Credit by Proficiency

Any high school student with strong skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening in a language other than English can earn credit. Students using American Sign Language may also earn credit. Students need to complete a self-assessment of their skills before testing, and get parent permission.

Yes.

Yes. ELL students are encouraged to take the test. However, we strongly recommend students take the test when they are at an intermediate or advanced level of English language skill - this is because the test instructions will all be in English, making the test challenging for a beginning ELL student.

Any language that has written and spoken forms, as well as American Sign Language.

Students can earn 1-4 credits.
 

No. Budget constraints limit testing to one language.

The first language test comes at no cost to the student. If a student chooses to retest the following academic year, there will be a fee based on the cost of the assessment.

There is no negative posting on transcripts or other records. 

Students can opt to retest, at their own cost, in the following academic year.

To register, students will attend an information session, complete a self-assessment, get parent permission, and take a practice test. This will happen across the high school campuses, and be advertised at the school. Students must complete these steps, and turn in parent permission in order to test. 

The process will be offered at each high school site once each academic year. If testing has completed at a school, you will need to wait until the next year. See registration page for schedule for the current school year.

During or after the information sessions, you will complete a self-assessment that will help you identify your proficiency level. If your level is high enough, and you want to earn the credit, you are encouraged to take the test. 

The test varies depending on language. Some tests are completed on the computer. Others are partially completed on the computer, and have written component. Some are all paper/pencil. All the tests also include a speaking and/or listening component, as well as reading and writing assessments. For French, German and Spanish you can take a practice assessment online. For other languages, you will learn about the assessment during the information session. 

In most cases, testing will happen at the student’s home school.

You can practice your skills by reading things you enjoy in the languages you are learning, as well as finding opportunities to write – letters, email, blogging, etc…. You can also practice your speaking skills with friends and families that speak the language. In some cases, you may be able to find opportunities in the community to study the language.  Highline has an on-line Canvas course which is ideal for strengthening your language skills.  Check with the test coordinator at your home school for more information.

Talk to your counselor about options in your school that would work for your schedule. 

Additional credit for proficiency earned at the high school level will only be awarded for levels above the credit already earned. If you have earned credit for content based language courses, for example - Spanish for Native Speakers, any credits earned via this program will be in addition to credits you have earned.

Students are expected to successfully complete, and earn credit in, any language class they are in - credit by proficiency will not be granted for classes they are currently enrolled in.

Spanish-for-Native Speakers is a different type of language class than other World Language classes; a full range of proficiency credits can be earned in addition to credits earned through Spanish-for-Native Speakers course.

World Language credits will be generated, with unique course names that indicate the language, level, and that it was earned through proficiency.

Processing test results can take 8-12 weeks.

No. Because proficiency credit does not have a “grade,” it is GPA-neutral.

Having your language proficiency valued on your high school transcript is a valuable addition to any college application. Not only will you display your language proficiency attests to a level of proficiency in a foreign language but can use the credits towards meeting the foreign language admission requirement for many colleges and universities.