World Language Proficiency Assessment Options

How to Calculate Credits

Use the lowest score of the four skills to calculate credits since this represents the most consistent skill level.

For instance, if a student scores on the AAPPL:

• Reading: N-4
• Speaking: I-3
• Writing: I-2
• Listening: I-4

Reading (N-4) is the lowest score. Use it to calculate earned credits. This student has earned 2 World Language credits according to the concordance chart.

• Web-based proficiency and performance assessment of K-12 standards-based language learning.
• Interpretive Reading & Listening: immediate results
• Interpersonal & Presentational: results in 2 weeks
• For languages not offered here, check OPI for SOBL.

How to Calculate Credits

Use the score to calculate credits since this represents the most consistent skill level.

For instance, if a student scores on the ALIRA:

Reading: N4

Use the ALIRA score of N4 to calculate credits.

This student has earned 2 credits.

• Four-option, multiple choice, computer-adaptive assessment that can be delivered in a single class period.
• Computer-based
• 50 minutes
• On-demand with school-based proctor

*ALTA does not currently align to ACTFL levels so before testing, let your ALTA representative know that you'll need to differentiate between Low and Mid scores. 

How to Calculate Credits

Use the lowest score of the two skills to calculate credits since this represents the most consistent skill level.
For instance, if a student scores on the ALTA:

• Speaking: ILR 1+
• Writing: ILR 1

Use the ILR rating of 1 to calculate credits.
This student earned either 3 or 4 credits.

• On-demand
• Results within 24 hours

Note: As it currently stands, ALTA's scale does NOT align with ACTFL's proficiency scale.

Districts are encouraged to contact ALTA and ask for an alignment due to Seal of Biliteracy rules.

ALTA is generally used most often for languages that other providers do not offer as their options exceed 100+ options. However, ALTA does not align well with Washington's credit alignment goals because its scoring system is based on the Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR), the scale used by the military and federal government. Educational systems around the country use ACTFL's Proficiency Guidelines.

How to Calculate Competency-based Credits

Use the lowest score of the two skills to calculate credits since this represents the most consistent skill level. For instance, if a student scores:

Speaking: Advanced Low
Writing: Intermediate High

Writing (Intermediate High) is the lowest score. Use it to calculate earned credits. This student has earned 4 World Language credits according to the concordance chart.

• The Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) measures your ability to speak in a particular language. It is an unscripted, approximately 30-minute conversation on the phone with a Certified ACTFL Tester. 
• The Oral Proficiency Interview - Computer (OPIc)  is an on-demand, internet, or phone-delivered proficiency test. In the computer version, an avatar provides a customized series of prompts based on the interests and experience of the test-taker, which are gathered during the survey phase at the beginning of the test. 
• The Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) is delivered via the internet. It consists of several prompts customized to reflect the test-taker's interests and experience, which are gathered through survey questions at the beginning of the assessment.

How to Calculate Credits 

Use the lowest score of the two skills to calculate credits since this represents the most consistent skill level. For instance, if a student scores:

• Speaking: Advanced Low
• Writing: Intermediate High

Use the proficiency level to calculate credits.
This student has earned 4 credits.

• The Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) measures your ability to speak in a particular language. It is an unscripted, approximately 30-minute conversation on the phone with a Certified ACTFL Tester. 
• The Oral Proficiency Interview - Computer (OPIc)  is an on-demand, internet, or phone-delivered proficiency test. In the computer version, an avatar provides a customized series of prompts based on the interests and experience of the test-taker, which are gathered during the survey phase at the beginning of the test. 
• The Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) is delivered via the internet. It consists of several prompts customized to reflect the test-taker's interests and experience, which are gathered through survey questions at the beginning of the assessment.  
• The OPI for the Seal of Biliteracy® is a 20 to 25-minute one-on-one interview between a certified ACTFL tester and an examinee. It is interactive, continuously adapting to each test-taker and their speaking abilities.  
• The WPT for the Seal of Biliteracy® consists of a series of writing tasks that address the presentational and interpersonal modes of communication. It measures how well a person spontaneously writes in a language   

The OPI/OPIC & WPT are geared more toward postsecondary language proficiency assessment. These are the current exams required for Washington state Teaching Licensure as well as National Board Certification. However, if the student is interested in possibly becoming a World Language or Dual-Language educator, it might be in their best interest to take the OPI/OPIc in order to become familiarized with the test and its process before needing to assess for licensure credentials.

How to Calculate Credits

Use the lowest score of the four skills to calculate credits since this represents the most consistent skill level.

For instance, if a student scores on the STAMP 4S:

• Reading: 6
• Speaking: 5
• Writing: 5
• Listening: 6

5 (Speaking and Writing) is the lowest score. Use it to calculate earned credits. This student has earned 4 World Language credits according to the concordance chart.

• Immediate results: listening and reading;
• Results in 3-7 days: speaking and writing
• All assessments meet Washington State Seal of Biliteracy standards
• Monolingual assessments have directions and questions all in the target language.
• Other assessments have the target language and English for directions and questions

Skills Assessed:

• 3S is 3 Skills (Reading, Writing & Speaking)
• 4S and Monolingual are 4 Skills (Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening)
• WS is 2 Skills (Writing & Speaking)
• ASL is 2 Skills (Receptive & Expressive)
• Latin is 1 Skill (Reading)

How to Calculate Competency-based Credits

Use the lowest score of the two skills to calculate credits since this represents the most consistent skill level.

For instance, if a student scores on the STAMP for ASL:
Receptive: 6
Expressive: 5

5 (Expressive) is the lowest score. Use it to calculate earned credits. This student has earned 4 World Language credits according to the concordance cha

• Immediate results: listening and reading;
• Results in 3-7 days: speaking and writing
• All assessments meet Washington State Seal of Biliteracy standards
• Monolingual assessments have directions and questions all in the target language.
• Other assessments have the target language and English for directions and questions

Skills Assessed:

• 4S and Monolingual are 4 Skills (Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening)
• WS is 2 Skills (Writing & Speaking)
• ASL is 2 Skills (Receptive & Expressive)
• Latin is 1 Skill (Reading)

How to Calculate Competency-based Credits

Use the score to calculate credits.

For instance, if a student scores on the STAMP for Latin:
Reading: 4

4 is the score. Use it to calculate earned credits. This student has earned 3 World Language credits according to the concordance chart.

• Immediate results: listening and reading;
• Results in 3-7 days: speaking and writing
• All assessments meet Washington State Seal of Biliteracy standards
• Monolingual assessments have directions and questions all in the target language.
• Other assessments have the target language and English for directions and questions

Skills Assessed:

• 4S and Monolingual are 4 Skills (Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening)
• WS is 2 Skills (Writing & Speaking)
• ASL is 2 Skills (Receptive & Expressive)
• Latin is 1 Skill (Reading)

How to Calculate Competency-based Credits

Use the lowest score of the four skills to calculate credits since this represents the most consistent skill level.

For instance, if a student scores on the STAMP Medical:

• Reading: 6
• Speaking: 5
• Writing: 5
• Listening: 6

5 (Speaking and Writing) is the lowest score. Use it to calculate earned credits. This student has earned 4 World Language credits according to the concordance chart.

• Avant STAMP Medical is an enhancement to the STAMP Spanish family as a proficiency assessment evaluating Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking for healthcare professionals.
• This test follows the same rigorous standards, technology, and computer-adaptive nature as all other Avant STAMP tests. It was developed in collaboration with Southern Connecticut State University’s Spanish for the Professions Program.
• The Writing and Speaking prompts reflect real-world healthcare situations to solicit industry-specific vocabulary and conversation.
• Avant Certified Raters of Spanish are specially trained to score the Writing and Speaking prompts designed to elicit healthcare terminology.

How to Calculate Competency-based Credits

Use the lowest score of the four skills to calculate credits since this represents the most consistent skill level.

For instance, if a student scores on the STAMP Monolingual:
Reading: 6
Speaking: 5
Writing: 5
Listening: 6

5 (Speaking and Writing) is the lowest score. Use it to calculate earned credits. This student has earned 4 World Language credits according to the concordance chart.

• Immediate results: listening and reading;
• Results in 3-7 days: speaking and writing
• All assessments meet Washington State Seal of Biliteracy standards
• Monolingual assessments have directions and questions all in the target language.
• Other assessments have the target language and English for directions and questions

Skills Assessed:

• 4S and Monolingual are 4 Skills (Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening)
• WS is 2 Skills (Writing & Speaking)
• ASL is 2 Skills (Receptive & Expressive)
• Latin is 1 Skill (Reading)

How to Calculate Competency-based Credits

Use the lowest score of the two skills to calculate credits since this represents the most consistent skill level.

For instance, if a student scores on the STAMP 4S:
Speaking: 4
Writing: 3

3 is the lowest score. Use it to calculate earned credits. This student has earned 2 World Language credits according to the concordance chart.

• Immediate results: listening and reading;
• Results in 3-7 days: speaking and writing
• All assessments meet Washington State Seal of Biliteracy standards
• Monolingual assessments have directions and questions all in the target language.
• Other assessments have the target language and English for directions and questions

Skills Assessed:

• 4S and Monolingual are 4 Skills (Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening)
• WS is 2 Skills (Writing & Speaking)
• ASL is 2 Skills (Receptive & Expressive)
• Latin is 1 Skill (Reading)

How to Calculate Competency-based Credits

Use the lowest score of the two skills to calculate credits since this represents the most consistent skill level.

For instance, if a student scores on the STAMP 4S:
Speaking: 4
Writing: 3

3 is the lowest score. Use it to calculate earned credits. This student has earned 2 World Language credits according to the concordance chart.

• Semi-adaptive
• Focuses on productive writing and speaking skills
• Test takers answer seven (7) self-evaluation Can Do questions that best represent their skill/ability level in  Reading and Listening
• Self-evaluated reading score determines the proficiency level of prompts delivered for writing
• Self-evaluated listening score determines the proficiency level of prompts delivered for speaking
• All prompts are in English
• Writing and Speaking scores are typically available 20-22 business days after test completion
   

Language dependent

All Tribal Languages are eligible for Competency-based Credits and the Seal of Biliteracy. The Tribes determine the type of assessment and proficiency level for the student and language. No "one size fits all" options exist for all Tribes. If a student wishes to assess in a language that falls outside of Washington's 29 Federally Recognized Tribes, it is important to contact World Languages and the Office of Native Ed so that OSPI can reach out to those Tribes or Bands. 

• Tribe determines the student’s proficiency level in the Tribal language and recommends the competency-based credits, e.g., 1-4 years of high school World Language credit. 
• Tribal Language proficiency is solely determined by the Tribe and is not dependent upon ACTFL proficiency levels. 
• Four credits of Competency-based Credit are required to earn the Seal of Biliteracy.
• Tribe sends a letter of the student’s language proficiency and recommended Competency-based Credits to the high school registrar. 
• For languages of Washington's 29 Federally-Recognized Tribes, educators must be First Peoples'  Language, Culture and Oral Traditions certified. 
• For languages from Tribes or Bands within Washington state and outside Washington state, please contact Office of Native Education for assistance. 

Skills Assessed: Language Dependent

Dual Credit Available? Contact Office of Native Education

Does not qualify

• Administered in May
• Scores released in July
• Graduated Seniors' scores must be recorded by August 31

AP exams do not count toward Competency-based Credits. Students must have the class on their transcripts. However, students may still earn the Seal of Biliteracy and/or college credit with  AP. This is dependent upon performance and university requirements.

Does not qualify

• Administered in May
• Scores released in July
• Graduated Seniors' scores must be recorded by August 31
• Latin is approved in its current format.

Does not qualify

CI exams do not count toward Competency-based Credits. Students must already have the class on their transcript. However, students may still earn the Seal of Biliteracy and/or college credit with CI. This is dependent upon performance and university requirements. Seniors looking to earn the Seal through CI exams must have their transcripts updated before September 1st of the year in which they graduated. 

Note: Students need either A or AS Levels, not both. A Level exams include all parts of the AS Level but also have an added literature component which leads to the higher cost but also higher credit earned possibilities. Students do not need both.

See District CAIE Coordinator

• Administered in Spring (May/June) or Autumn (October/November)
• Scores back by middle of August (Spring) or January (Autumn)
• Graduated Seniors' scores must be recorded by August 31st

Does not quality

The International Baccalaureate® (IB) assesses student work as direct evidence of achievement against the stated goals of the Diploma Programme (DP) courses.

Language A must be taken in a language other than English to qualify for the Seal of Biliteracy.

Does not quality

The International Baccalaureate® (IB) assesses student work as direct evidence of achievement against the stated goals of the Diploma Programme (DP) courses. 

Language B must be taken in a language other than English to qualify for the Seal of Biliteracy. 

See District IB Coordinator 

• Students must be enrolled in 9th grade or above OR have turned 14 before September 1, 2025, to take the 2026 exams.
• Offered online each spring.

Does not qualify

Österreichisches Sprachdiplom Deutsch (ÖSD) is a state-approved testing and assessment system for German as a foreign and second language. ÖSD exams have a communicative approach, assessing the linguistic and communicative ability of candidates within everyday situations. ÖSD exams align with international standards and are internationally recognized as proof of language competence in German.

Does not qualify

The CELA is a system of examinations that assesses the level of proficiency in the knowledge and use of the Spanish language for communicative interaction in personal, public, and academic settings.

• In person and online
• Application dates throughout the year

Does not qualify

Argentina offers a certificate which is internationally acknowledged: CELU, Certificate of Spanish: Language and Use. 

Does not qualify

The CVCL develops and produces exams for issuing language certificates that attest to the ability to use Italian as a second language and second language at various levels of proficiency and in various contexts.

These certificates, known by the acronym CELI (Certificates of Italian Language), are comparable to the most important certificates issued by European institutions belonging to the ALTE (Italian Language Association) and refer to the learning objectives specified in the Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR); CELI certificates do not expire.

Does not qualify

The Czech Language Certificate Exam for foreigners verifies all five levels of achieved communication competency in accordance with the criteria specified in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (Companion Volume 2018).

Does not qualify

Does not qualify

A suite of qualifications for adults who are learning Welsh, called Defnyddio'r Gymraeg. The suite gives candidates an opportunity to show their ability in speaking, listening, reading, and writing Welsh - at different levels.  Qualifications can be gained by sitting examinations on specific days, and they are open to adults who have learnt Welsh as a second language or who are learning at present.

Does not qualify

The Deutsches Sprachdiploma is an official German language certificate of the German education authorities and the Foreign Office (Germany) certifying levels of knowledge of the German language in schools worldwide. 

Does not qualify

The DELE Spanish diplomas are official qualifications certifying the degree of proficiency and mastery of the Spanish language, awarded by the Cervantes Institute on behalf of the Spanish Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sports.

Does not qualify

DELF junior/scolaire: The diploma in French language studies
4 diplomas: DELF A1 – DELF A2 – DELF B1 – DELF B2
The “junior/scolaire” version is aimed at adolescents.
The DELF makes it possible to confirm French language skills. This diploma is valid for life.

Does not qualify

The Diploma in French for Professions is available in 4 areas (business; international relations; healthcare; tourism, hospitality, and catering) and at different levels (A1-C1).

Does not qualify

Estonian language proficiency examinations are used to test the knowledge of Estonian as the official language. Proficiency examinations are intended for those who wish to apply for citizenship of the Republic of Estonia and/or whose position requires them to prove the level of proficiency in the Estonian language.

Does not qualify

Candidates must turn 14 years old within the calendar year to be eligible to register

Does not qualify

Internationally recognized proof of  German language skills

Does not qualify

Does not qualify

Does not qualify

It is a single multilevel exam that allows you to obtain the SIELE certificate, a document that includes a score from 0 to 1000, the result of the sum of your scores from each of the four tests, and associated with the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Does not qualify

The exams are based on the four-level education programme Slovene as a Second and Foreign Language. All four levels consider the speaker’s level of independence in communicating in Slovene, and all four levels are in line with the Common European Framework.

Does not qualify

Does not qualify

Does not qualify

Issued since 1998 by CCI Paris Ile-de-France, the Test d’évaluation de français (TEF) is an international reference test that measures your level of written and spoken French.
The TEF certification is valid for two years from the date of the test. This certification is internationally recognized by:

• the French Ministry of Education
• the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation
• the French Ministry of the Interior
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
• Québec Ministry of Immigration, Francization and Integration
• the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration

Does not qualify

The TCF "tout public" is aimed at all individuals 16 years old and above whose native language is not French and who want to assess their level of French for academic (students, prospective students, interns, etc.), professional (employees or future employees, etc.) or personal reasons.

TOCFL is a language proficiency test for non-native speakers of Chinese. Anyone who wants to know their Chinese proficiency level, and anyone who wants to study, work, or do business in Chinese-speaking countries is welcome to register for the test.