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This informational update provides insight into the foreign language curriculum frameworks, standards, and resources in Arkansas public schools. It also highlights the relevance of foreign language instruction in developing college and career-ready students.
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An Informational Update on Foreign Language in Arkansas Public Schools Dr. Laura Bednar Arkansas Department of Education December 7, 2011
Arkansas Standards for Accreditation • Ark. Code Ann. 6-15-213 and 6-15-1214 • Grades K-4 9.03.2.3 Social Studies • Grades 5-8 9.03.3.4 Social Studies
Arkansas Standards for Accreditation • Grades 9 – 12 9.03.4.4 Foreign Languages 2 units of the same language • Smart Core – Foreign Language is not a Smart Core requirement
Background Information • The Lottery Scholarship utilizes the Smart Core as one option for eligibility; therefore, Foreign Language is not a requirement. • Prior to the Lottery, the Academic Challenge did require students have Foreign Language to qualify for the state scholarship.
Foreign Language Curriculum Frameworks • K-8 Foreign Language Experiences • K-8 Foreign Language Acquisition • Grades 9 – 12 High School Credit Courses Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Latin, Spanish (Additionally, ADE has approved a few Russian courses).
Information from CCSSO • http://www.actfl.org/i4a/pages/index.cfj?pageID=5304 • http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/curriculum/2011/11/effort_to_tie_foreign_language.html
Opportunities for ACTFL Companion Statement • Strong statement on the relevance of foreign language instruction to developing college and career ready students Foreign Language Standards Revision • Revision of Foreign Language standards to mirror structure and process of Common Core State Standards Instructional and Curricular Resources • Tools for foreign language teachers to understand how to support Common Core standards in their classrooms