During the 2004–05, 2005–06, and 2006–07 school years, for purposes of hiring a certificated individual to instruct deaf pupils, preference shall first be given to a candidate who achieves a minimum score of 4 on the American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) or an equivalent score on an alternate test selected by the American Sign Language Competency Evaluation Committee of the California School for the Deaf that assesses American Sign Language linguistic competency.