November 3, 2015
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(X)
Action Required
Informational
MEMORANDUM NO. 063-15M TEACHING & LEARNING
TO:
Educational Service District Superintendents
School District Superintendents
School Building Principals
School District Curriculum Directors
FROM:
Randy I. Dorn, State Superintendent of Public Instruction
RE:
2015–2016 World Language Competency Credits and Testing Information
CONTACT: Angela Dávila, World Languages Program Supervisor
360-725-6129, angela.davila@k12.wa.us
Agency TTY: 360-664-3631
High School Credits for Bilingual Students: Students who speak, read, and write a
language other than English may earn world language credits by demonstrating
proficiency on nationally-recognized assessments. The Office of Superintendent of
Public Instruction (OSPI) and state partners have developed a system of supports to
help districts set up testing. Please share this information with district staff that work
with bilingual students (including directors of curriculum, student services, ELL, and
world languages); as well as world language community partners (including language
schools and non-profits that support bilingual families).

Set up testing in your district: three-step process for organizing the testing
http://k12.wa.us/WorldLanguages/AssessmentDays.aspx

Languages and Testing Options: spreadsheet of language and testing options
and assessment comparison
http://k12.wa.us/WorldLanguages/pubdocs/CompetencyAssessmentOptions.xlsx

Sample Policy and Procedure
http://k12.wa.us/WorldLanguages/AssessmentDays.aspx
MEMORANDUM NO. 063-15M T&L
Page 2
November 3, 2015

Reporting Credits on Transcripts and CEDARS
o Washington State Standardized High School Transcript Changes and
Implementation Schedule (Bulletin 013-12)
o World Language Credit Transcripts
o Course Codes by Language
In the event that your district is unable to do testing at this time, contact
worldlanguage@k12.wa.us.
Seal of Biliteracy: Students who score at the Intermediate-Mid proficiency level on the
competency tests may qualify for the Seal of Biliteracy (see flowchart
http://www.k12.wa.us/WorldLanguages/SealofBiliteracy.aspx). Language learners may
also qualify based on Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate tests. If you
are ready to award the seal, email worldlanguage@k12.wa.us, to receive an imprint for
foil seals and medallions.
Background: Between 2013 and 2015, approximately 3,500 students took world
language competency tests, earning on average three (3) high school credits. The
number of languages expanded as well. Our goal is to develop a system that supports
any bilingual student to receive world language credits by demonstrating language
proficiency. In order to increase student access, OSPI has established a process to
empower and engage school districts to set up competency testing for their bilingual
students and support third party agencies and to offer testing in their communities. The
Washington Association for Language Teachers (WAFLT) will offer support for districts
who need fewer than 25 Standards-Based Measurement of Proficiency (STAMP) tests
or ten from ALTA Language and Language Testing International (LTI). For tests where
no commercial testing is available, we are partnering with WAFLT and Avant
Assessment to offer a written and speaking test.

Overview: video in 12 languages, brochures in 11 languages
http://k12.wa.us/WorldLanguages/CompetencyBasedCredits.aspx

*New* custom tests: updated for languages with no commercial testing option.
These tests are offered by OSPI partner, Washington Association of Teachers of
World Language (WAFLT).
https://sites.google.com/site/worldlanguagecredits/waflt-testing

*New* report: Impact of the Bill and Melinda Gates Grant to fund world language
competency credits in the Roadmap districts.
http://www.k12.wa.us/WorldLanguages/RoadMap/EducationNorthwestImpactofCompetencyBasedCredits.pdf
MEMORANDUM NO. 063-15M T&L
Page 3
November 3, 2015

Report: Impact of the Gates Grant for World Language Competency Credits on
student attitudes toward bilingualism.
http://www.roadmapproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Road-Map-Creditfor-Proficiency-Report.pdf
If you have any questions regarding this memorandum, please contact Angela Dávila at
360-725-6129 or angela.davila@k12.wa.us. The agency TTY number is 360-664-3631.
K–12 EDUCATION
Gil Mendoza, Ed.D.
Deputy Superintendent
TEACHING AND LEARNING
Jessica Vavrus
Assistant Superintendent
RD:sb
OSPI provides equal access to all programs and services without discrimination based on sex, race, creed, religion,
color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender
expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or
service animal by a person with a disability. Questions and complaints of alleged discrimination should be directed to
the Equity and Civil Rights Director at 360-725-6162 or P.O. Box 47200 Olympia, WA 98504-7200.