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).
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
- October 11 at EHS, JHS, LWHS and RHS at 8:30 a.m. (This option is only available to 9th graders or 11th/12th graders not participating in PSAT/SAT testing.)
- 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.
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
- Who can earn World Language Credit by Proficiency?
- Can I take the test if am still learning English?
- Which languages are eligible for credit?
- How many credits can I earn?
- Can a world language competency test that was taken at another organization be used for credit in Lake Washington?
- How much does testing cost?
- How do I know if I’m ready to take the test?
- What happens if I don’t do well on the test?
- Can I test more than once?
- When can I test?
- Will the writing section be handwritten or typed?
- What kind of keyboard can I use for typing the written section?
- How is the test assessed?
- How can I get help to develop my language skills?
- How can I continue learning languages?
- What if I already took classes in and earned credit in the language I am testing in?
- What happens if I am currently in a language class and I take the test in the same language?
- What happens if I am in a Spanish-for-Heritage Learners course?
- What kind of credit will this generate?
- When will credits be posted to my transcript?
- Will this affect my GPA?
- Can I use these proficiency credits to satisfy high school graduation requirements?
- Will earning language credits via the Credit by Proficiency Program be considered on my college applications?
- What is the Seal of Biliteracy?
- How do students find out their scores?