What is Perkins V? Perkins V (officially Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act) provides federal funding to states and local school districts to strengthen career and technical education (CTE). The legislation emphasizes raising both academic and technical outcomes for CTE students, improving alignment between secondary and postsecondary education, and increasing accountability. Through Perkins V, states and […]
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Across secondary and postsecondary education, world language programs are grappling with a familiar challenge: helping students understand what they can actually do with the language they are learning, and why it matters. Student feedback across a range of standardized assessments has surfaced recurring themes. Learners have signaled uncertainty about expectations, uneven confidence in their skills, […]
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When it comes to language proficiency, misconceptions are everywhere. From how proficiency is defined and developed to how it’s assessed, common myths can lead to inaccurate assumptions, flawed decisions, and missed opportunities. In a crowded landscape of tests, tools, and claims, not all approaches to measuring and understanding proficiency are created equal. Let’s separate myth […]
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Among many things that make AAPPL the Gold Standard for measuring performance toward proficiency is how it’s scored: student spoken and written submissions are evaluated by ACTFL-certified raters using rigorous protocols, so educators can trust the results and use them with confidence. Below, an AAPPL rater shares what it’s like to earn certification, stay calibrated, and score with a “what students can do” mindset. Read more: Are You Truly Assessing […]
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When it comes to measuring language proficiency, not all tests are created equally. Only ACTFL® assessments, delivered exclusively through Language Testing International® (LTI), produce ACTFL scores and certificates, credentials recognized globally by K-12 programs, universities, employers, and government agencies. Any ACTFL rating provided by a non-ACTFL assessment is not recognized by ACTFL. In other words, […]
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Superintendents and school leaders today are asked to do more than simply manage systems. They are expected to make students future-ready, align learning to real-world demands, and ensure every graduating student is prepared for what comes next. In this work of future-proofing education, where does language fit? In fact, language education is one of the […]
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By Gosia Jaros-White, MA and Michael Herrera, EdD Adult and continuing education has always been about opening doors, providing opportunities for individuals to re- or upskill, re-enter the workforce, or advance in their careers and gain valuable credentials in the process. Today, the need for high-impact credentialing is greater than ever. In a rapidly shifting […]
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In a world where nearly every industry operates across borders, culturally, linguistically, and economically, multilingualism has quickly become a necessity and a strategic advantage. Yet many post-secondary programs still treat language learning as peripheral or elective, or even worse, cut language programs altogether. That’s a missed opportunity, not only for students’ future careers, but for […]
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The Seal of Biliteracy is an important and meaningful recognition of learners’ achievements in language learning. It celebrates linguistic diversity, honors learners’ heritage languages, and promotes the value of multilingualism in our schools and communities. But to truly support learners’ futures in college, careers, and beyond, it’s essential to look further than the Seal itself […]
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At ACTFL® and Language Testing International® (LTI), we are committed to delivering the best possible assessment experiences for educators and learners. We always innovate, always listen, and always improve. As we kick off the new school year, here’s what’s new and updated with the ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL). AAPPL Test […]
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