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.
Students may also earn the seal in languages that are not offered at Valley Central but must be able to show intermediate-high proficiency in a language with a Roman alphabet such as Spanish, French or Italian or an intermediate-mid level of proficiency in languages that do not use a Roman alphabet such as Mandarin Chinese or Ukrainian.
Please also review the point system used to calculate if a student qualifies for the seal of biliteracy. Please note that there are multiple pathways to earn the seal but most students will be required to present a project to a panel of reviewers.
Contact department chairperson for more information.