[ Section impacted by 2021, 29, Sec. 58 as amended by 2021, 102, Sec. 69 effective July 29, 2021, in order to address disruptions caused by the outbreak of COVID-19.]
Section 1Q. The board of elementary and secondary education shall establish a state seal of biliteracy to be awarded by school districts to students who have attained a high level of proficiency in English and not less than 1 other language in addition to English. To qualify for the seal, a student shall meet criteria established by the board.
The criteria shall include, but shall not be limited to attainment of a specified level of performance on: (i) the tenth grade English language arts exams of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System; and (ii) not less than 1 nationally recognized and readily available assessments that measure literacy in a language other than English or an equivalent alternative that the board may establish.
The department shall develop an insignia to be affixed to the diploma or transcript of a student who has been awarded a state seal of biliteracy and make the insignia available to school districts in an electronic format for the preparation of diplomas.
A school district that awards the state seal of biliteracy shall maintain appropriate records to identify students who have earned a state seal of biliteracy and affix the appropriate insignia to the diploma or transcript of a student who earns a state seal of biliteracy.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part I - Administration of the Government
Chapter 69 - Powers and Duties of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Section 1.5 - Applicability of Sec. 2 of Chapter 70 to This Chapter
Section 1a - Department of Elementary and Secondary Education; Commissioner; Duties
Section 1b - Board of Elementary and Secondary Education; Duties
Section 1d - Statewide Educational Goals; Academic Standards; Vocational Training; Grant Program
Section 1e - Curriculum Frameworks
Section 1g - Minimum Length of School Day and School Year
Section 1h - Adult Basic Education and Literacy Services System; Grants; Objectives
Section 1m - Discretionary Grant Program
Section 1n - Alternative Education Grant Program
Section 1o - Truancy Prevention Program Certification Process
Section 1p - Safe and Supportive Schools Framework
Section 1q - State Seal of Biliteracy; Award; Criteria
Section 1r - Financial Literacy Standards; Establishment and Implementation
Section 2 - Statement of Amounts Spent for Vocational Schools; Annual Report
Section 4 - Compilation of Statistics as to Certain Institutions
Section 6 - Teachers; Applications for Positions; Qualifications
Section 8 - Use of School Buildings
Section 8a - Medical Emergency Response Plans; Model Plan
Section 9 - Classes for Illiterates and Foreigners
Section 9a - Establishment of Class
Section 10 - Reimbursement for Expenditures
Section 10a - Education for American Citizenship; Director
Section 11 - Powers and Duties of the Division of Immigration and Americanization
Section 30 - Approval of Organization Certificate or Charter Amendments; Periodic Inspections
Section 31 - Prerequisites to Approval of Organization Certificate or Charter Amendments
Section 36 - Use of Cultural Organizations by Schools and Community Organizations; Grants