LANGUAGE OPPORTUNITY COALITION BILITERACY PATHWAY AWARDS

An award program overseen by the Massachusetts Language Opportunity Coalition (LOC) that can be awarded in addition to the official MA State Seal of Biliteracy.

The LOC created a Seal of Biliteracy (SoBL) Workgroup, a strong, enduring collaboration of world language (MaFLA), dual language (MABE), and English language learning (MATSOL) professional teacher organizations and conducted a pilot over three years (2015-2018) before passing legislation to develop a multi-tiered award structure for the SoBL and parameters for implementation in districts in the state.  The pilot involved the cooperation and input of leaders and teachers of all language learning program types and levels; world language, dual language education, transitional bilingual education, immersion, English language education, elementary, middle, high school, and university.

Read about the experience of the Seal of Biliteracy Pilot. 

The chapter - A Collaborative Model for Seal of Biliteracy Implementation: The Massachusetts Pilot Project, written by the LOC Co-Leaders Nicole L Sherf, Phyllis R. Hardy, and Helen Solorzano can be found in the text The Seal of Biliteracy, Case Studies and Considerations for Policy Implementation, Edited by: Amy J. Heineke, Loyola University Chicago and Kristin J. Davin, University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

LOC SoBL Pathway Awards

The LOC SoBL Pathway Awards are designed for students and schools who do not meet the state criteria such as:

Massachusetts Language Opportunity Coalition Resources

• Website: www.sealofbiliteracyma.org
• Timeline and Guiding Questions for the LOC Biliteracy Awards
• Action Plan Template  horizontal view  doc   pdf     vertical view   doc   pdf
• Presentation by Framingham Public School: Lessons Learned Implementing the SoBL
• Join the Seal of Biliteracy MA Google Group and send a message to the group stating you would like to get involved.

SoBL Google Group MEETING Dates for SY 2021-22

The meeting dates for the SoBL Google Group for this year will again focus on equitable implementation of both the LOC Pathway Awards and the State SoBL Awards.  A zoom link will be provided on the SoBL Google Group site for the virtual meetings.  

• Monday, October 18, 2021; 7 - 8 pm
• Monday, February 7, 2022; 7 - 8 pm
• Monday, Mary 2, 2022; 7 - 8pm