Overview
If a student is a native speaker of a language other than English and can demonstrate proficiency, a student may substitute up to two academic credits for the two required credits in the same foreign language. The transcripts of students who demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English should indicate a World Language Waiver. This will meet the foreign language requirement for Talented 20 and the Biliteracy Seal.
Students must confirm that the World Language Waiver will be recognized by the college or university to which they are applying. If it is determined that a World Language Waiver is appropriate, the counselor will add the World Language waiver to the student’s academic history. Documentation indicating how the proficiency was met must be kept in the student’s cumulative folder. The World Language Waiver options do not award students high school credit.
Districts may document proficiency through a variety of methods, including:
- Exit tests or assessments used in IB, AP, or AICE programs
- Language placement tests used by the modern languages department at the local college or state university
- Use of a commercially-developed language proficiency test, such as the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), in languages other than English, the Oral Proficiency Interview designed by the American Council on Education, or the SAT II (formerly Achievement Test) designed by the College Board.
The purpose of this article is to outline how to enter the waiver on the Course History screen in Focus.
Course History Entry
The following fields need to be entered into the Course History line:
- Marking Period = Full Year
- Course = World Lang Waiver
- Course Number = 0791920
- Grade = SB (this stands for Seal of Biliteracy)
- Affects GPA = Unchecked
- Grad Subject = Foreign Language