Alpine School District, Utah’s largest with over 85,000 students, faced a significant challenge in its Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program: the lack of a reliable assessment to gauge student language proficiency. Teachers relied on informal observations, leading to inconsistent evaluations and difficulty in addressing individual learning needs. Additionally, the district required a solution that was both affordable and scalable to accommodate its growing DLI program in four languages: Chinese, French, Portuguese, and Spanish.
The solution came in the form of the ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL). Adopted district-wide in 2012 and later implemented across Utah through a state mandate, the AAPPL became a cornerstone of Alpine’s language assessment strategy. Its comprehensive approach, which evaluates speaking, listening, reading, and writing, provided Alpine with actionable data to inform teaching, track student growth, and validate program effectiveness.
Since adopting the AAPPL, Alpine has seen remarkable results. Teachers now use data to identify learning gaps and tailor instruction, leading to measurable improvements in student outcomes. For instance, 80–90% of elementary students meet proficiency benchmarks, and the program’s credibility has increased within the community, fueling higher enrollment. Even after the pandemic disrupted learning, AAPPL results have shown steady recovery, underscoring its value as a reliable assessment tool.
Dr. Allen Smithee, DLI Specialist, emphasizes the transformative impact: “The AAPPL allows us to see incremental growth, even within the same proficiency band, helping us better meet student needs.”
Discover how Alpine District used the AAPPL to enhance its DLI program and build a foundation for long-term success. Read the full case study here.
Ready to bring the AAPPL to your DLI program? Contact us today to get started.
