The Performance Assessment Initiative is a collaborative effort between CAL and the National K-12 Foreign Language Resource Center. This initiative is designed to improve the ability of K-12 foreign language teachers to assess their students and to help them integrate assessment practices with foreign language standards. Current activities include: 1) providing training in the administration and rating of the Student Oral Proficiency Assessment (SOPA); 2) maintaining an "on-line" foreign language assessment resource guide; 3) developing and validating an Early Language Learning Oral Proficiency Assessment (ELLOPA) and accompanying student self-assessment, and 4) conducting a study of the benefits and drawbacks of using distance learning technology to teach languages to young children.

1. SOPA Training
The goal of this project is to provide opportunities for foreign language educators to receive training in the administration and rating of the SOPA, an oral assessment interview used in immersion and other types of elementary foreign language programs.
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2. Directory of K-12 Foreign Language Assessment Instruments and Resources
The goal of this project is to provide detailed information about assessment resources for foreign language educators of students in grades K-12.
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3. Early Language Learning Oral Proficiency Assessment
The goal of this project is to develop, field-test, and validate an oral assessment instrument for use in the earliest stages of language learning in elementary school foreign language programs.
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4. Distance Learning Research Study
The goal of this project is to investigate the benefits and drawbacks of using distance learning technology to teach languages toyoung children.
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Student Oral Proficiency Assessment (SOPA) Validity and Reliability Research Study

The goal of this research study was to revise and validate the Student Oral Proficiency Assessment (SOPA), one of the few oral proficiency instruments that is designed specifically for children in elementary school language programs.
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