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Dear Parents and Students,
Montville Township High School is offering current seniors the opportunity to earn the New Jersey State Seal of Biliteracy before applying to college. Since 2016, the State of New Jersey has implemented the Seal of Biliteracy program which recognizes students on their transcripts for the ability to speak, read, listen and write in two or more languages at a high level of proficiency.
Students who plan to pursue the Seal of Biliteracy should review the information below about the process then complete the permission slip on the second page of this letter.
Information on the Seal of Biliteracy Process
How can a student demonstrate language proficiency in English and another language?
To demonstrate proficiency in a second language, a student must receive a qualifying score in each of the four skill areas (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) on a state-accepted exam. MTHS uses the STAMP 4S test.
What test is being used to assess language proficiency?
Students will take the NJ-approved STAMP 4S test and must receive a score of 5 or higher (Intermediate Mid-level) on ALL sections of the test. *Students who took the AP Language test no earlier than the spring of their junior year and received a 4 or 5 can use these results in place of the STAMP 4S test to qualify.
What languages are tested by STAMP 4S?
Currently, the STAMP 4S tests the following languages: Arabic, French, German, Hebrew*, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Polish, Russian, Portuguese (Brazilian) and Spanish. If a student wants to qualify for the Seal of Biliteracy in a language that is not found on this list, they must contact Dr. Spitzer (tamar.spitzer@montville.net) immediately to discuss possible alternatives.
When will the test be given and how long does the STAMP 4S test take?
The STAMP 4S test should take approximately 3 hours and is currently scheduled to be given October 12 or 13, 2023. Testing dates will differ by language.
Can a student earn the Seal of Biliteracy in more than one language?
Yes. If a student wishes to earn the Seal of Biliteracy in more than one language, they must indicate that on their permission slip and will need to sit and pay for each test separately.
How much will the test cost?
Each STAMP test is $27.00 per test. The Hebrew test is an additional cost. For students testing in a language not offered by STAMP, the price will vary.
How will a student be recognized for earning the Seal of Biliteracy?
Students that earn the Seal of Biliteracy will receive a certificate from the New Jersey Commissioner of Education at graduation and will have the achievement noted on their high school transcript.
Thank you, and we look forward to supporting your efforts to attain this prestigious recognition!
Sincerely,
Dr. Tamar Spitzer
Supervisor of World Languages and ESL