World Language Credit-by-Assessment
Students: Earn World Language course credits for a language that you already speak!
Eligible PWCS students may earn up to three high school world language credits by demonstrating their proficiency level in one of 41 languages other than English on an approved external assessment. There is no cost to participate if selected for testing.
Eligible students must:
- Be a PWCS student in grades 7-12
- Have not already met (or be on track to meet this year) the world language credit requirement for the Advanced Studies Diploma.
- Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand a language other than English sufficiently to demonstrate Novice High proficiency level or above. Example skills at this proficiency level include:
- Expressing, asking about, and react to preferences, feelings, or opinions on familiar topics in speaking and writing
- Communicating basic personal information about their life and activities in speaking and writing
- Asking and responding to simple questions on topics related to everyday life in speaking and writing
- Identifying main ideas and a few support details in spoken or written text
Before applying, students should review the sample skills list above and take the Avant STAMP 4S, 3S, or WS Sample Test for their chosen language to confirm that they have the minimum language skills to earn at least one credit. At this time, the only available languages are the languages on the Avant testing website that offer a sample test.
We are actively looking at options to expand available languages. We plan to communicate again if/when we are able to make additional languages available to students.
However, unless that world language is offered in a student’s designated middle or high school, it is advised that students have sufficient skills to earn a minimum of two credits before taking the world language assessment due to Virginia Department of Education credit-related diploma requirements.
First priority in the selection of students will be given to students in upper grades needing world language credits to earn an Advanced Studies diploma, especially seniors. Should the total number of students exceed the maximum number of students who can be assessed, selection will then be based on the application's stamped date and time.
Application
The application will open on September 15, 2023, and the deadline is October 15, 2023.
Testing Accommodations
All students with disabilities and those identified as English learners are assessed with appropriate accommodations in accordance with state and federal guidelines.
The pursuit of credit-by-assessment by students with disabilities will be prescribed by the student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan.
Have Questions or Need Additional Information?
Betsy Campagna, Supervisor of World Languages
campagbg@pwcs.edu
703-791-8706