Hello again, World Language Washingtonians!
As you might have noticed (or maybe not), it has been a minute since the last newsletter. However, World Languages has been far from inactive and it's finally time to catch you all up!
First and most importantly, the Seal of Biliteracy Rules Change is official! On March 10, after many months, meetings, and modifications, the requirements for students earning the Seal now reflect the changing educational environment in Washington. English proficiency is now demonstrated by meeting pathway ELA requirements instead of having to pass the Smarter Balanced Assessment with a particular score. With the passing of HB1599 (Multiple Pathways to Graduation), the requirements for the Seal were not in alignment with the law. Now students can show evidence in ALL pathways - Postsecondary Education, CTE Fields, and Military Careers. See the OSPI Updates section below to learn more about the rules revision.
Secondly, the Washington State Seal of Biliteracy website has been updated! While the plan is for more changes in the coming months, districts, educators, students, and families alike can now clearly see the process for implementation and assessment. Do you know how early you can start assessing students for the Seal? When is the latest date your district can report Seals Earned? Does the Seal of Biliteracy have official colors? Check out the page to find out!
Finally, the Language Proficiency Approved Assessment Option List for Competency-based Credits and the Seal of Biliteracy has its own page on the OSPI Website! While the downloadable Excel spreadsheet is still available, now anyone can search by language to see what, and if, assessments are currently available. This includes all the previously available tests (STAMP 4S/WS, ALTA, AP, etc.) as well as some newly approved ones (STAMP Monolingual, NEWL). The rules steps for Tribal Language are included as well. And if the language you need to assess is not available yet, request a Custom Test.
Thank you for your patience in my silence. Spring is a busy time of year with the legislative session just ending, assessment season in the horizon, and of course, the weeds in my garden calling. But I am always here behind the scenes, trying to improve the systems we have and to create new systems we don't.
Don't hesitate to reach out to me with suggestions or improvements for the site.
Dr. Veronica
veronica.trapani@k12.wa.us
360-819-0950
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WAC 392-410-350 Seal of Biliteracy Rules Revision
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Updated Rules for English Proficiency
To earn the Seal of Biliteracy, students must demonstrate proficiency in English. English proficiency must be demonstrated by meeting the statewide minimum graduation requirements in English language arts for the student’s chosen pathway established by the State Board of Education under RCW 28A.655.250. If a student has shown enough English proficiency to graduate, then that is appropriate to prove English proficiency for the Seal. Students in all graduation pathways or an approved waiver during SY21-22 are eligible for the Seal.
Updated Rules for World Language Proficiency
To earn the Seal of Biliteracy, students must also demonstrate proficiency in one or more world languages. World language proficiency must be established by achieving at least intermediate-mid proficiency on all test components aligned to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) scale. Tests which are not aligned to the ACTFL scale must show equivalent proficiency. Assessments must be national or international and approved by OSPI. The list of approved assessments are maintained and updated as needed by OSPI.
All world languages are suitable to assess for the Seal, including Classical languages (Latin, Sanskrit, Ancient Greek), American Sign Language, and Tribal languages. However, computer science or programming languages do not count toward World Language credits.
Updated Rules for Tribal Language Proficiency
For Tribal languages, honoring tribal sovereignty, tribal consultation, and government to government relationships between Tribes and districts, each Tribe determines the level of proficiency students need to be considered biliterate. Tribes develop the methods and processes for determining proficiency in their respective Tribal languages. Teachers who instruct Tribal languages must be certified through the First Peoples’ Language, Culture, and Oral Traditions Certification Program (WAC 181-78A-700). Affirmation that students have successfully earned the Seal of Biliteracy for Tribal languages follows the agreed processes determined through consultation with each Tribe. For additional information, please contact the Office of Native Education.
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 Districts awarding the Seal of BIliteracy in SY20-21
This page is one-of-a-kind nationally. It contains the list of approved providers and assessments for language proficiency testing. These assessments can be used to earn Competency-based Credit, Dual Credit, and the Washington State Seal of Biliteracy. While the page is periodically updated, contact the providers for the most up-to-date information. Example images are provided below.
Before searching for assessment options, determine what information you currently have or need, including:
- student language
- previous assessments used by school/district
- price point
- who will pay for the assessment
Refer back to your school board policy if you're unsure, as these vary by district.
Note: There is no "one-size-fits-all" assessment. Different tests are better suited to different student populations. Carefully consider the needs of your students when selecting assessments.
Search by one of the two options:
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Language: Select a language to see all currently available assessments for that language. All listed languages have at least one assessment available. Different assessments might have dialect options and are included as a different option provided in parentheses after the main language.
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Provider: Select a provider to see all assessments available from that provider.
If you do not see a language, please request a Custom Test. Before requesting a Custom Test, please check that you have spelled the language correctly.
 Image 1: After selecting Arabic and clicking, "Apply", the viewer will show all assessments which are currently available for Arabic.
 Image 2: Once an assessment is clicked, an expandable menu appears with information about skills tested, minimum score requirements, and how to reward credits.
New Custom Testing Request Form
OSPI is excited to announce a new Custom Testing Request site ! In cooperation with Extempore, we will continue the service started by WAFLT to offer Custom Testing for languages that are not currently supported by the major testing companies. All languages are eligible for World Language Competency-Based Credits and the Washington State Seal of Biliteracy for assessment. District and school officials may send a request directly through the website.
For Super LCTLs, finding evaluators can be a lengthy process, sometimes taking months. It is important for requests to come as soon as possible and to prioritize current students in grade 11 and 12 for credit and Seal purposes. However, no restriction exists for how heritage languages can be assessed.
Super Less Commonly Taught Languages Evaluator Search
To supply evaluation services for Custom Testing, Avant Assessment needs native/near-native and literate speakers of super LCTLS. Please contact Lisa Werner, Avant’s Super LCTL Program Manager to learn more!
Currently, there is a need for these languages:
Bisaya/Visaya | Cebuano | Dinka | Fijian | Fur | Icelandic | Karen | Kirundi | Kosraean | Krio | Kunama | Lingala | Mandinka | Palauan | Pohnpeian (Micronesian) | Soninke | Toishanese | Tongan
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Wait, where's the LANGUAGE content?!
Looking for all the language resources you love? We've moved them to a separate, supplemental publication, "The Language Lab". Coming soon to an inbox near you!
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