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2409 (P) - Credit for Competency/Proficiency

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE No. 2409

CREDIT FOR COMPETENCY/PROFICIENCY

 World Languages

A. Definition:
A world language is defined according to 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).
• 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. Appropriate assessments for American Sign Language such as the Sign Language Proficiency Interview (SLPI).
• For languages that do not currently have any other nationally available proficiency based assessment, the district will work with local language communities and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) World Languages Program to develop a collection of evidence process, such as LinguaFolio, that is aligned with ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines.

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. Offering Testing Opportunities
The district will manage the assessment process so that students have opportunities to take or retake the assessments required to demonstrate proficiency. Assessments will be offered up to twice per year in a proctored setting with appropriate technology. The district will approve the site(s) where the assessments are offered, which may include individual schools, district buildings, community colleges, universities, educational service districts, or other appropriate settings.

E. Paying for Assessments
The district will set a fee for the assessments to cover administrative costs, test fees, and/or proctoring, in addition to any other costs that may be incurred. Fees may vary depending on the assessment costs. The district may offer financial assistance to students who demonstrate need.

F. 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 will record the World Language Credits earned on the official transcript with a grade of “pass.”

Seal of Biliteracy
The district will award the Seal of Biliteracy to each student who demonstrates intermediate-mid level or higher proficiency based on ACTFL guidelines, using an assessment approved by OSPI for competency-based credits.

State, National, or Recongized Graduation Pathway Assessments
State and national test scores may be used to show competency in two ways: challenging courses; or as a tool for students to recover credit for previously failed courses in math or English.

Students who want to use test results to challenge courses or for recovery of credit may request that the competency grade (P) be posted to their transcript for certain courses as designated in Table #1 and Table #2. Students who are not planning on replacing the course with a credit bearing course in that subject area should be advised of the potential adverse effect on college admission.

Table # 1: Credit for Meeting Standard on the State Assessment – Summary Chart

State Assessment

Score

Possible Proficiency Credit(s) earned for Challenging a Course(s)

Possible Retrieval Credit(s) earned for a Credit Retrieval Course(s)

Algebra End of Course Assessment

>=Level 3

1.0 credit in Algebra 1

Up to 1.0 credit in Algebra 1

Geometry End of Course Assessment

>=Level 3

1.0 credit in Geometry

Up to 1.0 credit in Geometry

Grade 10 Comprehensive Math Test

>=Level 3

1.0 credit in Algebra 1

OR

1.0 credit in Geometry

Up to 1.0 credit total, applied to Algebra 1, Geometry,

or partial credit in each (not to exceed 1.0 total credit)

Grade 10 Comprehensive Math Test

>=Level 4

1.0 credit in Algebra 1

AND

1.0 credit in Geometry

Up to 2.0 credits total, applied to Algebra 1, Geometry,

or partial credit in each (not to exceed 2.0 total credits)

Grade 10 Comprehensive Math Test

>=Level 4+

[need to define 4+]

1.0 credit in Algebra 1

AND

1.0 credit in Geometry

AND

1.0 credit in Algebra 2

Up to 3.0 credits total, applied to Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, or partial credit in each (not to exceed 3.0 total credits)

Grade 10 Comprehensive ELA Test

>=Level 3

1.0 credit in English 9

OR

1.0 credit in English 10

Up to 1.0 credit total, applied to English 9, English 10

or partial credit in each (not to exceed 1.0 total credit)

Grade 10 Comprehensive ELA Test

>=Level 4

1.0 credit in English 9

AND

1.0 credit in English 10

Up to 2.0 credits total, applied to English 9, English 10

or partial credit in each (not to exceed 2.0 total credits)

Grade 10 Comprehensive ELA Test

>=Level 4+ [need to define 4+]

1.0 credit in English 9

AND

1.0 credit in English 10

AND

1.0 credit in English 11

Up to 3.0 credits total, applied to English 9, English 10, English 11, or partial credit in each (not to exceed 2.0 total credits)

 

Students who meet standard on the following nationally administered assessments may recover credit for previously failed courses or earn proficiency credit by challenging the course in the following ways:

Table # 2: Credit for Meeting Standard on Nationally Administered Assessments

National Assessment

Score

Possible Proficiency Credit(s) earned for Challenging a Course(s)

Possible Retrieval Credit(s) earned for a Credit Retrieval Course(s)

PSAT/NMSQT/SAT Math

Min. 470

1.0 credit in Algebra 1

Up to 1.0 credit in Algebra 1

PSAT/NMSQT/SAT Math

Min. 500

1.0 credit in Algebra 1

AND

1.0 credit in Geometry

Up to 2.0 credits total, applied to Algebra 1, Geometry, or partial credit in each (not to exceed 2.0 total credits)

PSAT/NMSQT/SAT ERW

Min. 470

1.0 credit in English 9

Up to 1.0 credit in English 9

PSAT/NMSQT/SAT ERW

Min. 500

1.0 credit in English 9

AND

1.0 credit in English 10

Up to 2.0 credits total, applied to English 9, English 10, or partial credit in each (not to exceed 2.0 total credits)

ACT Math

Min. 19

1.0 credit in Algebra 1

Up to 1.0 credit in Algebra 1

ACT Math

Min. 21

1.0 credit in Algebra 1

AND

1.0 credit in Geometry

Up to 2.0 credits total, applied to Algebra 1, Geometry, or partial credit in each (not to exceed 2.0 total credits)

ACT English + Reading Combined

Min. 39

1.0 credit in English 9

Up to 1.0 credit in English 9

ACT English + Reading Combined

Min. 42

1.0 credit in English 9

AND

1.0 credit in English 10

Up to 2.0 credits total, applied to English 9, English 10, or partial credit in each (not to exceed 2.0 total credits)

 

Table # 3: Credits for Proficiency on Advance Placement Assessment

AP Exams

Score

Possible Proficiency Credit(s) earned for Challenging a Course(s)

Possible Retrieval Credit(s) earned for a Credit Retrieval Course(s)

Biology

2

1.0 Science Credit

 

Calculus AB

2

1.0 Math Credit

 

Calculus BC

2

1.0 Math Credit

 

Chemistry

2

1.0 Science Credit

 

English Language and Comp

2

1.0 English Credit

 

English Literature and Comp

2

1.0 English Credit

 

Environmental Science

2

1.0 Science Credit

 

French Language and Culture

2

1.0 World Language Credit

 

Macroeconomics 2    
Microeconomics 2    
Physics 1 2 1.0 Science Credit  
Physics B 2 1.0 Science Credit  
Psychology 2 1.0 Social Studies Credit  
Spanish Language and Culture 2 1.0 World Language Credit  
Statistics 2 1.0 Math Credit  
Studio Art - 2D 2 1.0 Fine Arts Credit  
US Government and Politics 2 1.0 Social Studies Credit  
US History 2 1.0 Social Studies Credit  

  

Table # 4: Credits for Proficiency on ASVAB

AP Exams

Score

Possible Proficiency Credit(s) earned for Challenging a Course(s)

Possible Retrieval Credit(s) earned for a Credit Retrieval Course(s)

ASVAB

31

1.0 Math Credit,
1.0 Science Credit, OR
1.0 English Credit

 

  

Issued: September 2013
Revised: February 2022

WALLA WALLA PUBLIC SCHOOLS • 364 South Park St. • Walla Walla, WA 99362 • Phone: 509-527-3000 • Fax: 509.529.7713

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