Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy

Dear PPS Students, Parents, and Guardians,

We are pleased to inform you of Peabody Public School’s participation in the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy beginning the 2022-2023 School Year. The Seal of Biliteracy is offered to any student who demonstrates proficiency in English and any other language, whether they speak or sign the language other than English at home or learned it at school or in the community. We look forward to honoring the language expertise and diversity in our district through this initiative. 

The State Seal of Biliteracy aims to:

1. Encourage students to study and master languages;
2. Certify attainment of biliteracy skills;
3. Recognize the value of language diversity;
4. Provide employers with a method of identifying people with language and biliteracy skills;
5. Provide universities with a method to recognize and give credit to applicants for attainment of high-level skills in languages;
6. Prepare students with skills that will benefit them in the labor market and the global society; and
7. Strengthen intergroup communication and honor the multiple cultures and languages in a community.

In order to earn the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy, students must: 

1. Demonstrate a high level of proficiency in English by earning a score of 472 or higher on the Grade 10 ELA MCAS, OR
2. Earn a scaled score between 455 and 471 on the Grade 10 ELA MCAS test or retest AND fulfill the requirements of an Educational Proficiency Plan AND attain 4.2 overall and 3.9 literacy composite score on the ACCESS for ELLs, AND
3. Demonstrate a high level of proficiency in a world language by attaining a minimum score equivalent to Intermediate-High on an assessment approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, AND
4. Satisfy all other graduation requirements.

In addition, a Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction is available to students who:

1. Earn a score of 501 or higher on the Grade 10 ELA MCAS
2. Demonstrate a proficiency level of Advanced Low or higher on a Department-approved assessment, and
3. Satisfy all other graduation requirements.

We will be administering the Avant STAMPTM (Standards-based Measurement of Proficiency 4S or WS) in April, 2023 (specific dates to be determined). Students who meet the qualifying criteria and score a minimum of Intermediate-High on each domain of the STAMP test will be recognized for their multilingualism and have the Seal of Biliteracy affixed to their diplomas at graduation.  

To express your interest in taking the STAMP test,  or if you have additional questions, please complete this pre-registration form. The school will notify interested students if they are on track to meet the qualifying MCAS and graduation criteria, as well as provide further instructions to register for the April testing session if they wish to participate. 

Thank you,

Deb Jackson

Director of English Learner Education & World Languages

Peabody Public Schools

978-536-4520

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