Chris Lemon, Spanish Teacher, Northmont High School
AAPPL Educator Panelist, Language Testing International

Title IV-A. Those were the magic words that I heard from Ryan Wertz of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce a couple of years ago. In 2019, my school district began administering the AAPPL (ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages) as a test for the Seal of Biliteracy, first with a small group of volunteer students who paid for the test and gave us valuable initial data that helped our department shift our curriculum to a more communicative future. 

After the first year, we gradually expanded the number of students tested until we began requiring it for level 4, and most level 3 students also chose to take it. And then I heard those words: Title IV-A.

It was at an Ohio World Language Association Conference a couple of years ago that I heard Ryan tell us that many schools in Ohio are using Title IV-A funds to pay for the AAPPL test for the purposes of the Seal of Biliteracy, which is how our district uses the test. These are federal funds designated for Student Support and Academic Enrichment, which the AAPPL certainly qualifies for. The test is a strong motivator for our students to continue their language education, to understand where they are in their learning, and to be honored for their progress. 

After hearing this, I contacted our curriculum specialist. To my surprise, her answer was, “Yes, we can use those funds for this. How much will it be?”  

Since then, we have required the test for all of our third- and fourth-level students, paid for by this funding stream, although we still charge for retakes. On top of that, OWLA members get a discounted price of $20 per test instead of $22.50, so make sure to email LTI and let them know that you are a member! 

If this funding stream doesn’t work for your situation, consider taking advantage of the super score to retest students in only the sections that they need, or talk to other schools around you to see what they are doing. I believe that these funds can also be used for the STAMP and other Seal of Biliteracy tests. Some testing companies like LTI have been consistently committed to keeping the cost of the AAPPL test down, and on top of that, Title IV-A might help you bring this testing opportunity to more of your students so that they can take this important step in their language journey!