Definition

A World Language is any natural language that has been formally studied, including American Sign Language (AMESLAN, the language of the deaf community) and languages no longer spoken, such as Latin and ancient Greek.  Computer “languages” and forms of deaf signing other than AMESLAN are not considered World Languages for the purposes of this policy or procedure.

Demonstrating Proficiency for Competency-Based Credit

The Multilingual and World Language Departments will manage the process of assessing students for competency-based high school credit. The assessment used must be aligned to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Proficiency Guidelines in order to ensure consistency across languages. The Department will select the appropriate assessment instrument(s) from the following:

• Standards-based Measurement of Proficiency (STAMP) in reading, writing, and speaking (and listening, if available) for all languages for which it is available. 
• ACTFL assessments Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) or Oral Proficiency Interview Computer Based (OPIc) and Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) for languages for which STAMP is not available or for which ACTFL assessments are deemed to be more appropriate.
• Appropriate assessments for American Sign Language such as the Sign Language Proficiency Interview (SLPI).
• For languages that do not currently have any other nationally available proficiency based assessment, the department will work with local language communities and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) World Languages Program to develop a collection of evidence process such as LinguaFolio, that is aligned with ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines.

Determining Competency and Credit Equivalencies

One or more credits high school credits will be awarded based on the student demonstrating an overall proficiency level according to the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines:

• Novice Mid: 1 credit
• Novice High: 2 credits
• Intermediate Low: 3 credits
• Intermediate High: 4 credits

Total credit for the language will be based on the lowest common level of proficiency demonstrated across the skill areas. Students may not receive separate credits for individual language skills. Students may receive credit for multiple languages.

Testing Opportunities

The Department will manage the assessment process so that students have opportunities to take or retake the assessments required to demonstrate proficiency. Assessments will be offered monthly October – April, in a proctored setting with the appropriate technology. The Department will approve the site(s) where the assessments are offered, which may include school sites, community colleges, universities, district buildings, or other appropriate sites.

Paying for Assessments

 The Superintendent or Superintendent’s designee will review administrative costs, test fees and any additional costs annually to provide equitable access to multilingual learners and students furthest from educational justice to testing opportunities. Testing fees vary by language and students who qualify for free/reduced lunch will be offered the assessments at no cost to the student or family.

Reporting Results

The Department will receive official test results for each student participating in the assessment process. The district will provide a letter to the student/family with a copy of the test results and a determination of how many World Language credits, if any, will be awarded. If requested by the student/family, the school will record the World Language credits earned on the official transcript with a grade of “pass.”

Policy Cross Reference

• 2409 – Mastery-Based Credit

Revisions

• April 6, 2022

Approved

• December 7, 2011