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World Language Competency Testing for Grades 7 - 12

Teaching & Learning

World Language Competency Testing

Exam Sign-Up Coming Soon

Registration details will be posted here.

At a Glance

Who can test
End of 8th grade or any time in high school

Credits available
Up to 4 credits, no letter grade

Seal of Biliteracy
4.0 credits in the same language

Contact

Amanda Ward

Director of 7–12 Teaching & Learning

Email

Learn More

World Language Competency Testing

Do you speak a language other than English at home?

Can you speak, read and write in a language that isn’t offered at Bainbridge High School?

If you answered yes to either question, you may be eligible to earn high school World Language credit by taking a competency exam.

BISD students can take the competency exam at the end of 8th grade or any time during high school. The exams are best suited for older adolescents, since businesses, government and the military also use them for job placement.

Please note: BISD does not use the competency exam for language class placement. Please read how credit is awarded before you sign up, since students cannot earn duplicate credit.

Awarding of Credit

  • All approved competency-based World Language credits are posted to the BISD transcript as credit earned, without letter grades, in a separate area of the transcript.
  • Competency-based credits cannot replace an unsatisfactory (D or F) grade on the BISD transcript for an equivalent course.
  • Students cannot earn duplicate credit for classes already taken. For example, a student who took Spanish I and II in seat-based classes and then scores Novice Mid or Novice High on the exam will not earn competency credit. See the credit chart below.
  • After earning competency-based credit for a level of a language, students may not take an equivalent or lower-level class in that language. They must take a higher level of the same language or a different language.
  • Competency-based credits may be used to meet World Language graduation requirements.
  • Students who earn 4.0 credits in the same language, through competency credit or seat-based classes, are eligible to earn the Seal of Biliteracy when they graduate from BISD.

How Many Credits Could You Earn?

Can you do the following in a language other than English?

  • Understand ideas on familiar topics expressed through phrases, short sentences and frequently used expressions. (Listening)
  • Understand the main idea and some details in simple texts with familiar vocabulary. (Reading)
  • Exchange information with another person about familiar tasks, topics and activities. (Person-to-person communication)
  • Use a series of phrases and sentences to give basic information about familiar topics. (Spoken production)
  • Write simple descriptions and short messages or requests, or give information on familiar topics. (Writing)

If you can answer all of the statements above with:

“Yes, I can do this fairly easily”

Likely 1–2 credits

“Yes, I can do this very easily”

Likely 3–4 credits

Calculation of Credits

Credits are based on your lowest proficiency level across reading, writing and speaking. You must show proficiency in every skill to earn credit, so we use your lowest level, not an average or a total. On the ALTA test, reading and writing are scored together, as are speaking and listening.

High school credits earned by lowest proficiency level
Lowest STAMP score Lowest ILR Lowest proficiency level Credits
1 0 Novice Low 0
2 – Novice Mid 1
3 0+ Novice High 2
4 1 Intermediate Low 3
5 – Intermediate Mid 4
6 1+ or higher Intermediate High or higher 4