New York
State Learning Standards
Standard 1: Communication Skills
Students will be able to use a language other than English for communication.
Standard 2: Cultural Understanding
Students will develop cross-cultural skills and understandings.
WHAT'S THE LATEST??
The state Second Language Proficiency text, which can be given in grade 8 or 9, measures proficiencies in languages other than English. Students must complete four parts: a written test, a speaking test, and both a listening and reading comprehension test with multiple-choice responses in English and the target language. The speaking test must be given before the written test. Students are not required by the state to take the test. Students who do not pass the proficiency test must complete two units of study before grade 10 to earn one unit of high school credit of foreign-language study. (This level is known as Checkpoint A.)
High school: The three-hour Regents Exam is typically given after the third year of study. Students must complete a written test, a speaking test and both a listening and reading comprehension test with multiple-choice responses in English and the target language. (This level is known as Checkpoint B.) A revised version of this exam is expected in June 2003.
Consequences: The graduating class of 2005 is the first class to fall under new graduation requirements of one unit of high school credit earned through two units of study in foreign language to graduate. Students grade 10 and higher face different graduation requirements.