Language Learning Solutions' Online Language Assessment Drives Chinese K-16 National Security Language Initiative

Business Wire, Jan 10, 2006

EUGENE, Ore. -- On Thursday, January 5, 2006, the White House unveiled the National Security Language Initiative (NSLI).

At a media roundtable, Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Dr. David Chu said, "One of the things the Initiative will do... is to underwrite... K-12 programs in important foreign languages. We did fund through the National Security Education Program the first such program, in Oregon. There's a great story out there. I'd encourage those of you who aren't familiar with it to get it..."

Dr. Chu was referring to the Chinese K-16 Language Initiative in Oregon. The Initiative is a groundbreaking language education program overseen by Language Learning Solutions' (LLS) partner, the University of Oregon's Center for Applied Second Language Studies (CASLS). CASLS is working with Portland Public Schools (PPS) to provide Oregon students with world-class language education from kindergarten through college.

LLS is proud to contribute to the Initiative by delivering the STAMP assessment to students in the program. STAMP, the Standards-based Measurement of Proficiency, is a Web-based language proficiency assessment created by CASLS. It is at the heart of the Oregon model, and is delivered to classrooms and supported and managed by LLS. STAMP is leading the trend towards proficiency-oriented, statistically validated, online language assessment.

"STAMP is what we will use to measure student performance throughout the program," said PPS Immersion Coordinator Michael Bacon. "It will be the backbone of our program evaluation, articulation and individual counseling for students and parents. We will also use the results to focus professional development for our teachers."

"The Initiative is about creating a generation of leaders with linguistic, cultural and academic training to lead the U.S.-China relationship in the 21st century," said CASLS Director Dr. Carl Falsgraf. "That relationship needs leaders in diverse fields who speak, read and write Chinese fluently, and this program will produce those kinds of graduates."

"LLS is proud of the role it will play in this important initiative for U.S. language education," said LLS President John Haakanson. "With our extensive experience delivering online language assessments to classrooms nationwide, we are well positioned to contribute to the success of NSLI."

About Language Learning Solutions

LLS (www.onlinells.com) is a recognized pioneer in Web-delivered assessment in the foreign language and English-as-a-second-language (ESL) fields. In a unique public-private partnership, LLS works closely with the University of Oregon's Center for Applied Second Language Studies. This partnership capitalizes on the University's research power, coupled with a responsive business entity to deliver grant-developed tools, created by educators, for educators. Over 60 educational partners in 25 states use LLS' Web-based language proficiency assessment and instructional support tools for such diverse purposes as standards review, federal reporting requirements, placement and articulation, credit granting and professional development.