Students who speak, read, and write a language other than English can earn world language credits in high school by demonstrating proficiency. Students who demonstrate proficiency on nationally recognized proficiency assessments are able to receive competency credits on their high school transcript.

 

Take a moment to think about your current language skills in the language that you wish to be tested in (not English). If you can answer “Yes, I can do this fairly easily” to each statement, then you will probably be able to earn at least 1-2 credits when you take the language test. If you can answer “Yes, I can do this very easily” to all of the statements, then you may be able to earn 3-4 credits when you get tested.

 -I can understand ideas on familiar topics expressed through phrases, short sentences, and frequently used expressions.

 -I can understand the main idea and some details in simple texts that contain familiar vocabulary.

 -I can exchange information with another person about familiar tasks, topics and activities.

 -I can use a series of phrases and sentences to provide basic information about familiar topics.

 -I can write simple descriptions and short messages and request or provide information on familiar topics.

 

You can take a sample test in several languages by navigating to the  Avant Stamp website. This will give students a good idea about what they can expect during the test.

Information from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) about World Languages.

 

Students in grades 7-12 or their parents can make an appointment with their student's school counselor and sign up for testing. Registration closes on January 25th. The test will be administered at Bainbridge High School on Saturday, February 9th. Check in will be at 8:30 AM.

 

We use Brown Paper Tickets for test registration. About 2 weeks before the testing date, families of students who have registered with their counselor will receive an email with a link to the payment site. The tests vary in cost depending on the language Most tests cost between $25-$40 but a few others are more expensive.

 

 

The test is based on language proficiency. “what individuals can do with language in terms of speaking, writing, listening, and reading in real-world situations in a spontaneous and non-rehearsed context” – See more at: ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines 2012.

Although it is not possible to study for a language proficiency test in a traditional sense, you can practice the four skills and ask for feedback from educated native speakers in your community.

 

 

The credits are calculated based on highest proficiency level across the skills of reading, writing, and speaking. The student must demonstrate proficiency in all the skills to earn the credits. For the ALTA test the reading/writing are bundled together as is the speaking/listening. To meet these requirements, we use the lowest proficiency level to calculate the scores not an average or sum.

 

If a student earns 2 or more credits they will meet the Washington High School graduation requirements. This will allow them to pursue another language or field of study

 

Do colleges recognize the competency credits?

Most Washington Universities also accept these credits for entrance requirements. Be sure to check with the universities of interest to your student as soon as possible. More and more universities are also moving to proficiency-based testing for placement and testing.

 

 

Students may re-take the test once a year when offered to earn more credit. Additional credit is awarded if the student earns a higher score on the test, not by adding credits together.