Commercial Assessment

Acceptable assessments used to provide evidence of world language proficiency in any language must meet the American Council of the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) criteria of Intermediate High or equivalent.

When all four language skills/domains are used in a language and available via approved commercial assessment, all four skills must be assessed and the candidate must earn the equivalent of at least Intermediate High level of proficiency using the ACTFL proficiency guidelines.

In the case where all four skills are used and only the productive skills (speaking and writing) are available via approved commercial assessment, the two assessed productive skills can be used to qualify for the seal if the student earns the equivalent of at least Intermediate High level of proficiency using the ACTFL proficiency guidelines.

When proficiency must be determined for languages that use fewer than four language domains/skills, only the language domains/skills that are used with regard to that language will be assessed. The Seal is eligible to be awarded in these languages if the proficiency of Intermediate High has been achieved based on the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines for the language domains/skills tested. Some examples of these languages include American Sign Language, Sylheti, Anishinaabemowin, and Latin.

Foreign Transcripts and Other Formal Documentation

Students transferring from other countries may demonstrate proficiency by providing transcripts from a school in a foreign country showing at least one year of instruction in a language other than English in Grade 6 or beyond.

Alternative Method of Assessment

For languages without available assessments or in circumstances where test administration is cost prohibitive, students must still demonstrate Intermediate High proficiency in all skills that are applicable. The determination of applicable skills (Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing) must be clearly documented through the MDE approved Alternative Process for Assessment. Assessments should be aligned with the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines for Intermediate High or equivalent.

Student/Parents must receive approval in order to implement the Alternative Process for Assessment. The verification form must be completed and submitted to the MDE at MDE-EL@Michigan.gov at least one month before the date of the assessment. This form is used to identify the committee members and the materials that will be used. The student outcome section can be filled in after students have been assessed and is not necessary to complete that section upon requesting approval.

 In the case where the Alternative Process for Assessment is required, the committee must include a formally trained language speaker and writer of the language who has an understanding of and/or experience using the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines and/or Performance Descriptors for assessment purposes. In order to find a formally trained speaker/writer of the less commonly taught language it is recommended that the student/parent reach out to colleges and universities, tribal language departments, embassies or consulates, or professional language schools. In the event that a formally trained language speaker who is also familiar with the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines and/or Performance Descriptors is unable to be identified, an interpreter or translator may be used to assist the Committee in in completing the Alternative Process for Assessment and/or interpreting the language used on the assessment. The interpreter’s role is simply to interpret for the Committee, which must include at least one person that has experience using the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines and/or Performance Descriptors for assessment purposes. one person that has experience using the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines and/or Performance Descriptors for assessment purposes.