Seal of Biliteracy

Westford Academy has participated in the Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy program since 2020 and to date, students have received the Seal in languages such as Arabic, French, German, Hebrew, Hungarian, Japanese, Latin, Mandarin, Portuguese, Spanish, and Tamil. Several students have earned the Seal in two languages, both a language studied at WA and a heritage language that they have learned from their family. Thirty seven members of the class of 2023 were awarded the Seal of Biliteracy at graduation in June. 

WHAT:  The Seal of Biliteracy is awarded to students who demonstrate literacy in two or more languages, a partner language as well as English.  It encourages students to develop their language skills and expand their cultural understandings to be better prepared to enter the workforce and contribute to a global society. 

WHO:  Seniors who meet the criteria will receive the Seal of Biliteracy or the Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction upon graduation.  In addition to having the Seal affixed to your diploma and recorded on your official transcript, students will be recognized at the Senior Awards Breakfast, have the distinction noted in the graduation program, and wear an honor chord at graduation

HOW:  The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has outlined the criteria students must meet to earn this accolade.  To measure proficiency in English, students must earn a qualifying score of at least 472 on the 10th grade ELA MCAS or the ACCESS test (English Language Learners only).  To measure proficiency in the partner language, students must earn a qualifying score on a state-approved assessment (STAMP or ALIRA) or district-approved portfolio (for languages for which there is not yet a state-approved assessment).   

WHEN:  Students should pay attention to deadlines and testing windows. 

• By Friday, December 22, 2023:  Submit the completed Google Form Application which will be live after December 4. If you are uncertain if you are sufficiently proficient in the different modes of communication in the language you plan to test, please see sample exams at the STAMP website (Take the STAMP 4S exam) or talk with a language teacher.
• By Friday, January 13, 2024:  Submit payment for the exam. Checks should be made out to Westford Academy with "SofB Test" written in the subject line. The cost will depend on the language being tested but will be approximately $25. Students who qualify for free and reduced lunch are not required to pay.
• February -March 10, 2024:  Exams will be administered to seniors during designated times either during or after school.

WHERE:  All testing will take place in the WA Language Lab (room 120) .  Assessments are computer-based.

WHY:  To recognize years of effort and perseverance, certify your attainment of biliteracy skills, provide employers and universities with evidence of your language skills, and honor the multiple languages and cultures in our community. 

  Please contact the World Language Curriculum Coordinator at sdevlin@westfordk12.us or in room 105A with questions.

Additional Information and Resources:

• MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Seal of Biliteracy FAQs:  
• FAQ for Westford Academy