WOBURN — Superintendent Matthew Crowley is proud to share that Woburn Public Schools has received the Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy Gold Star Award, recognizing the district’s commitment to expanding multilingual achievement and equitable access to language learning opportunities.
The award was presented by Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Commissioner Pedro Martinez during the Commonwealth’s inaugural Seal of Biliteracy Gold Star Awards ceremony on Monday, Oct. 26. Woburn’s Multilingual Director Rania Caldwell attended the ceremony to accept the award on behalf of Woburn Public Schools.
To earn the recognition, Woburn had to meet the Commonwealth’s established benchmarks for Seal of Biliteracy achievement, which include having awarded the Seal to at least 100 students or 20% of graduating seniors while also meeting equity benchmarks. These benchmarks recognize districts that increase Seal of Biliteracy awards among English Learners and students who were formerly classified as English Learners.
The Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy celebrates students who demonstrate proficiency in two or more languages, honoring the multilingual skills they develop through their home experiences, heritage backgrounds and school programming. The Seal recognizes proficiency in multiple languages, including American Sign Language, through an official endorsement on students’ academic transcripts.
Students who earn the Seal qualify for college credits at many public institutions in Massachusetts, while also being further prepared in their communication skills for success in the workforce.
Woburn Public Schools’ achievement reflects the ongoing collaborative efforts of the district’s Multilingual Learner Department and World Language Department and commitment to continuing to celebrate the diverse linguistic abilities of its students.
“We are incredibly proud to receive this recognition, which reflects our commitment to celebrating the cultures and experiences that make Woburn special,” said Superintendent Crowley. “I want to thank our Multilingual Learner Department, Katherine Escobar and our World Language Department for their dedication to ensuring more students have the opportunity to earn the Seal of Biliteracy.”
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