Biliteracy Pathway Award Criteria

Language Opportunity Coalition (LOC) Awards

Update: English Proficiency Criteria for Spring 2021
Learners wishing to earn the LOC Biliteracy Pathway Awards may not have been able to take the MCAS ELA test in spring 2020 when tests were cancelled due to the pandemic. In this case, a portfolio can be used to fulfill the criteria for demonstrating English language proficiency for the award. Portfolios may also be used by English Learners who do not take the in-person ACCESS for ELs test this year due to safety concerns.  Districts should follow existing guidelines for developing world language portfolios for the LOC Pathway Awards.


English Language Assessment
See update for Spring 2021!		Partner Language Assessment
LOC Bilingual Participation Award
Novice-High proficiency in listening and speaking in English based on portfolio documentation or standardized assessment
– WIDA ACCESS: ELD Level 2		Novice-High proficiency in listening and speaking in partner language based on portfolio documentation or standardized assessment
– AAPPL/ALIRA: N4
– STAMP: 3
– SLPI: Novice
LOC Biliteracy Attainment Award
Intermediate-Low proficiency level on each domain/mode of standardized assessment
– AAPPL English: I1
– STAMP English: 4
– MCAS ELA: Partially Meeting Expectations
~OR~
For ELs – WIDA ACCESS: ELD Level 3.5
Intermediate-Low proficiency level on each domain/mode of standardized assessment
– Aprenda: 50th%
– AAPPL/ALIRA: I1
– STAMP: 4
– AP: 2
– SLPI: Novice Plus

LOC Biliteracy Achievement Award


Intermediate-Mid proficiency level on each domain/mode of standardized assessment
– AAPPL English: I2, I3, I4
– STAMP English: 5
– AP English Language: 3
~OR~
MCAS ELA: Meeting Expectations
~OR~
For ELs – WIDA ACCESS: ELD Level 4.2
Intermediate-Mid proficiency level on each domain/mode of standardized assessment
– AAPPL/ALIRA: I2, I3, I4 in all domains
– STAMP: 5
– AP: 3
– SLPI: Intermediate

For the State Seal of Biliteracy awards, see http://www.doe.mass.edu/ell/biliteracy/