The New York State Seal of Biliteracy (NYSSB)

The NYSSB recognizes high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in English and one or more world languages.  The intent of the NYSSB is to encourage the study of languages, to identify high school graduates with language and biliteracy skills for employers, to provide universities with additional information about applicants seeking admission and placement, to prepare students with twenty-first century skills, to recognize the value of language instruction, and to affirm the value of diversity in a multilingual society.  Successful candidates will earn three points in English and three points in each world language from a points matrix, which includes course grades, national and state exams, transcripts, and culminating projects.  The NYSSB takes the form of a Seal on the student's diploma and a medallion worn at graduation.

History of the NYSSB

New York State boasts a rich linguistic and cultural heritage, with students speaking over 200 languages.  Understanding the importance of multilingualism and multiliteracy, the New York State Legislature established the New York State Seal of Biliteracy in 2012, with the first set of graduates earning the Seal in the 2015-2016 academic year.  The NYSSB is an award given by a high school, school district or county office of education that formally recognizes students who have attained a high level of proficiency in two or more world languages (one of which must be English) by high school graduation.  The NYSSB is awarded by the Commissioner to students who meet the criteria established by the Board of Regents and who attend schools that voluntarily  agree to participate in the program.  The NYSSB is affixed to the student’s high school diploma and transcript and must be made available to students at no cost.

The NYSSB acknowledges the importance of being biliterate in today’s global society.  It highlights the hard work and achievement of students, and encourages them to pursue language study while in school, including the continued development of one’s home language.  The recognition of attaining biliteracy is also a statement of accomplishment for future employers and for college admission.

In January 2014, the NYS Board of Regents approved the implementation of a NYSSB pilot program. This pilot program afforded self-selected districts the opportunity to develop innovative ways of measuring and creating an approved path to the attainment of the NYSSB. The pilot gave districts and schools the opportunity to inform policy development statewide and share best practices. Six districts and 20 public schools volunteered to participate in the pilot program. As a result of this yearlong program, it was recommended that students have the flexibility to demonstrate proficiency in English and one or more world languages using a variety of methods, including nationally recognized assessments, coursework, projects,  and prior coursework completed in a country outside of the U.S. 

In 2015-16, when the NYSSB was  first piloted by 20 schools, a total of 284 students earned the NYSSB.  Since then, this distinction has been awarded to over 17,800 students from hundreds of New York State schools, including public, charter, and non-public high schools. 

This award is denoted by a seal affixed to the student’s diploma and a notation on the student’s high school transcript.  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.  Students can earn points toward the NYSSB in a number of ways, including:

• Completing coursework in English and/or a world language with an average of 85% or better;
• Completing  a Home Language Arts Program with an average of 85% or better;
• Earning a set score on an approved assessment in English and/or a world language;
• Demonstrating successful completion of coursework from a nation outside the U.S.; and
• Completing and presenting a Culminating Project in English and/or a world language that demonstrates the required level of  proficiency in all three modes of communication (Interpretive, Interpersonal, and Presentational).

Click here to see the official criteria to earn the NYSSB.

English          

Arabic                            

Bengali                  

Chinese (Simplified)            

French 

German

Haitian Creole                    

Italian

Karen                    

Korean  

Nepali 

Polish

Russian 

Spanish 

Swahili  

Urdu

An updated version NYSSB Handbook is now available.  The NYSSB Handbook will help districts and schools with the implementation process, including procedures, criteria, questions and answers, required forms, and resources.  New York City Public Schools (NYCPS)  should consult the NYCDOE Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for information specific to their schools.  Questions from NYCPS should be directed to the Office of Multilingual Learners (multilinguallearners@schools.nyc.gov).  Questions from all other schools in New York State (all public schools outside of New York City and all charter and non-public schools in the state, regardless of location) should be directed to the Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages (nyssb@nysed.gov; 518-473-7505).

NYSSB School Notification Form

• Purpose:  To notify NYSED of intent to offer the NYSSB in the current school year; to identify student subgroups eligible to pursue the NYSSB
• Deadline to submit form to NYSED:  December 1st
• Click here to access the online NYSSB School Notification Form.
• Click here for more detailed information on the NYSSB School Notification Form.

NYSSB Culminating Project Notification Form  **NOTE:  only schools notified by NYSED by September 30, 2022 of being selected for a visit should fill out this form.**

• Purpose:  To notify NYSED of the dates and locations of the Culminating Project Presentations, as well as the languages in which they will be delivered
• Deadline to submit form to NYSED:  at least four (4) weeks prior to the student presentations
• Note:  this form is only to be filled out by schools who are notified by NYSED by September 30th as being selected for a visit.
• Click here to access the online NYSSB Culminating Project Notification form.
• Click here for more detailed information on the Culminating Project Notification Form.

End of Year Data Form

• Purpose:  To provide basic demographic information on successful Seal candidates as well as the criteria they met to earn the NYSSB in English and one or more world languages; to order the Seal stickers and medallions
• Deadline to submit form to NYSED:  Rolling deadline between May 5th and July 15th (schools should submit this form at least two weeks prior to when they need the Seals/medallions to distribute to Seal earners for graduation)
• Click here to access the End of Year Data Form (Excel workbook).
• Click here for more detailed information on the End of Year Data Form.
• Deadline to submit "amended" form to NYSED for previously anticipated candidates:  July 15th

Culminating Projects, Presentations & Rubrics

Students may demonstrate the required level of proficiency for the Seal in English and/or a world language by completing and presenting a Culminating Project, which can take the form of project, a scholarly essay, or a portfolio.  The Culminating Project, when successfully completed and presented, may earn the student 2 points for criterion 1E and/or 2E of the NYSSB.  To satisfy the Culminating Project criteria, a student must demonstrate the required level of proficiency based on the language in which the student is seeking the points. 

• For English and category 1-2 modern languages (those that use a Roman-based alphabet such as Spanish, French, Italian, German), the required proficiency level is Intermediate High. 
• For category 3-4 modern languages (Indigenous languages such as Seneca and Tuscarora, those that use a non-Roman-based alphabet such as Arabic, Greek, Hebrew, and Russian, and those that are character-based such as Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, and Vietnamese), the required proficiency level is Intermediate Mid. 
• For classical languages (those from an earlier time in human history that have no living native speakers such as Latin and ancient Greek), the required proficiency level is Intermediate High for Interpretive Reading.

Culminating Projects are presented by the student in the language being assessed to a panel of at least two qualified adult speakers of the language.  Panelists may include classroom teachers, other faculty and staff, and community members.  Students present their projects and then the panel interviews the students in the language being assessed. 

Projects are evaluated using a rubric that is aligned with ACTFL proficiency levels.  NYSED has created sample rubrics for each of the language categories that schools may use to evaluate student work. 

• Rubric for category 1-2 modern languages (those that use a Roman-based alphabet such as Spanish, French, Italian, German):  Full-size rubric (multiple pages), Condensed rubric (one page)
• Rubric for category 3-4 modern languages (indigenous languages such as Seneca and Tuscarora; those that use a non-Roman-based alphabet such as Arabic, Greek, Hebrew, and Russian; those that are character-based such as Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, and Vietnamese):  Full-size rubric (multiple pages), Condensed rubric (one page)
• Sample rubric for classical languages (those from an earlier time in human history that have no living native speakers such as Latin and ancient Greek):  Full-size rubric (multiple pages), Condensed rubric (one page)

Alternatively, schools may develop their own rubrics, which must be submitted to NYSED for approval with the NYSSB School Notification Form in December of each year.  In order to be approved, school-based rubrics must meet the criteria established by NYSED based on the following essential questions:

1. Is proficiency in the language being assessed the only aspect that is assessed on the school’s Culminating Project rubric?
2. Are the column headings of the school’s Culminating Project rubric labeled with ACTFL proficiency levels?
3. Are the performance descriptors in the school’s Culminating Project rubric aligned to ACTFL proficiency levels?
4. Does the school’s Culminating Project rubric indicate the proficiency level required to earn the NYSSB?
5. Does the school’s Culminating Project rubric separately address all three modes of communication (interpretive, interpersonal, presentational)?

Rubric used by NYSED to evaluate school-based rubrics

School Visits

Each year, the Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages (OBEWL) will schedule visits with a small sample of schools offering the NYSSB for two purposes:  (1) to observe and participate in Culminating Project Presentations and (2) to provide feedback and support to schools in this process.  The Culminating Project Notification form is used to notify the New York State Education Department (NYSED) of the date(s), time(s), location(s), and language(s) of these presentations so that a visit may be scheduled.  Click here to access the form that will be used to provide feedback and support to schools following the visit.  Only schools that have been notified by NYSED of their selection for a visit should complete this form.  Notification of selection will take place no later than September 30th.  This form can be submitted as soon as a school is notified of their selection for a visit, but must be submitted at least four weeks prior to dates of the student presentations.