World Language Credit Testing

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 beable 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. [Listening]
• I can understand the main idea and some details in simple texts that contain familiar vocabulary. [Reading]
• I can exchange information with another person about familiar tasks, topics and activities. [Person-to-Person Communication]
• I can use a series of phrases and sentences to provide basic information about familiar topics. [Spoken Production]
• I can write simple descriptions and short messages and request or provide information on familiar topics. [Writing]

If you feel like you need practice in your language, here are some example tasks for practicing your writing or speaking in your language. (These specific tasks will not be on the test.)

Different languages use different tests. Find your language, then you’ll see which test(s) you need to sign up for. (On the website you’ll find a drop-down menu listing almost all of the languages and which tests they use.)

Visit OSPI > Students Earn Credits.

Learn more about the tests:

• Standards-based Measurement of Proficiency (STAMP) offered through Avant Assessment. (Try out the Sample Tests.) The STAMP test typically takes about 1 1/2 hours to 3 hours. It is not timed.
• American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Writing Proficiency Test (WPT), Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI), OPI computer-based (OPIc), and ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency (AAPPL) offered through  Language Testing International (LTI).
• WorldSpeak offered through Avant Assessment. The format is similar to STAMP but just tests Writing and Speaking in Somali (Maay Maay and Maxaa), Tagalog, Vietnamese and several other languages.
• ALTA Writing Skills Assessment and Speaking and Listening Assessment offered through  ALTA Language Services.
• Custom tests in Writing and Speaking for other languages not available through Avant, LTI, or ALTA offered through the Washington Association for Language Teaching ( WAFLT Custom Testing). 
• SLPI: Sign Language Proficiency Interview for American Sign Language (ASL) offered through  North Carolina ASLTA.

Once you know which test(s) you need to take, then find a date and location that will work for you.

After you complete the test(s) for your language, Seattle Schools should receive your test results within a few weeks. The Seattle Schools Office of ELL and International Programs will provide a letter indicating proficiency levels attained in the tested language and high school credit equivalencies based on the recommendations in the state’s Model Procedure for competency-based credits, which Seattle Schools adopted in 2011, as well as a copy of your test results. The student packet and a similar letter for the school will be sent to the school that you attend. Please contact the school counselor to receive your packet. Then arrange with the counselor for the credits to be added to your transcript. There are specific course codes that the counselor needs to enter foryour language.

Credit will be granted if students meet the following levels of proficiency across the language skills tested for each language:

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

Note: If you qualify for 4 competency-based credits, that means you are considered “Proficient” in your language and you meet the language criterion for earning the Seal of Biliteracy. Your transcript will be updated to reflect that fact after your testing is complete. When you graduate, your transcript will be updated to show that the Seal of Biliteracy was “Earned” for your language.

Questions? Contact Gosia Stone mjstone@seattleschools.org or Dr. Thad Williams tbwilliams@seattleschools.org