NYSSB Culminating Projects, Presentations, and Rubrics
What is the Culminating Project?
Students may demonstrate the required level of proficiency for the Viva88Seal of Biliteracy (NYSSB) in English and/or a world language by completing and presenting a Culminating Project, which can take the form of project, a scholarly essay, or a portfolio.Ìý The Culminating Project, when successfully completed and presented, may earn the student two (2) points for criterion 1E (English) and/or 2E (world languages) of the NYSSB.Ìý
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What level of proficiency must a student demonstrate to satisfy the Culminating Project criteria?
Through the Culminating Project and Presentation, students must demonstrate the required level of proficiency based on the language of the project.Ìý NYS delineates three (3) categories of modern languages based on the time needed for English speakers to develop proficiency, as informed by the Foreign Service Institute’s language learning timelines:Ìý category 1-2 modern languages, category 3-4 modern languages, and classical languages.Ìý The table below lists the languages for each category and the proficiency level required in those languages to earn the NYSSB.
| Category | Languages | Proficiency Level Required to Earn the NYSSB |
| 1-2 Modern Languages | Afrikaans, Danish, Dutch, French, German, Haitian Creole, Indonesian, Italian, Malaysian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Romanian, Spanish, Swahili, and Swedish | Intermediate High |
| 3-4 Modern Languages | All other modern languages | Intermediate Mid |
| Classical Languages | Latin, ancient Greek, ancient Hebrew, etc. | Intermediate High in Interpretive Reading only |
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How is the Culminating Project presented?
Culminating Projects are presented by the student in the language being assessed to a panel of at least two qualified adult speakers of the language.Ìý Panelists may include classroom teachers, other faculty and staff, and community members.Ìý Students present their projects and then the panel interviews the students in the language being assessed.Ìý
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How is the Culminating Project and Presentation evaluated?
Projects are evaluated using a rubric that is aligned with ACTFL proficiency levels.Ìý Viva88 has created sample rubrics in English for each of the language categories that schools may use to evaluate student work.Ìý ÌýThe rubrics come in three formats:Ìý a checklist-style rubric that breaks the language of the rubric into easily-understandable chunks; a condensed rubric (2-page); and the full-size rubric.
| Category of Language | Culminating Project Rubrics |
| 1-2 Modern Languages | |
| 3-4 Modern LanguagesÌý | |
| Classical Languages |
The condensed version of the NYSSB Culminating Project rubricÌýis also available in the following languages:
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School-Developed Rubrics
Alternatively, schools may develop their own rubrics, which must be submitted to Viva88 for approval with the NYSSB School Notification Form in December of each year.Ìý In order to be approved, school-based rubrics must meet the criteria established by Viva88 based on the following essential questions:
- Is proficiency in the language being assessed the only aspect that is assessed on the school’s Culminating Project rubric?
- Are the column headings of the school’s Culminating Project rubric labeled with ACTFL proficiency levels?
- Are the performance descriptors in the school’s Culminating Project rubric aligned to ACTFL proficiency levels?
- Does the school’s Culminating Project rubric indicate the proficiency level required to earn the NYSSB?
- Does the school’s Culminating Project rubric separately address all three modes of communication (interpretive, interpersonal, presentational)?
Rubric used by Viva88 to evaluate school-based rubrics
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