Wisconsin Standards for World Languages (2019)
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction has a transparent and comprehensive process for reviewing and revising academic standards. The process began with a Notice of Intent to review and a public comment period which began on July 13, 2018. The State Superintendent’s Standards Review Council examined those comments and recommended to revise the standards. The State Superintendent authorized the writing of new Wisconsin Academic Standards for World Languages.
The writing committee has developed revised standards. The first draft was released on January 28, 2019, for public review and provided to the education committees of the legislature. After the 30-day comment period ended, the State Superintendent’s Standards Review Council provided further review on April 3. The council passed their recommendation to adopt the revised standards to the State Superintendent, who formally adopted them on June 3, 2019 via this letter to the co-chairs.
Want to learn about the 2019 Wisconsin Standards for World Languages?
Listen to this recorded Wisconsin Standards for World Languages Orientation Webinar with DPI World Language and Global Education Consultant, Pam Delfosse.
Historical Context for Model Academic Standards for Learning Languages Other Than English
The 1997 Wisconsin Model Academic Standards for Foreign Languages reflect the goal areas of the national academic Standards for Foreign Language Learning: Preparing for the 21st Century (1996). The World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages (2015) build upon these identified goal areas to define college, career and world-readiness through world language learning. This version of the Standards includes targeted attention to literacy and 21st century skill development. The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages and the National Council of State Supervisors for Languages published revised performance indicators benchmarked by language proficiency level in November of 2017. The NCSSFL-ACTFL Can Do Statements include new intercultural communication learning goals representing intercultural investigations and interactions. These benchmarks provide goals for helping students investigate cultural products and practices to understand cultural perspectives and to interact with others in and from other cultures. The Department of Public Instruction is committed to supporting local school communities as they develop and implement standards and proficiency-based world language education programs for a world-ready Wisconsin. Review and potential revision of our State Standards for World Languages will add value to this process.
For more information, please contact DPI World Languages and International Education Consultant, Pam Delfosse at pamela.delfosse@dpi.wi.gov