Assessing Languages Other Than English with ACTFL Tests in Texas

Whether in a traditional Languages Other Than English (LOTE) classroom or a Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program, assessments are critical tools for tracking learners’ proficiency growth, evaluating program effectiveness, and qualifying learners for the Seal of Biliteracy.

Therefore, it's essential to choose assessments that are reliable, externally validated, and aligned with standards to ensure accurate results. That's why the ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL) stands out as the obvious choice. It has been approved by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for measuring language learners’ performance toward proficiency for a variety of contexts, such as the attainment of the Seal of Biliteracy (referred to as Performance Acknowledgment in Bilingualism and Biliteracy in Texas), Teacher Incentive Allotment, Credit-by-Exam, and many other.

Why AAPPL in Texas?

• Aligns with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and ACTFL proficiency levels, ensuring it measures the desired outcomes in language instruction in Texas.
• Developed by ACTFL with world language experts.
• Provides AAPPL scores that align to ACTFL Proficiency levels.
• The only test that assesses Interpersonal Listening and Speaking through its innovative video chat partner activity.
• The only assessment for Grades 3-12 that issue ACTFL ratings.
• Designed to elicit and assess language consistent with the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines.
• The only test that is COPPA-certified to ensure children's privacy online.

The AAPPL is available in the following languages: Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Unilingual AAPPL-Spanish.

Texas also recognizes the ALIRA, which is the ACTFL Latin Interpretive Reading Assessment, and the ACTFL OPI & WPT for the Seal of Biliteracy (often referred to as the SOBL bundle) which is available in these additional 24 languages: Albanian, Amharic, Bangla, Bosnian, Bulgarian, Cantonese, Croatian, Dari, Gujarati, Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Hindi, Malayalam, Pashto, Polish, Swahili, Tagalog, Tamil, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, Vietnamese, and Yoruba.

AAPPL for Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA)

As the only official ACTFL assessment for learners in grades 3-12, the AAPPL perfectly aligns with the rigorous evidence requirements of TIA, ensuring accurate assessment of learner growth and performance. Learn more here.

Several school districts in Texas trust the AAPPL for TIA. Read this case study.

AAPPL and Credit-by-Exam (CBE)

The AAPPL aligns seamlessly with TEKS and ACTFL proficiency levels, meeting the stringent criteria for CBE in LOTE courses. Learn more here.

Start Testing with ACTFL Assessments

To get started ordering tests, simply set up an account (if you don’t already have one). Account activation typically takes 2-4 business days.

If you have questions or would like to discuss your testing options further, please use this link. Our Texas account executive, Whitney Krahn, will respond promptly to discuss your assessment needs.