1. An Informational Update on Foreign Language in Arkansas Public Schools Dr. Laura Bednar Arkansas Department of Education December 7, 2011

2. Arkansas Standards for Accreditation Ark. Code Ann. 6-15-213 and 6-15-1214 Grades K-4 9.03.2.3 Social Studies Grades 5-8 9.03.3.4 Social Studies

3. Arkansas Standards for Accreditation Grades 9 – 12 9.03.4.4 Foreign Languages 2 units of the same language Smart Core – Foreign Language is not a Smart Core requirement

4. 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.

5. Foreign Language Curriculum Frameworks K-8 Foreign Language Experiences K-8 Foreign Language Acquisition Grades 9 – 12 High School Credit Courses Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Latin, Spanish (Additionally, ADE has approved a few Russian courses).

6. http://www.actfl.org/i4a/pages/index.cfj?pag eID=5304 http://www.actfl.org/i4a/pages/index.cfj?pag eID=5304 http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/curriculum/2 011/11/effort_to_tie_foreign_language.html http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/curriculum/2 011/11/effort_to_tie_foreign_language.html Information from CCSSO

7. 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