Meeting the Mark: AAPPL as a Pathway to Credit-by-Examination in Texas LOTE Courses
The Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for Languages Other Than English (LOTE) regulations, outlined in Chapter 114 of the Texas Administrative Code, set the standards for language instruction in Texas. These regulations mandate that all districts offering LOTE courses adhere to specified guidelines. Per the LOTE TEKS Breakouts by course levels I-IV, communication is the over-arching goal and communication is defined by ACTFL modes (interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational). The goals of instruction for all Texas LOTE courses are aligned to ACTFL proficiency levels according to the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines, Novice Mid through Intermediate High, depending on the course level, as indicated below.LOTE 114.39 Level I: Novice Mid to Novice High Proficiency
LOTE 114.40 Level II: Novice High to Intermediate Low Proficiency
LOTE 114.41 Level III: Intermediate Low to Intermediate Mid Proficiency
LOTE 114.42 Level IV: Intermediate Mid to Intermediate High Proficiency
Credit-by-Examination
Credit-by-examination (CBE) is a process that allows students to earn academic credits for a course by taking an approved test and obtaining minimum scores. Students with prior formal instruction in the language being tested need to score at least 70% to earn credit, while those without prior education must achieve 80% or higher. For non-logographic languages like Spanish or French, proficiency in all four skills (Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening) must be at the same level for a given course. In contrast, for logographic languages such as Mandarin Chinese or Japanese, the requirements are slightly different, with Reading and Writing having slightly lower proficiency requirements compared to Speaking and Listening. (Source: https://tea.texas.gov/academics/learning-support-and-programs/credit-by-examination)AAPPL and CBE
To qualify for CBE in Texas, a test must align with TEKS, be secure, and demonstrate validity and reliability. The ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL) is one such test meeting these criteria for languages other than English (LOTE) levels I-IV.The AAPPL is the official ACTFL test for learners in grades 3-12 and assesses language ability across interpersonal listening and speaking, interpretive listening and reading, and presentational writing modes. It is the only test of its nature whose scores are aligned with the ACTFL proficiency scale.
The AAPPL is the only official ACTFL test for learners in grades 3-12. It meets CBE criteria by:
- Aligning with TEKS and ACTFL proficiency levels, and ensuring it measures the desired outcomes of language instruction in Texas;
- Having a test design that is based on ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines, and ensuring it accurately evaluates language skills;
- Maintaining test security and reliability; and
- Undergoing rigorous evaluation to ensure validity and fairness.
Models for Converting to Numeric Scores
The AAPPL Grade-u-lator is a tool that can be activated within LTI Client Site accounts that can assist teachers, schools, and administrators in converting AAPPL ratings to number and letter grades. This online tool allows for the process of creating grade conversion templates that outline the grade equivalencies for each AAPPL rating associated with the AAPPL in use. It allows educators and administrators to customize the grading schema to best fit their needs. The Grade-u-lator can be used to align the AAPPL scores with the Texas letter grade system:A: 90%-100%
B: 80%-89%
C: 75%-79%
D: 70%-74%
F: < 70%
Ultimately, the Grade Converter Report can easily be printed or exported to your gradebook, as needed, to satisfy internal or external reporting requirements, such as CBE.
Contact us for more information on how to bring the AAPPL to your school and district.