Contact: Sean Greene (202) 741-0887

The DC State Board of Education (DCSBOE) adopted a resolution approving new World Languages Standards in the District of Columbia following a request for approval by State Superintendent of Education Deborah A. Gist. The standards provide the District government with additional tools to ensure that all students receive an excellent foreign language education. The standards were approved by a unanimous vote and now move to final promulgation by the State Superintendent of Education.

Under the new standards, students will receive standardized language education. The new standards were developed using a nationally recognized set of criteria. The approved standards will offer students language learning that is inclusive of classic and modern languages and American Sign Language. Most significantly, the new standards outline what is expected in this vital area of education and at what ages these standards should be implemented.

“The work that I do now takes me into many places where I hear other languages. I went into a school in Azerbaijan for young men and they were studying English, German, and their native language. They were eager to engage us in English. I recall that one of the young ladies who was acting as a translator saying that in her country they speak many languages; it is not uncommon. As I travel, I look back and say that I wish I could speak another language and that I wish I had taken more time to look at languages in my youth.” said DC State Board of Education President Robert Bobb. 

Additionally, the State Board received a briefing on a commissioned report outlining the status of children age birth to three in the District of Columbia. There was a lot of discussion about how to use this preliminary data for future development. OSSE presented the Early Learning Standards developed by the Superintendent’s office. 

View the World Languages Standards