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Richardson ISD outlines LOTE credit pathways, credit‑by‑exam rules and Seal of Biliteracy at Parent University
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Summary
At a Richardson ISD Parent University session, district language leaders outlined three routes to satisfy the state's two‑credit world‑language requirement—online correspondence, credit by exam (CBE) and AP/advanced pathways—and explained how the Texas Seal of Biliteracy is earned, recorded and celebrated.
Rowena Ali Bujog, director of Languages Other Than English for Richardson ISD, and Jeremy Williamson, director of student advancement, told parents at Parent University that students have three main routes to earn the two required world language credits for Texas graduation: online correspondence, credit by exam (CBE) and advanced placement (AP).
Bujog said the district provides a checklist to help families choose the right path and urged parents to plan early so students can complete prerequisite sequences. "Credit by exam is a pathway that honors the language that your child or your children already bring with them," she said, adding that CBE assesses listening, speaking, reading and writing and can award up to "five full credits in a single day."
Why it matters: The choice of pathway affects course sequencing, GPA impact and future college credit. Bujog noted that CBE results are recorded as pass/fail and do not affect a student's GPA; district policy limits students to two attempts per subject in separate testing windows. Williamson advised families that AP world language exams can sometimes translate into college credit, but AP exams do not give high school credit in RISD.
How the pathways work
Online correspondence: Bujog named district‑accredited providers Texas Tech K12, Keystone and Mizu Academy and said families are responsible for enrollment and fees (approximately $200–$360 per semester). After completing an external course, families must submit transcripts to campus counselors so the credit can be posted. She recommended that student‑athletes verify courses are NCAA‑approved before enrolling.
Credit by exam (CBE): Bujog said CBE is designed for heritage or otherwise proficient speakers and is administered on campus during fall and spring testing windows. A passing CBE entry appears as a P on a student's Focus transcript; no numerical grade is posted and there is "0 impact on their GPA," she said. The district allows a maximum of two attempts per subject across separate testing windows and campuses schedule specific testing dates.
Advanced placement and college credit: RISD offers AP Spanish, AP French and AP Japanese. Williamson noted that AP exams are managed by College Board and urged parents to consult College Board's AP credit policy to learn how individual colleges accept scores and award credit. "Most AP subjects typically earn a student three college credits; with AP world languages your student can actually earn up to 12 college credits," Bujog said, noting that students typically need level‑3 coursework as prerequisites to enroll in AP.
Seal of Biliteracy: requirements and recognition
Bujog explained that the Texas Seal of Biliteracy (officially the "performance acknowledgment in biliteracy and bilingualism") requires two parts: English coursework and demonstrated proficiency in a world language. For English, students must complete English I–IV with an average of 80 or above. To demonstrate proficiency in another language they may (a) complete three or more years of the same language with an 80+ average, (b) score a 3 or higher on the AP exam, or (c) earn a level‑4 on a proficiency exam. The state now requires districts to place a stamp of the seal on diplomas; RISD will also present cords and certificates and hold a Seal celebration on April 18.
Practical next steps and resources
Staff directed parents to campus counselors as the primary contact for graduation planning and course verification, and said the district will email an FAQ and share the presentation slides after the session. Bujog also pointed to a sixth‑grade Spanish screener used to place heritage Spanish speakers into appropriate middle school classes so they can progress toward AP offerings. She shared a study‑abroad link (Universidad de Granada) as an informational resource and announced the Multilingual Excellence Expo on April 18 and world language immersion summer camps (Japanese June 1–4; Spanish beginning June 11).
"If you have questions you should speak with your campus counselor," Bujog said, adding that the district will collect chat questions and follow up by email. The session was recorded and will be available on the RISD Parent University site.
Ending
The presenters closed by encouraging early planning, consulting campus counselors, and using the shared checklists and resources. Maria Etheton, family engagement coordinator, said staff will compile unanswered questions into an FAQ and post the recording and slides to the Parent University video library.
