Seal of Biliteracy

The Washington State Seal of Biliteracy is established to recognize public high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading and writing in one or more world languages in addition to English. “Participating school districts with students eligible to receive the seal shall place a notation on a student’s high school diploma and high school transcript indicating that the student has earned the seal.” (RCW 28A.230.125)
The seal will be available to districts to formally recognize students that demonstrate:

• Proficiency in English
  Passed ELA state assessment
  Met ELA graduation requirements
• Proficiency in a language other than English
  Eligible to receive four credits on one of the state approved world language competency-based tests
  Receives a score of three or higher on the AP Language Exam.
  Receives a  score of four or higher on the IB Language Exam.

• Heritage speakers who meet the criteria.
• Students who have lived abroad and acquired reading, writing and speaking skills in a language other than English.
• Students who have learned a language in a coursework environment who meet the requirements.

• Marked on student’s transcript.
• Seal from the state to go on diploma.

Click below to find out which tests you need to take to qualify. 

Language and Assessment Test List

More about the Assessments (Tests) and Credits:

Depending on your language, you will take one or more of several available assessments to determine your proficiency. It may be on the computer, over the phone and/or through an evaluation of evidence collected in a LinguaFolio Online Collection of Evidence and Proctored Writing and Proctored Oral Language Tests. All assessments will be evaluated based on ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines 2012 from the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). Credit will be granted if you meet the following levels of proficiency:

Novice Mid - 1 credit
Novice High - 2 credits
Intermediate Low - 3 credits
Intermediate Mid - 4 credits

Credit will appear on the transcript with a “P” for pass as the grade mark.

If you are taking the STAMP test, you do not need to attend the Linguafolio workshop.

If you are taking the WPT or a Proctored Writing Assessment, you must complete a Linguafolio self-assessment at home prior to the Linguafolio session you registered for or you must attend at least one Linguafolio workshop prior to your assessment day.

To sign up for the World Language Competency Credit Test, click below. Once you register, you'll be sent more information.

World Language Competency Test Sign Up

The Standards-based Measurement of Proficiency is offered through Avant Assessment. Currently, it is available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese (simplified and traditional characters), French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish and Russian.

STAMP Benchmarks & Rubric Guide
STAMP 4S Test Taker Guide

STAMP SAMPLE TESTS

A: The STAMP is a computer-adaptive assessment of proficiency. It is based on general expectations of what a person should be able to read, understand or talk about at various proficiency levels (from novice to intermediate to advanced). Therefore, it is not oriented to any particular program or curriculum. For immersion students, the challenge sometimes is that they have learned more specialized language in the content areas they’ve studied (such as math, science, social studies) and may not be as familiar with general language topics, such as sports, theater, leisure activities, travel, etc. While there is no particular “test prep” course to take, it is a good idea for students to do the following: • Review the test taker guide for STAMP. • Take the practice test so they are familiar with the technology and “feel” of the STAMP (note that the practice test does not include the listening component). • Review the STAMP benchmarks and rubrics. • This shows the typical topics covered in the STAMP at the various levels. If you see topics that you are not familiar with at all (for example, occupations/professions or health), it might be worth reviewing some materials on those topics in the immersion language to gain greater familiarity with the terminology (although STAMP is NOT a vocabulary test).

A: The district encourages all immersion students in grades 9-12 to sign up to take the STAMP. During Washington World Language Assessment Days, students have as much time as they need to complete the test and they’ll complete all four sections on one day. They will be with other students who are also highly motivated to do well on the test so they will earn as many credits as possible. In addition, students who participate in Washington World Language Assessment Days will receive a certificate of recognition and letter from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education that they can include with their college applications.

A: Probably not. The Higher Education Coordinating Board has made it explicit that competency-based credits for world languages are accepted for college admissions in the state’s four-year colleges. However, it would be wise for the student to take and earn seat-time credits (and grades) for a higher level language class than the ones for which they earned competency-based credits. For example, if the student earned two competency-based credits for Japanese, then the student should take at least Japanese 3 (for a grade) in high school. The hope is that immersion students will continue their language study in high school to reach the advanced level in that language before starting college.

A: No. The procedure for competency-based credits allows students to earn at most four competency-based credits in one language.

A: If an immersion student does not succeed in demonstrating proficiency through the STAMP, there may be a variety of factors to look at. First, did the student actually complete all sections of the STAMP and produce measurable samples for the speaking component? (If not, it might be possible for the student to retake the STAMP later this spring.) Second, if the student is simply not able to demonstrate the levels of proficiency required in all skill areas, the student may still be able to receive seat-time credit for the language courses completed in school.

A: Yes. A student can retake the STAMP test by registering for another date when the test is offered. However, the district will only sponsor the test once, so the student who is retaking the test would need to pay the registration fee.