Two Medway High School students have earned the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy distinction.

Ram Tysoe, a 2020 graduate, earned the Seal of Biliteracy in French. Jayline Steiding-Cortes, a rising junior, earned the Seal in Spanish. A total of 11 Medway High School students completed the Seal of Biliteracy testing in June.

Tysoe and Steiding-Cortes will have the Seal of Biliteracy's special state insignia affixed to their diplomas in recognition of their achievement. 

“We are extremely proud of our students' accomplishments," Dr. Ocasio-Varela said. “This is the first year that we have offered the Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy at Medway High School, and we are excited by the level of proficiency that these students have attained in their target language. The Seal of Biliteracy is a distinction that undoubtedly strengthens Medway's World Languages program. We look forward to providing the same opportunity for distinction to all World Languages students this upcoming year.”

On June 2, students were virtually administered the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL) test and the ACTFL Latin Interpretive Reading Assessment (ALIRA) test. 

To acquire the Seal of Biliteracy, students were required to meet the following requirements:

Demonstrate a High Level of proficiency in English by satisfying the following:

• Earn a score of 240 or higher on the 10th grade Legacy English Language Arts MCAS.

• Earn a score of 220 or higher on the 10th grade Legacy English Language Arts MCAS and complete an Educational Proficiency Plan.

Demonstrate a High Level of proficiency in a world language through one of the following:

• Attaining a minimum score equivalent to an American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) proficiency level of Intermediate-High on a state-approved assessment.

• For languages that do not have readily available assessments, completing a portfolio demonstrating Intermediate-High proficiency in speaking, writing, reading and listening.

The Seal of Biliteracy aims to encourage the study and mastery of languages, honor the linguistic proficiency of students, certify attainment of biliteracy skills and provide evidence of these skills to future employers and college admissions officers.