Middlebury Interactive Languages and Avant Assessment Partner to Deliver Independent Verification of Proficiency in K-12 Online World Language Learning

Middlebury Interactive Languages (MIL), an academic leader in world language instruction for K-12 students, now offers Avant’s STAMP testing as yet another powerful technological tool for schools to measure effectiveness in the MIL online world language learning programs. Increasingly, world language proficiency is becoming prioritized as a core skill for 21st Century Readiness and world language learning is seen as a necessary rather than elective part of preparing American students to communicate as global citizens.

As U.S. states and school districts place increased value in world language education, the rigorous, independent performance assessments traditionally applied to core disciplines such as math and language arts are becoming more prevalent for world language. As an independent 3rd party test, STAMP provides the necessary objective assessment and reporting required by administrators and parents. STAMP is research-based with scores reported according to benchmarks related to the American Council on the Teaching of World Languages (ACTFL) Performance Guidelines. The ACTFL guidelines are used by most states as the basis for their world language standards at the novice and intermediate levels.

Grading of STAMP tests are conducted by trained language experts for the speaking and writing portion and includes protocols to ensure a superior level of agreement in scoring. STAMP reports offer tangible evidence on progress at the student, class, and district levels, which enable educators to make data-informed choices for curriculum development and professional development.

"As the leading research- and standards-based, web-delivered second language learning solution and assessment solution, MIL and STAMP are complementary offerings for the education market," said Mike Patterson, President and CEO of Avant Assessment. "We are excited about the value that STAMP will bring to MIL’s clients and look forward to the resulting availability of data that this partnership brings to researchers, educators and students."

“At Middlebury Interactive Languages, our goal is to provide teachers with the most effective tools available to make data-driven instructional decisions for their students.” stated Dave Benoit, CEO of Middlebury Interactive Languages. “A valid and reliable assessment instrument is absolutely critical to understand and improve classroom results. We selected Avant’s STAMP test because it has a proven record of results, and it is clearly the most respected and robust tool in world language learning”.

The partnership between MIL and Avant will provide a new, highly-regarded independent measure of MIL online instructional programs, as part of the MIL portfolio of products. A STAMP assessment test is also in development for use in the Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy four-week intensive program, to quantify the leaps in advancement students achieve after completing the program. MIL and Avant share a commitment to provide innovative education solutions that will prepare American K-12 students to be college- and career-ready global citizens in the 21st Century.

About Middlebury Interactive Languages

Middlebury Interactive Languages is poised to become the premier academic leader in world language instruction for K-12 students as part of 21st Century readiness. Middlebury Interactive Languages (MIL) was formed Spring 2010, as a joint venture between Middlebury College, a top liberal arts college renowned for languages and international studies, and K12, Inc. (NYSE: LRN), the nation’s largest provider of proprietary curriculum and online education programs for K-12 students. All working within rigorous academic teaching methods and ACTFL standards, the MIL portfolio of products also includes Powerspeak, accredited world language online courses for grades 3-12; Middlebury Prep Online, a new virtual academy for high school students offering the most immersive product in the market today; Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy, a full-immersion residency program on college campuses, Avant STAMP assessment and Professional Development.

About Avant Assessment

Avant Assessment enables individuals to be confident in making decisions informed by quality data. Avant merges innovation and expertise in assessment, linguistics and technology to design and deliver assessments that result in easily accessible and flexible reporting for language leaders in multiple fields including education. Avant’s extensive team of technology and assessment experts and language specialists span the globe and contribute to Avant’s K-16 solutions that include the STAndards-based Measurement of Proficiency, STAMP. Founded in 2001, Avant’s web-based language assessments have been delivered to over a million individuals throughout the world.