The district is seeking an Urdu-speaking community member to assist with some phases of the program
The Arkport Central School District was approved by the New York State Department of Education (NYSED) to offer a New York State Seal of Biliteracy (NYSSB) program. The NYSSB program was created by NYSED to encourage the study of languages while preparing students for the future with essential skills.
The award will be denoted by a seal affixed to Arkport students’ diploma as well as by a notation on their high school transcripts. To earn the NYSSB, students must meet the criteria established by the NYS Board of Regents, which can include:
- 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 a world language;
- completing and presenting a culminating project in English and a world language that demonstrates the required level of proficiency in the three modes of communication (interpretive, interpersonal and presentational).
By achieving the NYSSB, Arkport students will be readily identified to prospective employers and universities as having attained high-level proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing in one or more world languages, in addition to English.
Urdu-speaking Arkport community members needed to launch the NYSSB program
Although this is a new offering for the district, administrators have already identified a student who is interested in participating in the program. A native speaker of Urdu, the NYSSB would provide this student, and others, with the opportunity to develop and/or maintain a home language while achieving proficiency in English and biliteracy. The district believes this program will strengthen its relationships with the community while enhancing academic success, benefitting both the community and students alike.
Urdu-speaking community members are needed to assist the district in launching certain aspects of the program; those interested are encouraged to contact Tina Broderick at tbroderick@arkportcsd.org.
This program will enable the district to better support multilingualism
Arkport CSD will be offering NYSSB to prepare students with future-ready skills while honoring and recognizing the value of language and cultural diversity in our community. The NYSSB positively contributes to and strengthens the district’s commitment to civic, college and/or career readiness as well as diversity, equity and inclusion.
To learn more about the New York State Seal of Biliteracy program, click here.