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World Languages

World Languages

Criteria to Earn the NYSSB

The New York State Seal of Biliteracy (NYSSB) is an award given to students who can demonstrate a high level of proficiency in English and one or more other world languages by high school graduation.Ìý To earn the NYSSB, students must demonstrate Intermediate High proficiency in English and the required level of proficiency in one or more world languages set forth by the NYS Learning Standards for World Languages, adopted by the NYS Board of Regents in March 2021.Ìý Students can earn points toward the NYSSB from any combination of the Criteria to Earn the NYSSB.Ìý (Scroll to the bottom of this page to access this criteria document in 10 different languages.)Ìý Students wishing to receive the NYSSB must complete all requirements for graduating with a NYS Regents diploma.

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Criteria for Demonstrating Proficiency in English

1A - Score 80 or higher on the NYS Regents Examination in English Language Arts or English Language Learners (ELLs) score 75 or above on two Regents exams other than English, without translation.Ìý (1 point)

1B -Ìý ELLs earn an overall score of 290 or better on the New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test (NYSESLAT) during 9th-12th grades.ÌýÌý(1 point)

1C - Complete all 11th- and 12th-grade ELA courses with an average of 85 or higher or a comparable score using another scoring system set by the district and approved by the Commissioner.ÌýÌý(1 point)

1D - Score at a proficient level on an approved English assessment.ÌýÌý(1 point)

1E - Present a Culminating Project that meets the criteria for speaking, listening, reading, and writing established by the district’s NYS Seal of Biliteracy Committee to a panel of reviewers with proficiency in English.ÌýÌý(2 points)

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Criteria for Demonstrating Proficiency in World Languages

2A - Complete a Checkpoint C level World Language course, with a grade of 85 or higher, or a comparable score using another scoring system set by the district and approved by the Commissioner, consistent with Checkpoint C standards.ÌýÌý(1 point)

2B - Provide transcripts from a school in a country outside of the U.S. showing at least three years of instruction in the student’s home/native language in Grade 8 or beyond, with an equivalent grade average of B or higher.ÌýÌý(1 point)

2C - For students enrolled in a Bilingual Education program, complete all required Home Language Arts (HLA) coursework with an 85 or higher or a comparable score using another scoring system set by the district and approved by the Commissioner.ÌýÌý(1 point)

2D - Score at a proficient level on an accredited Checkpoint C World Language assessment.Ìý (1 point)ÌýÌý

2E - Present a Culminating Project that meets the criteria for speaking, listening, reading, and writing established by the district’s NYS Seal of Biliteracy Committee and that is aligned to the NYS Checkpoint C Learning Standards to a panel of reviewers with proficiency in the target language.ÌýÌý(2 points)

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  • Click here to download the Criteria to Earn the NYSSB (English version).
  • Click here to download the Criteria to Earn the NYSSB (Arabic version).
  • Click here to download the Criteria to Earn the NYSSB (Bengali version).
  • Click here to download the Criteria to Earn the NYSSB (French version).
  • Click here to download the Criteria to Earn the NYSSB (Haitian Creole version).
  • Click here to download the Criteria to Earn the NYSSB (Karen version).
  • Click here to download the Criteria to Earn the NYSSB (Mandarin Chinese version).
  • Click here to download the Criteria to Earn the NYSSB (Russian version).
  • Click here to download the Criteria to Earn the NYSSB (Spanish version).
  • Click here to download the Criteria to Earn the NYSSB (Urdu version).
  • Click here to download the Criteria to Earn the NYSSB (Uzbek version).