Salem Public Schools Awarded Certificate of Excellence at MABE Northeast Conference
SPS Multilingual Learner Education Department honored for commitment to State Seal of Biliteracy
SALEM (Mar. 24, 2025) – The Salem Public Schools Department of Multilingual Learner Education was presented the Certificate of Excellence at the Multistate Association for Bilingual Education (MABE) Northeast annual conference Saturday, Mar. 8, in Springfield, Mass.
Spearheaded by Director André Fonseca, the SPS Multilingual Learner Education Department was honored for its commitment and success with promoting the State Seal of Biliteracy Exam. In early March, 91 students at Salem High School took the Exam in 11 different languages (results are expected in mid-April).
Elizabeth Rogers, Principal at Salem’s dual-language Bentley Academy Innovation School, accepted the honor on Salem’s behalf. She was accompanied by several staffers of SPS’s Multilingual Learning department.
SPS was one of 13 schools to be honored at the MABE Conference.
“We are privileged and honored to attend the MABE Conference and accept this award,” said Mr. Fonseca. “This is a tribute to the educators in our multilingual learning department who continue to amplify the benefits and importance of language learning.”
Last year, 62 Salem High School students were awarded Seal of Biliteracy distinction including:
- 27 students who achieved Global Seal of Biliteracy honors
- 26 students who achieved State Seal of Biliteracy honors
- Six who achieved the Language Coalition Award
- Three students who earned State Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction
The honor signified SPS’s commitment to multilingual learning and fortifies the core values of the District’s 2023-26 Strategic Plan: elevate learning, empower educators, center belonging and strengthen the District’s foundation.
In early February, the District announced it was adding a dual language pathway at Collins Middle School. Contingent on approval from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the dual language track at CMS will begin with the 2026-27 academic year.
To encourage students to pursue bilingualism and biliteracy, the dual language program at Bentley held its first-ever awards ceremony, honoring Grade 3 and 4 students for their proficiency.
About Salem Public Schools
Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district in Salem, Massachusetts. Salem is a small, diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history. Our leaders and our teachers are all passionate about education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement with equity and social-emotional needs as the lens we view all of our work through. We respect and value the racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity of our students and their families, and have a strong commitment to the Salem community. Salem Public Schools staff serve all of our students, regardless of ability or language. Salem Public Schools enrolls approximately 4,000 students across its eleven schools.
