World Language Competency & Seal of Biliteracy

Tahoma School District is committed to ensuring students who speak, write, read, and comprehend one or more world languages, earn the credit and recognition they deserve for their language proficiency.



The World Language Competency-Based Assessment allows students to demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, listening and speaking in any language and earn transcript credits, even if that language is not offered at our schools.

Test Eligibility - If you can answer "yes" to all of the "I can" statements below in a language other than English, please complete the registration form for your appropriate grade level.
  • I can understand ideas on familiar topics expresses through phrases, short sentences, and frequently used expressions. [Listening]
  • I can understand the main idea and some details in simple texts that contain familiar vocabulary. [Reading]
  • I can exchange information with another person about familiar tasks, topics and activities. [Person-to-Person Communication]
  • I can use a series of phrases and sentences to provide basic information about familiar topics. [Spoken Production]
  • I can write simple descriptions and short messages and request or provide information on familiar topics. [Writing]
*Note:  If you have taken 2 or more years of an AP World Language course, you should take the AP exam in the language to demonstrate your proficiency.



The Washington State Seal of Biliteracy recognizes public high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading and writing in one or more languages in addition to English.

Students qualify for the Seal of Biliteracy by:
  • Earning 4 credits in ELA coursework
  • Meeting all graduation requirements, including proficiency in approved ELA State Assessments
  • Demonstrating proficiency in another language by earning 4 credits on an approved language competency test
Students who have earned the Seal of Biliteracy receive a gold seal placed on their diploma.

Please note: Students cannot "double dip" with seat time and competency-based credits. For example, if an 8th grader earns 3 competency-based credits, but in 10th grade the student decides to register for Spanish 3 anyway, the competency-based credit for Spanish 3 would be zeroed out and the graded seat time credit would be added.

For more information on high school testing and the Seal of Biliteracy, contact Kathryn Strojan, THS Future Ready Specialist. For middle school testing information, contact Jennifer Otte at Summit Trail or Heidi Chamberlain at Maple View.

2023-2024 Testing Information:

Tahoma High school test dates: 
Fall 2023: October 26 and 27 
Spring 2024: February 27 and 28

8th grade test dates:
Maple View Middle School:  
Fall 2023: October 24   
Spring 2024: February 28

Summit Trail Middle School:
Fall 2023: October 23 
Spring 2024: February 29

*Registration is now open for the 23/24 school year.

Fall Registration Deadline is 9/29/23.

Spring Registration Deadline is 1/26/24.

AVANT/STAMP ($25) is a computer based test. Students must be able to read, type and speak in the tested language and understand instructions in English. Native speakers and students with documented financial need may request their first test attempt at no charge. If you do not see your language listed below, you will be assigned an ALTA test ($136).

Avant’s proficiency assessments measure real-world communication skills in 45+ languages.  Please check here for the most up to date languages offered by Avant if you do not see the language you wish to test in listed below: Amharic, Armenian, Arabic, Chuukese, Cabo Verdean, Cantonese, Chin (Hakha), Czech, English, Filipino (Tagalog), French, German, Haitian-Creole, Hawiian (‘Ōlelo Hawai’i), Hebrew, Hindi, Hmong, Ilocano, Italian, Japanese, Kannada, Korean, Latin, Mandarin (Simplified), Mandarin (Traditional), Marathi, Marshallese, Polish, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian, Samoan, Somali Maay Maay, Somali Maxaa, Spanish, Spanish Medical, Spanish Monolingual, Swahili, Tamil, Telugu, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, Vietnamese, Yoruba, Yup’ik, Zomi. 



Family Resources:

Competency Credit for Students (OSPI)
World Languages (OSPI)
Competency Testing (OSPI)
WA State Seal of Biliteracy (OSPI)

Tests:

STAMP - Avant
ALTA - ALTA Language Services

Website by SchoolMessenger Presence. © 2024 SchoolMessenger Corporation. All rights reserved.