The suggested world language placement for rising 9th grade students who studied a world language in middle school and/or are native/heritage speakers of Chinese (all dialects) Spanish, and Japanese is available on Illuminate (World Language HS Placement 2020-21). 

For several years, the Multilingual Pathways Department has administered an assessment to 8th graders enrolled in world language and immersion classes and, additionally, to students who have language background of Chinese or Spanish, but who are not studying Chinese or Spanish in SFUSD. Previously, this assessment has measured students' language competencies and placed them in the appropriate World Language courses in high school.  This process has allowed linguistically-proficient students to start in world language classes that match their proficiency level, rather than level 1 in 9th grade. 

Due to the limitations of virtual instruction, this year we made recommendations for 9th grade world language placement based on the following data:

• For students currently enrolled in an 8th grade world language or immersion course, we used a combination of the following:
  • 1st semester 2020 world language/immersion course grades
  • Primary home language identified in Synergy
• For students with a home language of Chinese (all dialects) or Spanish who are not in a world language or immersion course, we administered a student survey to collect data that will determine appropriate placement.

Students have received this placement recommendation via letter posted in StudentVue. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.