In the case of the rating for foreign language, the assumption is that the student has completed a minimum of 2 years in a high school foreign language program. This rating is used to describe a student who performs the competency-related tasks with outstanding quality, initiative and adaptability and who can lead others. There may be evidence of insight, originality, or other attributes that characterize deep understanding of the concept or process. The few students who achieve this level of performance may well be capable of going into advanced course work upon entering the university. The student who receives this rating performs the competency-related tasks with more than acceptable quality and can apply past knowledge in solving new problem situations.
Work tends to show evidence of originality, rather than simple rote execution.
The student who receives this rating performs the competency-related tasks satisfactorily without additional supervision or assistance from the teacher. When encountering a new concept, he or she builds on previous knowledge but may have some difficulty using new concepts to solve a related problem. Work tends to be relatively free from errors and on time but not necessarily original or imaginative in its scope. This student may work very hard, but lacks the understanding to carry out the competency-related tasks independently and with originality. Work may be on time but probably has errors.