An Informational Update on Foreign Language in

Arkansas Public Schools

Dr. Laura BednarArkansas 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 5-89.03.3.4 Social Studies

Arkansas Standards for Accreditation

Grades 9 – 129.03.4.4 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 CoursesChinese, French, German, Japanese, Latin,

Spanish(Additionally, ADE has approved a few Russian

courses).

http://www.actfl.org/i4a/pages/index.cfj?pageID=5304

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/curriculum/2011/11/effort_to_tie_foreign_language.html

Information from CCSSO

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