Best language test for Seal of Biliteracy and college apps?

[Anonymous]

My DC did an immersion program in K-5, but switched languages in MS after leaving to attend a magnet. But we kept up with the immersion language by working with a tutor and want to get the Seal of Biliteracy for both the immersion language and the second foreign language. The second one will be done through an AP exam, but for the immersion language we're trying to decide on the best option. DC could self-study for the AP test and just take that next year, though will have multiple other AP tests to deal with at the same time. We know there are other tests offered, but are not sure how those work (are they proctored by the HS and we have to take whichever one they choose?) and also wondering if the AP exam would be viewed more positively by colleges than the other exams. Unfortunately many of the relevant links on this MCPS page are broken. https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/office/seal-of-biliteracy/

Any thoughts/experiences to share? TIA

[Anonymous]

AP language (taking the test) will get you the seal of bilitracy...but MCPS schools are horrendous about applying for it or being informed about it.

So, in the case of my DC, we basically, raised this question to the counselor, language teacher and the Assitant Principal in an email. What do we have to do for kid to get the seal? What grades in class and on the AP exam? What other criteria? When will the seal will be issued? When can we add this information to the college applications?

And then we also posted on our PTA FB page and group chat. We were allowed to put that info when my kid was applying, and the certificate (or medal?) was handed out with a bunch of other such certs during graduation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:AP language (taking the test) will get you the seal of bilitracy...but MCPS schools are horrendous about applying for it or being informed about it.

So, in the case of my DC, we basically, raised this question to the counselor, language teacher and the Assistant Principal in an email. What do we have to do for kid to get the seal? What grades in class and on the AP exam? What other criteria? When will the seal will be issued? When can we add this information to the college applications?

And then we also posted on our PTA FB page and group chat. We were allowed to put that info when my kid was applying, and the certificate (or medal?) was handed out with a bunch of other such certs during graduation.

...Also, start sending these emails, around a year before your kid takes the AP exam. Other kids may also benefit by you being proactive.

[Anonymous]

I teach language in college. We use AP scores or earned college or DE credit for placement, not the seal of biliteracy, regents' exams, etc.

[Anonymous]

• Pass the Maryland High School Assessment in English 10; AND

• Demonstrate Intermediate High proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in a language other than English, as measured by assessments that are aligned to ACTFL (The AmericanCouncil on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) proficiency guidelines.

From -- https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/languages/

This is a state thing, though, and that language is taken from the MSDE site/COMAR. Though that site refers one back to MCPS ("local World Languages office") for more info, I would contact the curricular specialist listed on the state page

https://marylandpublicschools.org/about/Pages/DCAA/World-Languages/index.aspx

to confirm the currency of the list of MSDE-approved assessments, which appears to be at:

https://marylandpublicschools.org/about/Documents/DCAA/World-Languages/Biliteracy/MSDE-Approved-World-Language-Assessments-for-Maryland-Seal-of-Biliteracy-A.pdf

After that, getting more detail about the qualifying exams, timing, how to set them up, etc., might best be had via an email to the MCPS World Languages office. Staff Directory:
https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/directory/directory_Boxoffice.aspx?processlevel=s0100

Then circle back with your DC's WL dept & counseling office. Don't forget to come back here to post findings!

[Anonymous]

In our HS, the chair of the world languages department promotes the Seal exams in late November for a test that is offered in December and February. (I think December may only be for Seniors?)

Anyway, not until at least preservice week, but ditto pp who said check with the chair of World Languages in your HS and ask about the plan and which test in you child's language of choice.

If you're not taking an AP or IB test, you probably will have to take the college's language placement exam to skip upward or test out of language for college, if desired.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In our HS, the chair of the world languages department promotes the Seal exams in late November for a test that is offered in December and February. (I think December may only be for Seniors?)

Anyway, not until at least preservice week, but ditto pp who said check with the chair of World Languages in your HS and ask about the plan and which test in you child's language of choice.

If you're not taking an AP or IB test, you probably will have to take the college's language placement exam to skip upward or test out of language for college, if desired.

My DD went to register for her college language placement exam, and realized it would be the same standardized exam as the one they took for seal of biliteracy (can’t remember what it’s called, but it’s a widely-used exam).

She emailed the department and they let her use her existing scores for placement. Just told her to have the HS language coordinator send them over.

[Anonymous]

No college cares about the seal of biliteracy, OP, but they do look for languages taken to AP level. So take the AP exams. If it comes with a seal, great, but no one's looking at the seal.