The end of February in Wildcat_Spanish always means one thing… TESTING TIME. It’s not that we WANT to test, we want to win some awards!! Microcredentialing, for me, has been a great way to increase student motivation to improve in class!
What is microcredentialing? Microcredentialing is the process of awarding certifications or qualifications that represent mastery of certain skills. These credentials can be used to build a professional portfolio.
What microcredentials are available? Depending on your state, you may have similar options to Illinois. In IL, we are able to offer the State Commendation toward Biliteracy at Intermediate Low level (4 on the STAMP), the Global Seal of Biliteracy (PLEASE check them out, it’s an amazing microcredential that costs you ZERO and can be given to current students, homeschoolers, teachers, college kids, ANYONE) at the Functional Fluency level (5 on the STAMP), the IL State Seal of Biliteracy at Intermediate High level (6 on the STAMP), and the Working Fluency award from Global Seal of Biliteracy at Advanced Low (7 on the STAMP).
What tests are available? The big three are AP, AAPPL, and STAMP. We have done AAPPL in the past, but have transitioned to STAMP and love it for the following reasons:
1) It is intuitive… the better/worse the student does, the prompts adjust to keep them comfortable plus 1.
2) Because it is intuitive, students are given less prompts. They do not have to answer speaking and writing prompts at 6 different levels, they get 3 prompts geared around their level and that gives them more stamina to work on the ones they receive!
3) The scoring seems very consistent and the scoring reports are so easy to access. In addition, the STAMP rubrics and also a “power ups” guide are available so that students can see how they can advance their performance toward proficiency.
Our Commendation toward Biliteracy kids get an award for making it across the Novice/Intermediate line! This is a big deal because it means they have the foundation they need to move into the middle intermediate territory!
Our Global Seal Functional Fluency kids have hit Intermediate Mid! The best part of being an Intermediate Mid is that YOU CAN KEEP LEARNING WITHOUT YOUR TEACHER! These kids may decide not to study Spanish in college, but if they use their language at work or abroad, they can keep developing skills to become fluent speakers! These are kids who will feel like they CAN-DO many things with their language.
Finally, our state seal earners have hit the Intermediate High level! They’re set to jump into 300 level classes and can use their language in so many different situations.
Letting them know where they are and where they can go makes the biggest difference in how many stay enrolled in upper level classes and how they feel about their own skills. If you have any questions about testing/microcredentialing, let me know!
Here’s a little video about our Dual Credit program (why we don’t do AP) if you are interested.
Muy buenas,
I have been using AAPPL for Commendation and Seal recognition at Columbia High School for about ten years. This year we recognized 14 Commendations and 17 Seals for Spanish and several Commendations and Seals for German in a graduation class of about 145! I have read your STAMP of Approval blog several times and it is really getting me to think about switching to STAMP. I just played around with the website and the test seems SO much more approachable. I am nervous about making such a big switch, but at the same time I have a nagging feeling that the STAMP would be a better fit for my students. I am not sure that I have a real question, but more I am wondering about the process…can I make the switch as soon as next year…but I have some IVH students who took AAPPL this March with I5 for Reading, Listening and Writing and they are working on preparing to retest their Speaking for their final exam in hopes to raise their Speaking from I4 to I5. I am wondering about doing AAPPL for retesting for that group and maybe transitioning over to STAMP for my current IIIH students who will be testing for the first time as IVH in Spring 2026. Do you have any suggestions for the switch over or any additional supports or resources to share or purchase?
Hi! The STAMP is so much more approachable because it is intuitive and there are only 3 writing and 3 speaking prompts!! AAPPL (since everyone does all prompts) can be purchased by skill but STAMP must be purchased but full test! Their speaking and writing prompts are determined by their skills in listening and reading!
I also find the scoring to be much more consistent with stamp!