8th Grade STAMP/ALTA Language Testing
If you are a student in the 8th grade in the Beaverton School District and know a language other than English, we can test your skills in that language and you could earn high school World Language credits and meet one of the requirements to earn the Oregon State Seal of Biliteracy/Multiliteracy. Please read the information below if you are interested and if you would like to register.
Who can take the test?
The test is available to students in the 8th grade in the Beaverton School District that know a language other than English. This opportunity is for students who regularly use the non-English language at home and/or who have participated in a Dual Language program. It is not for students that have taken a few language classes or who have spent a short amount of time abroad: these students will not know the language well enough to benefit from the test.
Why should students take the test?
Students can earn up to four high school World Language credits and meet the requirement for the non-English part of the Oregon State Seal of Biliteracy/Multiliteracy, depending on their test scores. Students that earn the Oregon State Seal of Biliteracy/Multiliteracy get that achievement indicated on their high school transcript when they graduate so that employers and colleges can see this special award. Students also get to wear a special cord at their high school graduation ceremony!
Is there a cost to take the test?
The school district will pay for the test.
When and where will the test be given?
The test will be given on Monday, April 7, 2025, which is a day when students do not attend school. The test will be given at a few middle schools that will be chosen after the registration period is completed. If students need transportation, the school district will provide school bus transportation to the school and back home. It is required to register a student to take the test.
Which test is used?
Students will take one of three possible tests, depending on which language they know: the STAMP 4S, the STAMP WS, or the ALTA.
What languages can be tested?
The STAMP 4S tests these languages, the STAMP WS tests these languages, and the ALTA tests these languages. Open those web links to see if your language can be tested. At this time, these are the only languages that can be tested.
What will the test be like?
The test evaluates a student’s listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in the language other than English that they know. The student will take the test online using their Chromebook and headphones. The test can take from two to four hours, depending on how quickly the student progresses through the test. More STAMP information and sample tests can be found here. ALTA information and sample tests can be found here.
How is it decided how many high school World Language credits a student will earn?
The STAMP and ALTA tests are aligned to educational standards used in Beaverton’s high school World Language courses. Students will get a score for each of the language domains that are tested (listening, speaking, reading, writing). The lowest domain score that the student achieves will be the score used to determine the number of credits earned. For example: A student takes the STAMP 4S test and achieves these domain scores: Listening 4, Speaking 5, Reading 4, Writing 3. The lowest score of 3 would be used, which is equivalent to two years of high school World Language skills. In this example, the student would earn two high school World Language credits.
How do students register to take the test?
Students must get registered to take the test. The parent/guardian can register the student or the student can register themself. Registration begins Wednesday, January 22 and ends Sunday, February 23. To register, complete any one of the registration forms that are linked below no later than Sunday, February 23. After February 23, parents/guardians will be notified, given more test information, and asked to confirm that they would like their student to take the test.
Please complete any one of the registration forms below. Note that students can be tested in many other languages than the ones listed here.
Registration Form - Dari/Farsi
Registration Form - Vietnamese
Who can I contact if I have questions?
Students, parents and guardians can contact their middle school or can call the Beaverton School District Multilingual Department: 503-356-3755.