Procedure for 2409 Credit for Competency/Proficiency
Credit for Competency/Proficiency
A. Definition:
A. For purposes of this procedure, a world language is defined according to the definition used by the Higher Education Coordinating Board as ― 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. However, neither computer ‘languages’ nor forms of deaf signing aside from AMESLAN are acceptable.
B. Demonstrating Competency/Proficiency in a World Language
The district will manage the assessment process so that students seeking competency based credit can demonstrate competency/proficiency across language skills. Assessments will be aligned to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Proficiency Guidelines in order to ensure consistency across languages. The district 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 (as of 2010, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Chinese). STAMP is offered by Avant Assessment (http://avantassessment.com).
- American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (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. ACTFL assessments are offered through Language Testing International (http://www.languagetesting.com).
- For languages that do not currently have any other nationally available proficiency based assessment, the district will contact the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) World Languages Program for consultation. Competency based credit may or may not be awarded.
- If Stanwood High School or Lincoln Hill High School does not have more than 10 students taking a specific test in one school year, each school will utilize the Washington Association for Language Teaching (WAFLT) to conduct Small-Scale World Language Proficiency testing. WAFLT uses both the STAMP and ACTFL testing agencies.
C. Determining Competency and Credit Equivalencies
The district will award one or more credits based on the student demonstrating an overall proficiency level according to the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines as follows:
- Novice Mid – 1 credit (Carnegie Unit)
- Novice High – 2 credits
- Intermediate Low – 3 credits
- Intermediate Mid – 4 credits
Since students may demonstrate varied levels of proficiency across skills, credits will be awarded based on the lowest common level of proficiency demonstrated across the skill areas.
(Example: If a student demonstrated Intermediate Mid level proficiency in Speaking, but Novice Mid in Reading and Writing, then credits would be awarded based on the lowest common level of demonstrated proficiency, i.e. one credit for Novice Mid. The student would not receive individual credits for separate language skills. In this example, the student would not receive four credits for Intermediate Mid in Speaking and one credit each for Novice Mid in Reading and Writing. The total award is one World Language credit.)
D. State Exams
Students who met standard on state exams may recover credit for previously failed courses in the following manner:
Math
- Students may recover one-half (0.5) credit ALGEBRA OR GEOMETRY on a state math assessment or approved state alternative that meets the graduation pathway requirement.
Science
- Students may recover one-half (0.5) credit BIOLOGY CREDIT FOR A PREVIOUSLY FAILED BIOLOGY COURSE by meeting standard on the state science assessment.
Language Arts
- Students may recover one-half (0.5) credit for a previously failed 9th or 10th grade required Language Arts course by meeting standards on the state assessment in ELA or approved state alternative that meets the graduation pathway requirement.
E. GED & Institutional Education:
For students in or from institutional education facilities, the district will award 1.0 credit for achieving a passing score on a GED test in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, and/or Science.
F. Offering Testing Opportunities
The district will manage the assessment process so that students have multiple opportunities to take or retake the assessment(s) required to demonstrate proficiency. Assessments must be offered in a proctored setting with appropriate technology. The district will approve the site(s) where the assessments are offered, which could include individual schools, district buildings, community colleges, universities, educational service districts, or other community settings.
G. Paying for Assessments
Fees may vary depending on the assessment costs. Stanwood High School and Lincoln Hill High School will pay for the first test a student takes for a specific language area. The student/family is responsible for all fees accrued through retesting.
H. Reporting Results
The district will receive official test results for each student participating in the assessment process. The district will provide a letter to the student with a copy of the test results and an indication of how many world language credits, if any, may be awarded. If requested by the student, the school counselors will record the world language credits earned on the official transcript. Credits will be awarded with a grade of ―Pass.
I. Graduation Requirements
All current graduation requirements per Board Policy and Procedure 2410, High School Graduation Requirements, must be adhered to.
J. NCAA Requirements
The student/family is responsible to be knowledgeable of the requirements of NCAA eligibility requirements and how competency based credits may affect NCAA eligibility.
Updated Date: 5/15/25
Adoption Date: 11.17.15
Stanwood-Camano School District