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Hingham reports rise in Seal of Biliteracy recipients; 74% of test takers earned designation
Summary
Hingham Public Schools reported that 103 of 140 students who sat for world‑language assessments in 2024–25 earned the Seal of Biliteracy or Seal with Distinction (74% of test takers; 36% of the graduating class of 2025). District plans wider testing funded by grant support and recommends continued professional development to sustain growth.
The Hingham School Committee received a report on world language assessment results on Nov. 10 showing a notable increase in students earning state‑recognized designations.
Stacy, the district’s world language department director, told the committee that in 2024–25, 103 of 140 students who tested earned either the Seal of Biliteracy or the Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction — about 74% of test takers. Looking at the entire graduating class of 2025 (283 students), Stacy said 103 students represented roughly 36% of that cohort achieving one of the designations.
Stacy explained the district’s method of combining STAMP (Avant) results with AP exam performance and noted that testing has expanded through a grant (FC0189) to include grade 8 at the middle school and seniors at the high school. She described typical skill trajectories — receptive skills (reading/listening) often develop before expressive skills (speaking/writing) — and said the district offers retakes within a 90‑day window for students who miss qualification in a single domain.
The presentation included course‑level clarifications (examples: Latin 4 or AP, French 5 or AP, Chinese 4 or AP) and a break‑out by proficiency targets. Stacy recommended continuing in‑house and external professional development and exploring middle‑school offerings for Chinese or Latin to broaden early skill development.
A brief public exchange confirmed that students with limited English proficiency can take the assessment in their native language, and local educators noted air‑quality and community benefits of expanded language programs. The district plans to report these results to DESE going forward.
Next steps: continue funding and professional development tied to the FC0189 grant, incorporate results into course planning, and submit required reporting to DESE.
