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Standards and Instruction

General Education and Diploma Requirements

Additional Resources

World Languages Approved Assessments

Department-Approved Pathway Assessments in World Languages

(Updated May 26, 2022)

Students who are otherwise eligible to receive a high school diploma in June 2015 and thereafter must take and pass four required Regents Exams or Department-approved alternative assessments (one in each of the following subjects: English, math, science, and social studies) and either pass a comparably rigorous assessment for a fifth required exam, or in lieu of a fifth exam, complete the requirements to earn the CDOS Commencement Credential.  Students may meet the fifth assessment required for graduation by passing a Department-Approved Pathway Assessment in World Languages. At their July 2021 meeting, the NYS Board of Regents voted to change the name of "Languages Other than English" learning standards and related items to “World Languages”.

The following assessments and cut score requirements have been approved for use as Department-Approved Pathway Assessments in World Languages. If you notice that any assessment cut scores or versions have been updated since the posting of this document, please email emscgradreq@nysed.gov.

American Sign Language (ASL)

American Sign Language (ASL) Checkpoint B Examination (Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES)

The American Sign Language (ASL) Checkpoint B Examination was developed by Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES and includes 4 sections worth 100 credits: Conversation/Roleplay (Part 1) consists of two role plays worth 24 credits, Expressive Tasks (Part 2) consists of 2 signed stories based upon a picture worth 20 points, and Receptive Tasks (Part 3) consists of 15 questions in response to signed passages, pictures, or advertisements worth 30 credits.  Receptive and Expressive Tasks (Part 4), worth 26 credits, consists of 2 parts:  the first requires the student to summarize an extended length passage and the second to create and sign the middle and ending to an open-ended story.

Cut Score Required:  65

For more information, contact Greg Smith: GSmith@oneida-boces.org.

Arabic

American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL) ~ Arabic

Language Testing International (LTI) is the exclusive licensee of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language’s (ACTFL) assessments. The ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages is an accurate standards-based assessment of students’ ability to communicate in a language. According to the NY State Learning Standards for Languages Other Than English, communication is the over-arching goal of instruction.

ACTFL defines communication in terms of three modes: Interpersonal, Interpretive, and Presentational. The AAPPL is an ACTFL-developed assessment based on the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines and designed precisely to test the three ACTFL communication modes across four domains: Interpersonal Speaking and Listening, Interpretive Reading, Interpretive Listening, and Presentational Writing.

It assesses tasks across the three modes of communication as defined by the World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages, which are cited by NYSED on its standards and guidelines page, stating that “the World-Readiness Standards   for Learning Languages create a roadmap to guide learners to develop competence to communicate effectively and interact with cultural competence to participate in multilingual communities at home and around the world.” AAPPL results are reported according to ACTFL performance descriptors for each mode, making the alignment of the AAPPL with communication as the over-arching goal of instruction clear.

Cut Score Required: Novice High (N-4)

For more information, contact Jennifer Quinlan, jquinlan@languagetesting.com. 

Avant Assessment STAMP 4S ~ Arabic

The Avant STAMP™ (STAndards-based Measurement of Proficiency) language test was created at the University of Oregon to improve language-learning outcomes and support excellence in language programs. 

Cut Score Required:  STAMP level 3 (Novice High)

For more information, contact Victor D.O. Santos, PhD: victor.santos@avantassessment.com.

Chinese

Chinese Checkpoint B Examination (Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES)

The Chinese Checkpoint B Examination was developed by Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES and includes 4 sections worth 100 credits: Speaking (Part 1) consists of two role play conversations worth 24 credits, Listening (Part 2) consists of 15 questions in both English and Chinese worth 30 credits, Reading (Part 3) consists of 15 questions worth 30 credits using both long and short Reading passages, and Writing (Part 4) consists of 2 questions worth 16 credits.

Cut Score Required: 65

For more information, contact Greg Smith: GSmith@oneida-boces.org.

Chinese Comprehensive Exam (New York City Department of Education)

The Chinese Comprehensive Exam for LOTE was developed by the New York City Department of Education and includes four parts worth 100 points: Speaking (Part 1), Listening (Part 2), Reading (Part 3), and Writing (Part 4). The Speaking section consists of a test administrator-student conversation that makes up 24 points, the Listening section consists of 13 multiple choice questions that makes up 26 points, the Reading section consists of 15 multiple choice questions that makes up 30 points, and the Writing section consists of 2 written response questions that makes up 20 points.

Cut Score Required: 65

For more information, contact Lucia Figueras: LOTE@schools.nyc.gov.

French

French Checkpoint B Examination (Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES)

The French Checkpoint B Examination was developed by Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES and includes 4 sections worth 100 credits: Speaking (Part 1) consists of two role play conversations worth 24 credits, Listening (Part 2) consists of 15 questions in both English and French worth 30 credits, Reading (Part 3) consists of 15 questions worth 30 credits using both long and short Reading passages, and Writing (Part 4) consists of 2 questions worth 16 credits.

Cut Score Required: 65

For more information, contact Greg Smith: GSmith@oneida-boces.org.

French Comprehensive Exam (New York City Department of Education)

The French Comprehensive Exam for LOTE was developed by the New York City Department of Education and includes four parts worth 100 points: Speaking (Part 1), Listening (Part 2), Reading (Part 3), and Writing (Part 4). The Speaking section consists of a test administrator-student conversation that makes up 24 points, the Listening section consists of 13 multiple choice questions that makes up 26 points, the Reading section consists of 15 multiple choice questions that makes up 30 points, and the Writing section consists of 2 written response questions that makes up 20 points.

Cut Score Required: 65

For more information, contact Lucia Figueras: LOTE@schools.nyc.gov.

Italian

Italian Checkpoint B Examination (Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES)

The Italian Checkpoint B Examination was developed by Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES and includes 4 sections worth 100 credits: Speaking (Part 1) consists of two role play conversations worth 24 credits, Listening (Part 2) consists of 15 questions in both English and Italian worth 30 credits, Reading (Part 3) consists of 15 questions worth 30 credits using both long and short Reading passages, and Writing (Part 4) consists of 2 questions worth 16 credits.

Cut Score Required: 65

For more information, contact Greg Smith: GSmith@oneida-boces.org.

Italian Comprehensive Exam (New York City Department of Education)

The Italian Comprehensive Exam for LOTE was developed by the New York City Department of Education and includes four parts worth 100 points: Speaking (Part 1), Listening (Part 2), Reading (Part 3), and Writing (Part 4). The Speaking section consists of a test administrator-student conversation that makes up 24 points, the Listening section consists of 13 multiple choice questions that makes up 26 points, the Reading section consists of 15 multiple choice questions that makes up 30 points, and the Writing section consists of 2 written response questions that makes up 20 points.

Cut Score Required: 65

For more information, contact Lucia Figueras: LOTE@schools.nyc.gov.

Korean

Korean Comprehensive Exam (New York City Department of Education)

The Korean Comprehensive Exam for LOTE was developed by the New York City Department of Education and includes four parts worth 100 points: Speaking (Part 1), Listening (Part 2), Reading (Part 3), and Writing (Part 4). The Speaking section consists of a test administrator-student conversation that makes up 24 points, the Listening section consists of 13 multiple choice questions that makes up 26 points, the Reading section consists of 15 multiple choice questions that makes up 30 points, and the Writing section consists of 2 written response questions that makes up 20 points.

Cut Score Required: 65

For more information, contact Lucia Figueras: LOTE@schools.nyc.gov.

Spanish

Avant Assessment STAMP 4S ~ Spanish

The Avant STAMP™ (STAndards-based Measurement of Proficiency) language test was created at the University of Oregon to improve language-learning outcomes and support excellence in language programs. 

Cut Score Required:  STAMP level 4 (Intermediate Low)

For more information, contact Victor D.O. Santos, PhD: victor.santos@avantassessment.com.

Spanish Checkpoint B Examination (Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES)

The Spanish Checkpoint B Examination was developed by Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES and includes 4 sections worth 100 credits: Speaking (Part 1) consists of two role play conversations worth 24 credits, Listening (Part 2) consists of 15 questions in both English and Spanish worth 30 credits, Reading (Part 3) consists of 15 questions worth 30 credits using both long and short Reading passages, and Writing (Part 4) consists of 2 questions worth 16 credits.

Cut Score Required: 65

For more information, contact Greg Smith: GSmith@oneida-boces.org.

Spanish Comprehensive Exam (New York City Department of Education)

The Spanish Comprehensive Exam for LOTE was developed by the New York City Department of Education and includes four parts worth 100 points: Speaking (Part 1), Listening (Part 2), Reading (Part 3), and Writing (Part 4). The Speaking section consists of a test administrator-student conversation that makes up 24 points, the Listening section consists of 13 multiple choice questions that makes up 26 points, the Reading section consists of 15 multiple choice questions that makes up 30 points, and the Writing section consists of 2 written response questions that makes up 20 points.

Cut Score Required: 65

For more information, contact Lucia Figueras: LOTE@schools.nyc.gov.

PDF version of Department-Approved Pathway Assessments in World Languages

Update log:

  • 05/26/2022 - LTI contact updated
  • 08/17/2021 - Language updated to reflect Board of Regents approval of transition from "LOTE" to "World Languages"
  • 02/10/2021 - Assessments updated to include Avant Assessments STAMPS 4S (Arabic and Spanish) 
  • 08/24/2020 - Assessments updated to include Arabic (ACTFL) 
  • 03/21/2019 - Assessments updated to include ASL (OHM BOCES), Chinese, French, Italian, and Korean (NYC DOE)
  • 01/22/2019 - OHM BOCES contact updated
  • 10/31/2018 - OHM BOCES contact updated
  • 03/29/2018 – NYC DOE contact person updated
  • 03/12/2018 – LOTE assessment list created