World Language Competency Credits (WLCC)

Credits and the Seal of Biliteracy will be added to a students' transcript roughly 7 school-weeks after the test has ended

Our current testing infrastructure is designed to test high school students. Middle school students are asked to wait until 9th grade to take the test. Some of the tests are only appropriate for older students, since they are designed for business and the military.

Students in Bellevue Digital Discovery, International or Big Picture may sign up for either the test at Sammamish High School or the district-wide make-up test.

The test is based on language proficiency, and test “what individuals can do with language in terms of speaking, writing, listening, and reading in real-world situations in a spontaneous and non-rehearsed context” – See more at: ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines 2012. Due to the spontaneous nature of the test, note taking is not allowed.

Although it is not directly possible to study for a language proficiency test in a traditional sense, students can practice the four skills and ask for feedback from native speakers.

• Reading: understanding current events websites and children’s stories
• Writing: writing email, short informational articles, and anecdotes about what you did in the past
• Speaking: talking about your life as well as current events
• Listening: understanding the main idea from podcasts or radio

Tests to practice the format will be emailed at least a week before the test.

Complete this online form and upload the original test scores (form with all four tested areas) from your Bellevue School District issued computer. The proctor must be pre-approved.

We calculate the credits based on the lowest score. The lowest score obtained shows the student’s level of proficiency across all skills.

If a student earns 2 or more credits, they will meet the Washington High School graduation requirements. This will allow them to pursue another language or field of study. If the student speaks Arabic, Chinese Mandarin, French, Japanese, Korean or Spanish, they may also be able to continue their study at higher levels in high school.

The credits earned through this program appear on a student's high school transcript. Competency credits meet the language college entrance requirements for many colleges in the State of Washington. Students should verify details with their college or university of interest.

• All approved Competency-based World Language Credits will be posted to the Bellevue School District transcript as credit earned without grades attached to them.
• The approved Competency-based World Language Credits cannot replace an unsatisfactory (D/F) grade posted on the BSD transcript for an equivalent course. It will be posted in a separate area of the BSD transcript.
• Students cannot have duplicate credits for classes already taken.
• After students have received Competency-based World Language Credits for a certain level of a language, they may not take an equivalent or a lower-level class in that same language.
• Students may use approved Competency-based World Language Credits for placement purposes in higher level World Language courses.
• Competency-based World Language Credits may be used to meet World Language graduation requirements.
• Students who receive 4 credits will also automatically qualify for the Seal of Biliteracy.

The test cost is currently $30. The fee may be paid to the accountant at your school or online at Intouch System. Please note those who drop late or are no-shows are still responsible for paying the test fee.

Students who qualify for Free/Reduced Lunch should indicate their eligibility to qualify for a no-cost test.

Credits are calculated based on the student's lowest score across all four skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking). Because your overall proficiency level is determined by your weakest skill, students must score well in every skill to earn credits. A strong score in one area cannot make up for a low score in another as the scores are not averaged.

Students who receive 4 credits will also automatically qualify for the language portion of the Seal of Biliteracy. Students must graduate from a BSD HS to earn the Seal of Biliteracy.

STAMP/Avant scores all skills 5+

ALTA scores all skills 1+

All approved Competency-based World Language Credits will be posted to the Bellevue School District transcript as credit earned without grades attached to them.

The approved Competency-based World Language Credits cannot replace an unsatisfactory (D/F) grade posted on the BSD transcript for an equivalent course. It will be posted in a separate area of the BSD transcript.

Students cannot have duplicate credits for classes already being taken.

After students have received Competency-based World Language Credits for a certain level of a language, they may not take an equivalent or a lower-level class in that same language.

Students may use approved Competency-based World Language Credits for placement purposes in higher level World Language courses.

Competency-based World Language Credits may be used to meet 2 years of World Language graduation requirements.