2020 CAS - World Languages Standards Summary of Changes

Colorado state law requires a review and revision of the Colorado Academic Standards every six years with the first review to be completed by July 2018. Stronger alignment of learning expectations within and across grades had been the primary focus of the review and revision process. This includes additions, deletions, revisions and reorganizations of the standards. Listed below is a summary of the substantive revisions of the World Languages Standards. 

Notable Changes to All Content Area Standards:

The review committees made changes to the structure of the standards that apply to all content areas:

• Changes to the title of the Prepared Graduate Competencies section of the standards document to Prepared Graduate Statements to reduce confusion with competency-based learning systems of instruction and assessment practices.
• Changes to the title of the right side of the standards document from 21st Century Skills and Readiness Competencies to Academic Context and Connections. The sections within the Academic Context and Connections continue to focus on essential skills and relevant connections to the Grade Level Expectations.

Revisions Applicable to All Proficiency Ranges

• The Standard Titles will be revised to align with the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages.
• Prepared Graduate Competencies and GLEs of each standard will be revised to align with the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages.
• All the Range Level Expectations for Standard 1 Communication will be revised to align with the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages
• The “Evidence Outcomes” will be revised to align with the *NCSSFL-ACTFL Can-Do Statements to provide key components that define the range level. *National Council of State Supervisors for Languages.
• The “Inquiry Questions” will be revised to align with the *NCSSFL-ACTFL Can-Do Statements. *National Council of State Supervisors for Languages.
• Section “Relevance and Application” will be revised to “Colorado Essential Skills and Real-World Application” for clarity.  
• Section “Nature of World Languages” will be included in the narrative of the standards.
• The Colorado Essential Skills and Real-World Applications will be revised to align with the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages.

Addition of Preschool World Language Standards

• Preschool Standards are developed for all 4 Standards of World Language
• Preschool Standards incorporate all elements of each Range Level Expectation within one Preschool Learning and Development Expectation. 
  • For example: Standard 1 Range Level Expectations 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 can be found in 1+ of Preschool Learning and Development Expectation incorporating all of 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 at a Preschool Novice-Low Range Level Expectations.