The State Board of Education and OSPI have now updated our websites with information about Credit for Proficiency.
On the World Languages Web Pages:
1. Laws & Regulations: http://www.k12.wa.us/WorldLanguages/Laws.aspx
There’s a box about…
Competency-Based Credits
In July, 2010, the Washington State Board of Education (SBE) approved a model policy and procedure for districts to offer competency-based credits for world languages (i.e. based on a student's demonstrated proficiency in a language). The model policy and procedure have been distributed to local school boards by the Washington State School Directors' Association (WSSDA).
The OSPI World Languages program is eager to work with districts that are interested in adopting/adapting the model policy and procedure in their districts. We can also assist in arranging appropriate testing sites.
For more details, read:
· SBE FAQs on World Language Proficiency
· Model Policy
· Model Procedure
· Assessment Options
· District Worksheet
Questions? Email michele.aoki@k12.wa.us.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2. Languages in Washington: http://www.k12.wa.us/WorldLanguages/WLinWashington.aspx
There’s a Q&A about it…
Can students earn high school credits for a language that they learned outside of school?
Possibly. In July, 2010, the Washington State Board of Education (SBE) approved a model policy and procedure for districts to offer competency-based credits for world languages. The model policy and procedure have been distributed to local school boards by the Washington State School Directors' Association (WSSDA). If the students are in a district that has implemented the model policy and procedure (or some variation), then the students may well be able to earn credits based on proficiency (skills in using the language).
If your district has not yet implemented the policy and procedure, contact the school board and district superintendent to let them know that the OSPI World Languages program is eager to work with districts that are interested in adopting/adapting the model policy and procedure in their districts. We can also assist in arranging appropriate testing sites. (Contact michele.aoki@k12.wa.us.)
For more details, see: SBE FAQs on World Language Proficiency, Model Policy, Model Procedure, Assessment Options, District Worksheet.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What’s Next
· I’ve already heard from about 3-4 districts that are starting to work on implementing the model policy/procedure.
>> Let me know if your district is doing that! I can provide technical assistance.
· I am contacting colleges/universities about offering proctored testing. Pacific Lutheran University and the University of Washington have already agreed to do that.
>> Let me know if there are other colleges/universities that would consider it. (They need to provide a lab with Internet access and headsets with microphones for students who would take the STAMP assessment.)
· I am seeking grant funds to offset the cost of assessments for “Less Commonly Taught Languages” like Russian and Vietnamese. I am also working to get access to LinguaFolio Online through the Center for Applied Second Language Studies (CASLS).
>> If you have ideas for additional funding, let me know.
· We need to start identifying students who might be eligible for credit for proficiency.
>> Have them try out the LinguaFolio Checklists to see what proficiency levels they think they are at:
https://sites.google.com/site/worldlanguageswashington/assessment/linguafolio-wa/LinguafolioWACreditforProficiency.doc
https://sites.google.com/site/worldlanguageswashington/assessment/linguafolio-wa/LinguafolioWA_Progress_Report.doc
If you’d like to learn more about LinguaFolio, come to the October 30 workshop for the Chinese Language Teachers Association:
http://confucius.washington.edu/linguafolio_oct30201/
Resources for Catholic Educators
Categories
OCS Message