<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=40IV18_1H1wJ4VB00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=40IV18_1H1wJ4VB00" width="1200" height="630" ></figure><p>Worcester Public Schools earned the state’s highest district honor tied to the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy, one of only two districts to receive the new Platinum Star Award.</p><p>The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced the awards Monday, Nov. 9, honoring 55 districts for their work with the seal. Boston Public Schools joined Worcester as the only other Platinum Star recipient.</p><p>Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez presented the award to Jessica Mandes, the district’s director of multilingual education, and Michelle Huaman, its world language curriculum specialist. Mandes and Huaman accepted it on behalf of the district.</p><p>“The Worcester Public Schools remains committed to supporting students with earning the Seal of Biliteracy,” Superintendent Brian E. Allen said. “Being fluent in more than one language is a true gift that opens the door to a lifetime of additional opportunities, while promoting cultural inclusivity. We are grateful that DESE and Commissioner Martinez are recognizing our staff and students for their efforts.”</p><h2>What the award measures</h2><p>The state began awarding the <a href="https://www.doe.mass.edu/scholarships/biliteracy/">State Seal of Biliteracy</a> in 2019 to recognize high school graduates who show proficiency in English and at least one other language. Graduates who earn it receive a designation on their high school transcript. Statewide, 4,793 students earned the seal in 2025, according to the state’s <a href="https://www.mass.gov/doc/final-high-school-graduation-requirements-recommendations/download">high school graduation requirements recommendations</a>.</p><p>This year marks the first time the department has recognized districts for both the number of graduates earning the seal and their efforts to make it accessible to students of all backgrounds and abilities. The awards rely on data from the 2024-25 school year.</p><p>To reach Platinum Star status, a district needed at least 200 students or 30% of its graduating class to earn the seal while also meeting three equity benchmarks. Those benchmarks track how often the seal goes to current English learners, students who recently exited English learner status, students who were ever English learners and students with disabilities.</p><p>Worcester earned commendations for seal attainment among current, former and “ever” English learners.</p><p>The department also handed out Gold Star and Star awards to districts that met lower thresholds, along with separate commendations for districts that widened access for career and technical education students and students with disabilities.</p><p>“The recognized districts have made a sustained effort to increase access to the Seal of Biliteracy so that more students have the opportunity to display their skills,” Martinez said.</p><h2>School coordinators</h2><p>WPS credited the school-based coordinators who run the program: Ofelia Maskewich at North High, Jailene Muñoz at South High, Araceli Esqueda at Doherty High, Adriana Perez Sabido at Burncoat High, Monica Echevarria at Claremont Academy and Yenilda Melendez at Worcester Technical High. Huaman coordinates the program districtwide and for alternative schools.</p></div></body>

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Worcester Public Schools earned the state’s highest district honor tied to the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy, one of only two districts to receive the new Platinum Star Award. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced the awards Monday, Nov. 9, honoring 55 districts for their work...

Worcester among two districts statewide to win top biliteracy award

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Worcester Public Schools earned the state’s highest district honor tied to the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy, one of only two districts to receive

Worcester among two districts statewide to win top biliteracy award

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