According to the legislation as passed and funding provided by the Legislature, OSPI expects to convene a group of stakeholders and experts in 2014 to recommend the criteria for awarding the Seal. Since spring 2012, a number of language leaders in Washington State from the universities and non-profit sector, including the Washington Association for Language Teaching (WAFLT) and Washington Association for Bilingual Education (WABE), have been researching the progress of the Seal in California and New York. After reviewing the criteria identified in the California Seal of Biliteracy and the work in other states, they have suggested the following criteria to consider for demonstrating proficiency in a world language in our state: passing a foreign language Advanced Placement (AP) examination with a score of 3 or higher or an International Baccalaureate (IB) examination with a score of 4 or higher; passing the SAT II foreign language examination with a score of 600 or higher; successfully completing an international exam, such as the DELE (for Spanish), DELF (for French), and HSK (for Mandarin) at the level of A2 or higher based on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR); receiving a rating of Intermediate Mid or higher on a nationally available test of proficiency across language skills based on the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines (e.g., STAMP 4S or ACTFL OPI and WPT); or earning 4 Competency-Based Credits by demonstrating proficiency at Intermediate Mid level or higher according to the model state policy and procedure for Competency-Based Credits for World Languages.*

*Of 1600 WA students who earned Competency-Based Credits in World Languages in 2013, 40% earned 4 credits – enough to qualify them for the Seal of Biliteracy (according to suggested criteria).