World Language Credit by Proficiency

LWSD is part of a statewide initiative to recognize our students' diverse language competencies. For more information on the statewide initiative, please refer to OSPI Competency-Based Credits for World Languages.

In addition to American Sign Language (ASL), French, Japanese and Spanish high school courses, Lake Washington School District (LWSD) also offers World Language Credit by Proficiency for any language. 

High school students can earn up to a maximum of four credits and the Seal of Biliteracy through this program. Students are assessed in reading, writing, speaking and listening.

Watch the video to learn more about the World Language Credit by Proficiency program (video available in more languages).

English
Spanish

Test information

LWSD uses different tests to accommodate all languages. The three most common tests used are Avant STAMP 4s, Avant WS (WorldSpeak) and ALTA. 

TEST languages Sample tests, examples & benchmarks
Avant STAMP 4S Arabic (Modern Standard), Chinese (Mandarin – Simplified), Chinese (Mandarin – Traditional), French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian, Spanish
Avant WS (WorldSpeak) Amharic, Armenian, Cabo Verdean, Chin (Hakha), Chuukese, Czech, Filipino (Tagalog), Haitian Creole, Hawaiian, Hmong, Ilocano, Kannada, Marathi, Marshallese, Samoan, Somali Maay Maay, Somali Maxaa, Tamil, Telugu, Turkish, Urdu, Vietnamese, Yup'ik, Zomi
ALTA See all languages tested by ALTA.
Avant STAMP 3S Swahili, Yoruba
Custom test All other languages including ASL Please register and a specialist will reach out to you regarding your custom test.

 


2023-24 Test Dates

  • November 15 at EHS at 2 p.m.
  • February 7 at JHS at 2 p.m.
  • March 6 at LWHS at 2 p.m.
  • April 24 at RHS at 2 p.m.

Students in 8th to 12th grade are eligible to take the World Language proficiency testing. Students may test at any location, even if it is not their home school. Transportation is not provided. 

Test process

Step 1: Register 
Please register below for the World Language Biliteracy Testing. You will receive additional registration information (e.g., testing room number) approximately 1-2 weeks prior to the test date. In order to earn credit, students must write in, speak in, read in, AND listen in the language in which they are being tested.

Click here to register

Step 2: Test day

  • For the STAMP, WorldSpeak and custom tests: bring your photo ID, fully charged laptop and laptop charger.
  • For the ALTA test: bring your photo ID and a black pen.

Step 3: Receive test results
Six to eight weeks after taking the test you will receive a letter from the district informing you of your scores and how much credit you earned, as well as official score reports from the testing company. Please note that credits are awarded based on the lowest level of proficiency demonstrated in reading, writing, listening and speaking. The credits you earned will be available in Skyward under the "Test Scores" and “Portfolio” tabs. Scores and credits will also be shared with your counselor and the registrar at your school. They will add this information to your transcript.

Questions?
If you have any questions about testing, please contact the assessment team at AssessmentHelp@lwsd.org.

 


Credit by proficiency FAQs