Alpine School District reports measurable gains in world language proficiency, outlines barriers and plans for split in 2027

Alpine School District world language leaders told the school board at a study session that job‑embedded, content‑specific professional learning and coaching have produced measurable gains in student language proficiency across nine languages.

"We exist to develop global citizens by building language proficiency and cultural understanding," said Jody Lindsay, the district's world language specialist, describing the program mission the team created in 2019.

Lindsay and Rachel McFarland, who co‑lead the district world language program and teaches French at American Fork High School, presented year‑to‑year STAMP and ACTFL results for multiple modes (reading, writing, speaking, listening) and a district summary showing increased Seal of Biliteracy and syllabus‑literacy awards. They credited expanded professional learning time, in‑district coaching, and teacher cohorts for the improvement.

District results and professional learning

Lindsay said Alpine used the STAMP assessment for the first time districtwide in 2024 and expanded its use in 2025. She presented ASL and other language score trends and noted the number of students achieving the Utah syllabus literacy rose from 39 in 2023 to 63 in 2024 and 145 in 2025 in ASL. She also said "we had almost 900 students who earned the seal" when referencing Seal of Biliteracy results across languages.

Presenters showed gains particularly in speaking and listening — areas where the district concentrated professional learning — and said growth…