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Alpine School District says its world‑language students outpace state average for Utah Seal of Biliteracy
Summary
Alpine School District presenters told the Utah State Board of Education that a shift to proficiency‑based instruction and ongoing teacher professional learning raised Seal of Biliteracy rates; Alpine awarded more than 650 seals last year and reported roughly 10–11% of seniors earned the credential versus a 4% statewide average.
Jody Lindsay, world language specialist for Alpine School District, told the Utah State Board of Education that the district has increased student proficiency in world languages after shifting instruction toward communicative proficiency and frequent professional learning.
Lindsay said Alpine began testing Level 3, 4 and AP students on the same exam used for dual‑language students and that the district tests speaking, writing, listening and reading. "We are moving our students really from at level to above level," she said, and noted that Alpine awarded 658 seals to graduates last year and reported roughly 10.8% of its seniors earned the Utah Seal of Biliteracy compared with a 4% statewide rate.
The presentation traced the district's move over about a decade from vocabulary‑based instruction to an emphasis on students' ability to create with language. Lindsay credited regular professional learning and repeated classroom implementation for the gains, and said Alpine saw its proportion of low‑performing students decline while more students reached or exceeded grade targets.
Board members and staff asked clarifying questions about how Alpine measures proficiency and when testing occurs. Lindsay said the district tests toward the end of the school year, noting that seat time and testing windows (February through early March) affect results. She described the assessment as covering the four modes of communication and said district data include both first‑language and second‑language learners.
The presentation included state context: Lindsay referenced the Utah requirement that students demonstrate intermediate proficiency to earn the state Seal of Biliteracy and tied Alpine's practices to that standard. No formal board action or vote was taken on the presentation.
Board communications coordinator Kelsey James introduced the segment and noted the board would hear data and examples from Alpine staff. The board moved on after a brief discussion and public recognition of the district's work.
