database in your SIS? Does guidance have that information? Vice principals?

Task # 10 Determine how you will award biliteracy Will you use a seal on diploma? Will you award a pin? Will you make a notation in the graduation program? Will you have an awards ceremony for FL? Will you have an awards ceremony for seniors?

Questions? I can list the steps to implement a Seal in my District.

Share Your Take Aways from this Session:

Stay Informed! @MaFLAonline @MelroseFL @BiliteracySeal Language Opportunity Coalition MaFLA #2bilit2quit #SealofBiliteracy Mafla.org Mabe.org Matsol.org LanguageOpportunity.org

Questions? Kimberly Talbot, Melrose High School, MaFLA, ktalbot@melroseschools.com Therese Caccavale, Holliston Public Schools, caccavalet@holliston.k12.ma.us Nicole Sherf, Salem State University, MaFLA, sherf.nicole@gmail.com

Objectives: I can describe the Seal of Biliteracy and the national Seal movement. I can articulate why is the Seal is so important for our profession and our students. I can explain the legislative process in MA. I can can list the various elements of the pilot in MA as a model of collaborative implementation of the Seal. I can explain the 10 steps to implement a Seal in my District.

Sticker Photo Bomb!