FLACS Exam Resources

Exam Administration Date: Monday, June 21, 2027

FLACS A start time – 9:15 AM (early start 8:15 AM)
FLACS B start time – 1:15 PM (early start 12:15 PM)

Countdown to FLACS 2027

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ACCESS SECURE FLACS EXAMS THROUGH THE NYSAWLA MEMBER PORTAL

Exams released on June 1st.
(Active membership required)

Checkpoint A & B Rubrics

No changes to our rubrics from June 2026 edition.

The New York State (NYS) framework identifies two categories of modern languages, based on the time it typically takes English speakers to develop proficiency.

Category 1 & 2 Languages: These include languages with Roman-based alphabets like Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Swahili.
Category 3 & 4 Languages: This group covers a diverse range, including American Sign Language (ASL), indigenous languages like Seneca and Tuscarora, character-based languages such as Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, as well as languages with non-Roman alphabets like Arabic, Greek, Hebrew, and Russian.

Want to dive deeper? Check out these documents: Category 1-2 and Category 3-4 to see how the NYS standards help students thrive in world language learning!

25-26 Rubrics are updated to reflect the NYSED OBEWL’s guidance on the Interpersonal Speaking point distribution as of the Summer of 2025.

Click on the buttons to the right to download a copy of our rubrics!

FLACS Exam Outline for Spoken Languages

Descriptions and point values effective Summer 2025

FLACS Checkpoint A

No changes from June 2026.

Part 1: Presentational and Interpersonal Speaking (40 points)

1 Presentational Task (10 points)
2 Interpersonal Tasks (15 points each, 30 points total)

Part 2: Interpretive Listening (20 points)

2A: 4 items – Passages in the Target Language, questions in English (8 points)
2B: 2 items – Passages in the Target Language, questions in the Target Language (4 points)
2C: 2 passages in the Target Language with 2 questions each, in English (8 points)

Part 3: Interpretive Reading (20 points)

3A: 6 items – Short readings/ads in the Target Language, multiple-choice questions in English (12 points)
3B: 4 items – Short readings/ads in the Target Language, multiple-choice questions in the Target Language (8 points)

Part 4: Presentational Writing (20 points)

4A: Writing Prompt Selection – One writing prompt (mandatory) with suggested details provided. (10 points)
4B: Visually Supported Selection – Choose ONE of two visually supported writing prompts with suggested details provided. (10 points)

FLACS Checkpoint B

No changes from June 2026.

Part 1: Presentational and Interpersonal Speaking (40 points)**

1 Presentational Task (10 points)
2 Interpersonal Tasks (15 points each, 30 points total)

Part 2: Interpretive Listening (20 points)

2A: 5 items – Passages in the Target Language, questions in English (10 points)
2B: 5 items – Passages in the Target Language, questions in the Target Language (10 points)

Part 3: Interpretive Reading (20 points)**

3A: 4 items – Short readings/ads in the Target Language, multiple-choice questions in the Target Language (8 points)
3B: 6 items – 2 Medium-length readings in the Target Language, 3 multiple-choice questions in the English per reading. (12 points)

Part 4: Presentational Writing (20 points)

4A: Read-to-Write – Students analyze two documents to develop a response on a given topic, with suggested details provided (10 points).
4B: Writing Prompt Selection – Students choose between two writing prompts, with suggested details provided (10 points).

FLACS Exam Outline for American Sign Language

Descriptions and point values effective Summer 2025

ASL – FLACS Checkpoint A

No changes from June 2026.

Part 1: Expressive Skills (Interpersonal and Presentational) (40 points)

1 Presentational Task (10 points)
2 Interpersonal Tasks (15 points each, 30 points total)

Part 2: Receptive Skills (Interpretive) (20 points)

2A: 4 passages in American Sign Language (ASL), with one written question each (8 points total)
2B: 6 passages in American Sign Language (ASL), with one signed question each (12 points total)

Part 3: Comprehension (Interpretive) (20 points)

10 Multiple-Choice Video Comprehension Questions focused on NYS themes and topics, incorporating elements of culture, history, and syntax/structure relevant to Checkpoint A.

Part 4: Expressive Skills (Presentational) (20 points)

Two See-to-Sign Items – Students use a combination of visual materials and a short video prompt to develop and record a signed response about a given topic. Suggested details are provided. (10 points each)

ASL – FLACS Checkpoint B

No changes from June 2026.

Part 1: Expressive Skills (Interpersonal and Presentational) (40 points)

1 Presentational Task (10 points)
2 Interpersonal Tasks (15 points each, 30 points total)

Part 2: Receptive Skills (Interpretive) (20 points)

2A: 4 passages in American Sign Language (ASL), with one written question each (8 points total)
2B: 6 passages in American Sign Language (ASL), with one signed question each (12 points total)

Part 3: Comprehension (Interpretive) (20 points)

10 Multiple-Choice Video Comprehension Questions focused on NYS themes and topics, incorporating elements of culture, history, and syntax/structure relevant to Checkpoint B.

Part 4: Expressive Skills (Presentational) (20 points)

Two See-to-Sign Items – Students use a combination of visual materials and a short video prompt to develop and record a signed response about a given topic. Suggested details are provided. (10 points each)

Important Documents

School Administrators Manual (SAM)

This document describes general information on FLACS exams and overall procedures and guidelines revised January 20, 2026.

2026 FLACS School Administrator’s Manual

MAKEUP EXAMS

FLACS exams, in their entirety, or select components of current or past exams, cannot be used as a makeup exam. Districts may decide on an alternative assessment as a makeup or students may continue on with their language studies next year and take the FLACS exam next June.

EXAM SCORING

NYSAWLA recognizes that districts may encounter unique instructional contexts and student populations when administering the FLACS Checkpoint A and Checkpoint B examinations. Districts are encouraged to conduct local item analyses during the scoring process and may determine whether to award credit for individual test items that present unforeseen issues for students within their district. When making such determinations, credit may be awarded only when 50% or more of students within the district respond incorrectly to a given item. Any scoring adjustments must be applied consistently to all students within the district and documented locally.
FLACS Speaking Adminstration Guide
The Speaking / Signing Administration Manual provides detailed guidance for administering the interpersonal and presentational components of the FLACS examination. The manual includes administration procedures, scoring protocols, proficiency expectations, and annotated scoring examples to support consistent and valid evaluation of student performance.

FLACS Speaking / Signing materials are released to participating NYSAWLA consortium districts through the secure member portal. Districts are responsible for selecting and administering secure assessment materials in accordance with consortium guidelines and local policies.

Secure Interpersonal and Presentational tasks are distributed exclusively through the NYSAWLA member portal.

2026 Speaking SAM ver 1.5

Interpersonal and Presentational Reporting Forms:
FLACS Presentational Writing/Signing Adminstration Guide

The Presentational Writing / Expressive Signing section assesses students’ ability to communicate in a structured and coherent manner. Spoken language students will complete two writing tasks, while ASL students will complete two See-to-Sign tasks. For FLACS A spoken languages, the Read-to-Write task has been replaced with the Visually Supported Writing task, while the FLACS B examination remains unchanged from 2024. The guidelines booklet includes task descriptions, scoring criteria, and rubrics for evaluation. The new rubrics do not require a conversion.

2026 Presentational Writing / Signing SAM ver 1.5
ASL Google Form Instructions
NYSAWLA provides a standardized Google Form template for administration of the ASL FLACS Checkpoint A and B examinations.

The guide below outlines required configuration and verification procedures for districts utilizing the Google Form version of the exam. Districts are encouraged to review this document in advance to ensure smooth implementation.

Official Google Form template links for the 2026 administration will be released on June 1, 2026 through the NYSAWLA secure member site.

2026 ASL Google Form Guide
Answer Documents
Revised 2/2/2026: Both Word and PDF versions of the student answer booklet are available. The Word format allows districts to customize and merge student information for preprinted forms, while the PDF ensures accurate and consistent printing.

FLACS Checkpoint A Examination Student Booklets:

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FLACS Checkpoint B Examination Student Booklet:

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Sample Proctor Instructions
General Examination Proctor Sample Instructions for Spoken Languages

General Examination Proctor Sample Instructions for ASL Exams

FLACS Exam Resources

Countdown to FLACS 2027

Checkpoint A & B Rubrics

No changes to our rubrics from June 2026 edition.

FLACS Exam Outline for Spoken Languages

FLACS Checkpoint A

Part 1: Presentational and Interpersonal Speaking (40 points)

Part 2: Interpretive Listening (20 points)

Part 3: Interpretive Reading (20 points)

Part 4: Presentational Writing (20 points)

FLACS Checkpoint B

Part 1: Presentational and Interpersonal Speaking (40 points)**

Part 2: Interpretive Listening (20 points)

Part 3: Interpretive Reading (20 points)**

Part 4: Presentational Writing (20 points)

FLACS Exam Outline for American Sign Language

ASL – FLACS Checkpoint A

Part 1: Expressive Skills (Interpersonal and Presentational) (40 points)

Part 2: Receptive Skills (Interpretive) (20 points)

Part 3: Comprehension (Interpretive) (20 points)

Part 4: Expressive Skills (Presentational) (20 points)

ASL – FLACS Checkpoint B

Part 1: Expressive Skills (Interpersonal and Presentational) (40 points)

Part 2: Receptive Skills (Interpretive) (20 points)

Part 3: Comprehension (Interpretive) (20 points)

Part 4: Expressive Skills (Presentational) (20 points)

Important Documents

This document describes general information on FLACS exams and overall procedures and guidelines revised January 20, 2026.

2026 FLACS School Administrator’s Manual

2026 Speaking SAM ver 1.5

Interpersonal and Presentational Reporting Forms:

2026 Presentational Writing / Signing SAM ver 1.5

2026 ASL Google Form Guide

FLACS Checkpoint A Examination Student Booklets:

FLACS Checkpoint B Examination Student Booklet:

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