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Most recently amended by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education: September 20, 2022
ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines descriptions of what individuals can do with language in terms of speaking, writing, listening, and reading in real-world situations in a spontaneous and non-rehearsed context published by the American Council of the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).
Advanced Placement (AP) Exam An examination in subject matter produced by the College Board.
Arts/Humanities Literature, composition, history, social science, foreign language and the arts.
Board The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, appointed in accordance with M.G.L. c. 15, § 1E.
Certificate of Mastery An award given to students demonstrating mastery across several content areas including arts/humanities and mathematics/science through performance on MCAS, other achievement tests, and other forms of high academic, literary, or artistic achievement.
College Board A membership organization made up of high schools and colleges.
Commissioner: The Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education or his or her designee.
Department The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Mathematics/Science Mathematics, science, engineering and computer science.
MCAS The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System, the statewide assessment of individual students' academic performance, as required by M.G.L. c. 69, § 1I.
Other Achievements Recognition of high academic, literary, or artistic accomplishments as validated by activities outside the student's school, other than through standardized tests.
School District A municipal school department or regional school district, acting through its school committee or superintendent of schools; a county agricultural school, acting through its board of trustees or superintendent/director; or a charter school or a Commonwealth of Massachusetts virtual school, acting through its board of trustees.
State Seal of Biliteracy An award given by school districts to students who have attained a high level of proficiency in English and not less than one other language in addition to English.
Student A Massachusetts resident who attends secondary school.
Regulatory Authority: 603 CMR 31.00 — M.G.L. c. 69, §§ 1B, 1D, and 1Q.
For further information regarding this award, please see the Certificate of Mastery's home page.
Disclaimer: For an official copy of these regulations, please contact the State House Bookstore, at 617-727-2834 or visit Massachusetts State Bookstore.
Last Updated: November 23, 2022
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149
Voice: (781) 338-3000 TTY: (800) 439-2370
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