Seal of Biliteracy Regional Teams

In our ongoing effort to support the Seal of Biliteracy, the Department is pleased to introduce Seal of Biliteracy Regional Teams (SeBRTs). SeBRTs will consist of teams of World Language and ELL teachers, department heads, principals, and/or district-level administrators. The SeBRTs have four goals: 1) Engage in collective analysis of statewide and regional data; 2) expand awareness of the Seal in their region; 3) establish a Seal of Biliteracy mentorship program in their region; and 4) engage in collective inquiry around a statewide challenge in Seal implementation. Please see below for a list of potential challenges around which SeBRTs may engage in collective learning. The SeBRT program is a two-year commitment and offers 2 levels of engagement — team facilitator and team member. Facilitators will meet quarterly with the Department to discuss the initiatives in their region. They must also prepare and facilitate quarterly meetings with SeBRT team members. SeBRT team members will attend regional meetings and complete independent work in preparation for those meetings. PDPs are available upon completion of the collective learning project.

Topics for collective learning may include, but are not limited to:

• Equity in the administration of the Seal of Biliteracy
• Supporting instruction to facilitate higher levels of attainment of the State Seal of Biliteracy
• Supporting programs to facilitate higher levels of attainment of the State Seal of Biliteracy
• Expanding the Seal of Biliteracy to more districts
• Generating buy-in for the Seal of Biliteracy among various stakeholders
• Supporting districts to purchase and implement high-quality assessments

SeBRTs Facilitators (2 per region)—

• Responsibilities:
  • Meet quarterly with DESE to discuss initiatives in their region
  • Plan and facilitate quarterly regional meetings
  • Plan and lead a collective learning experience on issues relevant to the State Seal of Biliteracy
  • Present recommendations to DESE based on regional team's collective inquiry
  • Design and implement a regional mentorship program
• Qualifications
  • Minimum of 2 years' experience implementing the Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy
  • Strong ability to analyze data
  • Commitment to expansion of the Seal of Biliteracy to all districts
  • Commitment to including all students in the Seal of Biliteracy
  • Commitment to ongoing professional learning
  • Strong understanding of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL)'s proficiency levels and a dedication for proficiency-driven instruction
  • Strong technological skills
• Time Commitment/PDPs — 15 hours/year

SeBRTs Team Members (5–10 per region)

• Responsibilities
  • Meet quarterly as a team to engage in collective learning and data analysis
  • Independently complete readings and tasks for quarterly meetings
  • Help guide newcomer and potential districts through their first years of implementation
  • Share data from their own districts' implementations
• Qualifications
  • Demonstrated leadership in district's efforts to enroll in/implement the Seal
  • Understanding of the ACTFLs proficiency levels and a dedication for proficiency-driven instruction
  • Commitment to expansion of the Seal of Biliteracy to all districts
  • Commitment to including all students in the Seal of Biliteracy
  • Commitment to ongoing professional learning
• Time Commitment/PDPs — 10 hours/year

Please consider joining one of these important teams. Please contact Andy McDonie with any questions.

Application for Seal of Biliteracy Regional Teams

Last Updated: September 25, 2020