1. Promoting the Seal of Biliteracy: The Massachusetts Model of Collaboration
Kimberly Talbot, Melrose High School, MaFLA,
Nicole Sherf, Salem State University, MaFLA,
MABE Dual Language Conference
Saturday March 25, 2017, 2:15PM – 3:35PM, Room B202
Windham Middle School, Willimantic, CT

2. 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?

3. 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!

4. MABE/MATSOL/MaFLA/MIRA Collaboration Language Opportunity Coalition

5. Seal Presentation at ACTFL in Boston

6. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. The Seal and the Business Community
hics/demand-for-bilingual-workers-in-massachusetts- more-than-doubled-in-5-years-report-shows

11. 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.

12. Beauty of the Seal of Biliteracy

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

14. Shift to Proficiency

15. ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines

16. 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

17. New Paradigm for Shift:

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

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

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

21. 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

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

23. Questions?
I can explain the legislative process in MA.

24. 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

25. 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

26. MA Seal Workgroup: Tiers of Seal Awards

27. MA Seal Workgroup: Tiers of Seal Awards

28. 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

29. 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.

30. 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

31. MA Seal Workgroup: Additional Consideration for ELL Students

32. MA Seal Workgroup: Exemplars and FAQs Discussions
This year, we’re tackling a Frequently Asked Question at meetings and bringing in participants of the 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?...

33. 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)

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

35. MA Pilot 2015-6 and 2016-17 There is power in numbers!
In , the Coalition purchased Seal Pins in bulk to save the Pilot districts money.
In , 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.

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

37. 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

38. In a State Without a Seal, Who Can Support You?
ACTFL organizes Capwizes: Trey Calvin,
JNCL-NCLIS will help with testimony at your State House: Bill Rivers,
Partnership for a New American Economy: Dan Wallace,
Academic Learning Company, Arthur Chou,

39. 10 Steps to the Seal of Biliteracy

40. 10 Tasks as SMART Goals

41. 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?

42. 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?

43. 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?

44. 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?

45. 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?

46. 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?

47. 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? ? Website? blog?

48. 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?

49. 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?

50. 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?

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

52. Share Your Take Aways from this Session:

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

55. Questions?
Kimberly Talbot, Melrose High School, MaFLA,
Therese Caccavale, Holliston Public Schools,
Nicole Sherf, Salem State University, MaFLA,

56. 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.

57. Sticker Photo Bomb!