Q: What is the New York State Seal of Biliteracy?
A: The New York State Seal of Biliteracy (NYSSB) was established to recognize high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in the three modes of communication (Interpretive, Interpersonal, Presentational) in English and one or more world languages. These modes are inclusive of the skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing, all of which have been updated with the adoption of the NYS Learning Standards for World Languages (2021).
Q: What is the intent of the NYSSB?
A: The intent of the NYSSB is to:
- affirm the value of diversity in a multilingual society;
- encourage the study of languages;
- identify high school graduates with language and biliteracy skills for employers;
- provide universities with additional information about applicants seeking admission;
- prepare students with twenty-first century skills; and
- recognize the value of world and home language instruction.
These goals are consistent with the Regents Reform Agenda of ensuring that all New York State students graduate college-, career-, and civic-ready.
Q: Why should districts implement a NYSSB program?
A: The NYSSB acknowledges the importance of being bilingual in today’s global society. It highlights the hard work and achievement of students, and encourages them to pursue language study while in school. The recognition of attaining biliteracy becomes part of the high school transcript and diploma for these students and is a statement of accomplishment for future employers and for college admission. The NYSSB promotes and strengthens robust English and World Language programs. In addition, the NYSSB positively contributes to the school's “College, Career, and Civic Readiness (CCCR)” score in the same way as Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses and the Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation.
Q: What is the College, Career, and Civic Readiness (CCCR) level score?
A: According to Understanding the New York State Accountability System under the Every Student Succeeds Acts (ESSA), “The College, Career, and Civic Readiness indicator uses diplomas, credentials, advanced course credits and enrollment, Career and Technical TV (CTE) certifications, and indicators such as a Seal of Biliteracy or participation in a Smart Scholars program to determine how a school is preparing its students to be ready for college, a career, and civic engagement once the students leave the school. For each accountability subgroup, a CCCR Index, which ranges from 0 to 200, is calculated by awarding extra credit for students who demonstrate higher levels of readiness as well as partial credit for students who complete a High School Equivalency certificate. The formula for computing the CCCR Index is as follows:
- Denominator: The number of students in the 4-year cohort as of June 30th of the reporting year + the number of ELL students not in the 4-year cohort who earned a Regents diploma with a Seal of Biliteracy in the current reporting year.
- Numerator: The sum of the number of students in the denominator demonstrating success on each of the specific readiness measures multiplied by the weighting assigned to each of these measures in accordance with the table below. Note that students receiving a High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma in the reporting year are included in the numerator but not the denominator.
Q: Which schools can offer the NYSSB?
A: All public and charter high schools that offer 12th grade may have a NYSSB program. In addition, non-public high schools that are registered with the of NYSED to award the NYS Regents Diploma may have a NYSSB program. In order to award the NYSSB, a school must offer the NYS Regents Diploma, which is a foundational requirement to earn the NYSSB. Schools that do not offer the NYS Regents Diploma may explore the option of the Global Seal of Biliteracy as an alternative pathway. Click for more information on the Global Seal.
Q: Who can receive the NYSSB?
A: The NYSSB may be granted to any graduating student who attends a district that offers the NYSSB and meets the criteria for the award set forth by NYSED by the end of the academic year (August) in which they graduate.
Q: When can the NYSSB be awarded?
A: While students may begin working toward the NYSSB prior to the year in which they will graduate, the NYSSB can only be awarded upon graduation. For instance, a student could earn points in English and/or a world language in grades 9 through 11, however the student would only be awarded the NYSSB in the year in which they graduate. Students who receive exam scores necessary for points toward the NYSSB after June graduation are able to receive the Seal through August of their graduating year. Students who graduate in August are eligible to earn the NYSSB if all points are accrued by graduation.
Q: Who awards the NYSSB to students?
A: The NYSSB is an award given by the Commissioner through a participating school, district, or county office of education that formally recognizes students who have attained a high level of proficiency in English and one or more world languages by high school graduation.
Q: In which languages can a student earn the NYSSB?
A: The NYSSB is intended for all students who can demonstrate a high level of proficiency in both English and any other world language. Any human language in which a student can demonstrate the required proficiency qualifies towards the NYSSB. This includes languages taught in schools, as well home languages that may or may not be taught in schools. Any version of English may be used to satisfy the English requirements of the NYSSB when combined with another world language. Students can earn the NYSSB in multiple languages. For example, a student can earn the NYSSB in English and in both Spanish and Catalan, since these last two are distinct languages.
Q: Are there costs to districts or students related to the NYSSB?
A: NYSED provides the seals and medallions free of charge to all participating schools for the number of verified NYSSB candidates who are graduating.All costs other than the seal and medallion are borne by the district (e.g., approved Checkpoint C assessments other than AP and IB exams, interpreters/translators) and may not be passed on to the student. If a student chooses to take one of the approved assessments for criterion 1D or 2D, that cost is borne by the district the student attends. AP and IB exams are not covered under this statement as they apply to both coursework and an exam and often permit the student to earn college credit based on their score. Seal Coordinators should identify potential NYSSB candidates as early as possible prior to their graduating year so as to be able to put together a budget for exams needed to earn the NYSSB. Districts may choose to incur discretionary costs to offer the NYSSB including additional graduation regalia (e.g., honor cords) and costs related to awards ceremonies.
Q: Who provides the physical seal and any graduation regalia to the students?
A: NYSED provides the official seal to be placed directly on student diplomas as well as the medallions for students to wear at graduation at no cost to participating districts. In addition, a certificate template is provided to schools to print for all Seal earners.
Q: What do the Seals and the medallions look like?
A: The Seal is one-inch in diameter with the image of the official New York State Seal of Biliteracy and must be placed on the student's diploma. The medallion is one-inch in diameter, mounted on a brushed gold metal disc with a yellow ribbon. The medallion may be worn by students at their official graduation ceremony or other recognition events.
Q: Can a student earn the NYSSB if the district the student attends does not offer the NYSSB?
A: No. In order to earn the NYSSB, a student must attend a district that offers the NYSSB. Students who attend districts that do not offer the NYSSB should speak to their school counselor or language teacher to inquire about the possibility of starting such a program. If that is not a possibility, students can look into earning the .
Q: To get more information on and/or to ask questions about the NYSSB, which office do I contact?
A: For more information on the NYSSB:
- Contact the Office of Bilingual TV and World Languages (OBEWL) at NYSED [obewl@nysed.gov; (518) 473-7505].
- The NYSSB Guidance Toolkit is a series of informational modules that guide districts through the process of implementing and expanding their NYSSB programs. Click here to access the modules.
- Each Regional Bilingual TV Resource Network (RBERN) has a Resource Specialist designated to support districts who are offering or wish to offer the NYSSB.
