The world is getting smaller, and Kent School District’s world language program is getting bigger. Gone are the days where French, German, and Spanish were the only foreign language electives. In a school district in which 138 languages are spoken, the Kent School District is expanding its language program in partnership with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instructions, with support from a grant by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The new program, which was implemented this spring, assesses proficiency of students who already speak another language. The assessment allows them to earn high school credits for their current language skills.

In this first year of implementation, students had the chance to test their skills in Arabic, Japanese, Mandarin, and Italian, in addition to Spanish, French, and German. In year two, KSD hopes to expand the options to other languages in which many Kent students are likely to be literate, such as Vietnamese, Russian, Somali, and Punjabi.

75 students participated this spring, and 74 of them earned high school credit.

Next year assessments will be open to eighth-grade students for credit. Earning these credits allows students to focus on English as a Second Language classes, new languages, or other classes.

“Kent School District serves students who reflect the workforce of the future. With over 138 language systems represented, it makes sense that we recognize the languages our young people bring to the classroom,” saids Superintendent Dr. Edward Lee Vargas, “Languages that will serve to strengthen America’s competitiveness in a global economy.”

Kent School District is the fourth largest school district in Washington State and its most ethnically diverse district. It is a Microsoft International Demonstration Site and is known for its technology in the classroom and educational innovation.