CAL has been awarded a three-year grant by the International Research and Studies Program of the U.S. Department of Education to conduct a research study to identify program models and practices that strengthen K-16 language program articulation. The Strengthening K-16 Language Program Articulation project will allow CAL to provide research-based guidance about best practices to build foreign language program articulation from K-12 to higher education.

To identify program models and practices that strengthen K-16 articulation and provide research-based guidance for language programs and institutions, the study will address four research questions:
1. What is the landscape of K-16 foreign language program articulation in the United States?
2. How do higher education practices for crediting previous foreign language study, including the Seal of Biliteracy, support K-16 foreign language program articulation, and where is more support needed?
3. What are postsecondary students’ perspectives on transitions from high school to college foreign language study?
4. What do case studies of program models and practices indicate about effective foreign language program articulation from K-12 to higher education, including to and from community colleges?

In addition to a comprehensive literature review and analysis of practices and regulatory frameworks related to articulation agreements and crediting prior foreign language learning, the study will involve large-scale surveys of state foreign language supervisors, high school and postsecondary foreign language educators, administrators, and policymakers, and postsecondary students, with the educator and student surveys each targeting hundreds of respondents; interviews with 10 educators and administrators highly involved in K-16 language program articulation projects and 20 students; and five case studies of institutions of higher education that have articulated language programs with community colleges and high schools.

Opportunities to participate in the research study will be open to all educators, policymakers, and postsecondary students interested in K-16 foreign language program articulation. If you are interested in participating in this project or would like more information, please contact Jenna Bushton at jbushton@cal.org.