Students at Whitewater High have made history by becoming the first at the school, and in Fayette County, to pass the DSD (Deutsches Sprachdiplom) German exam, allowing them to begin entry into the German university system.
The test is composed of four parts, reading, listening, writing, and oral, and three levels: A2, B1, and B2/C1. Students at Whitewater passed the A2 and B1 levels of the exam. German education officials consider passage of B1 proof that the student has reached a level of ability in German that is required for entrance to a preparatory program at a German university. Passage of A2 indicates that the student has basic use of the German language, and offers advantages for applications with German companies.
Students who passed the DSD (B1 level) exam are Alison Rudzinski, Caleb Enterkin, and Elizabeth Kimbell. Students who passed the DSD (A2 level) exam are Caprice Carrington, William Harp, James Neuner, and John Isbell.
Access to the DSD exam was offered for the first time this year to German programs throughout Georgia. Previously, the exam was only offered through approved German programs in the state. The new accessibility enables German high school programs, which typically have only one teacher, to offer the test to their students.
The DSD (B1 level) test is similar to an Advanced Placement (AP) examination; however, the AP German exam is not recognized by the university system in Germany.
