Context

Utah French DLI (K–9) + Bridge Program (Gr 10–12)

• One-way 50/50 DLI model, state-funded (SB41, 2008)
• Begins in Grade 1; two teachers per classroom
• ~5,310 French DLI students (2025-26); peak 5,598 (2022-23)
• Majority English-speaking; growing demographic diversity
• Challenges: equitable access, teacher retention, housing costs
• Bridge: 506 students; K-16 pathway in partnership with Utah universities

Francophone Charter School of Oakland (TK–8)

• Founded 2015; focus on the francophone world
• 371 students (2025-26) → 405 projected (2026-27)
• DLI model: TK-2 (90% FR), Gr 3-5 (70%), Gr 6-8 (50%)
• Diversity: 23.8% Hispanic, 24.7% White, 21.3% Multiracial, 18.5% Black
• Moving to unified campus (former Patten University) summer 2026

Richland Avenue Elementary School, LAUSD (TK–5)

• Two-way 50/50 DLI model; 2 teachers per grade (English & French)
• Established 2015; LAUSD’s first French DLI program
• 283 students (2025–26); diverse multilingual community
• 53.4% White, 9.9% Hispanic/Latino, 9.9% Black, 10.2% Two or More
• 21 English Learners; 27 SPED; 46 GATE; 52 Poverty; 10 Newcomers
• Strong demand; waitlist via lottery; added extra TK class

Benjamin Franklin Magnet School, Glendale USD (K–6)

• French DLI launched 2012; part of GUSD’s 7-language DLI program
• School built 1926; magnet program with lottery enrollment
• 90:10 model (early grades) → 50/50 by Gr 4–5
• ~50% French-speaking students in the program
• 60% White, 27% Hispanic/Latino, 10% Two or more races
• 9% English Learners; 10% Students with disabilities; 29% socio-economically disadvantaged
• Program continues at Toll MS and Hoover HS through AP French

Language Academy of San Diego, SDUSD (TK–8)

• French & Spanish Immersion; est. 1995; one-way program
• 1,019 students: 752 elementary (K–5), 267 middle school (Gr 6–8)
• Total Immersion model through Gr 2; PE & VAPA in English only
• Application-only enrollment; enrollment dip post-COVID; community outreach for recovery
• 51% Hispanic, 24% White, 13% Black, 10% Multi; 11.7% English Learners; 44% socio-economically disadvantaged
• CA Dashboard: ELA Green (+28 pts above standard); Math Green (+3.7 pts); Label FrancÉducation recipient
• Pathway: Language Academy → Patrick Henry HS and San Diego HS → French AP

Language Objectives

ACTFL Proficiency Targets (2025-26)

• Gr 1: Novice Mid (all skills)
• Gr 5: Intermediate Mid (listening) / Intermediate Low (speaking, reading, writing)
• Gr 8: Intermediate High (listening, speaking) / Intermediate Mid (reading, writing)
• Gr 9: Advanced Low (listening) / Intermediate High (speaking, reading, writing)

Bridge Gr 11-12:

• Advanced Mid (listening, speaking) / Advanced Low (reading, writing)

DELF Prim / Junior Targets

• Gr 3: A1.1
• Gr 4: A1
• Gr 6 (spring 2027): A2
• Gr 8 (spring 2029): B1
• Aligned to Common Core State Standards (CCSS)

LAUSD ACTFL Proficiency Targets

• K: NM (listening/reading); NL (interpersonal/writing)
• Gr 1: NH (listening/reading); NM (interpersonal/writing)
• Gr 2: IL (listening/reading); NM (interpersonal/writing)
• Gr 3: IM (listening); NH (interpersonal/writing); IL (reading)
• Gr 4: IM (listening/reading); IL (interpersonal/writing)
• Gr 5: IH (listening); IL (interpersonal); IM (reading/writing)
• Goal: Novice Low → Intermediate Mid by end of elementary

Proficiency Targets (ACTFL + CEFR)

• Gr 3: Novice High (N3) target across all 4 skills (STAMP); DELF Prim A1
• Gr 5: Novice High (N3) target across all 4 skills (STAMP); DELF Prim A2
• Gr 8: Intermediate High (I3) speaking target; Novice High–Intermediate range for other skills (STAMP); DELF Scolaire B1
• Color-coded benchmarking: Red = below, Yellow = on, Green = above target

DELF Proficiency Targets (estimated)

• Gr 3: DELF Prim A1
• Gr 5: DELF Prim A2
• Gr 8: DELF Junior/Scolaire B1 (students choose A2 or B1 in consultation with teacher)
• HS French 7/8 and AP: DELF Junior/Scolaire B2
• MS French LA aligned to 2019 CA World Language Standards and ACTFL World-Readiness Standards
• Goal: DELF B1 accepted as proof of proficiency for SDUSD CA Seal of Biliteracy (since 2025)

Assessment

Proficiency

• STAMP (Gr 3+) — gap: Gr 1-2 not yet assessed
• AP French (Gr 9-10)
• Bridge: OPIc (oral) + WPT (written)

Language

• 4 IPAs/year: 3 modes, 4 skills, backward design

Content

• RISE standardized test; district benchmarks

French

• DELF Prim/Junior (Gr 3, 4, 6, 8)
• GB+ reading assessments (elementary)
• French writing assessment project (2024-26) + rubrics (2025-26)

English

• NWEA MAP (Gr 2-8); DIBELS (fall 2026)
• Amplify CKLA interim assessments; Multitudes dyslexia screening

Monitoring

• Wednesday PLCs + 5 PD days/year; Tier 1-2 intervention

Language Proficiency

• LAUSD Pathway to Biliteracy (UTK–12th grade)
• Promise to Bilingualism Awards: UTK, K, 1st grade
• 3rd Grade LOTE: reading log (5+ books in FR) + MMED written response (NH target); or DLP proficiency criteria
• Pathway to Biliteracy Awards: Gr 5 and Gr 8
• 5th/6th Grade Writing Rubric (ACTFL-aligned, 1–5 scale; passing score: 3+ for French)
• California Seal of Biliteracy (Grade 12)

Proficiency & Literacy Assessments

• Avant STAMP 4S and 4Se (Gr 3, 5, 8): all 4 skills
• DELF Prim A1 (Gr 3), A2 (Gr 5); DELF Scolaire B1 (Gr 8)
• Acadience Reading Français / IDAPEL: standardized early French literacy screener 3x/year (K–3); fast (2–3 min/student)
• ILT monthly meetings: K–3 fluency tracking by trimester
• Teacher tests, quizzes, and informal assessments

Assessment Tools

• DELF Prim/Scolaire: currently Gr 8 only; next step: expand to Gr 5 (DELF A2) and AVANT STAMPe
• CAASPP (English content)
• Grade-level unit formative and summative assessments in French
• MS Social Studies: oral presentations, projects, writing assessments (on-demand and end-of-unit), Wayground/Quizizz, DELF practice tests tied to units
• Language & Grade Level PLCs: data review to guide instruction, differentiation, and interventions
• Seal of Biliteracy recognized at K, 5th, and 8th grades; DELF B1 accepted as proficiency proof (2025)

Alignment

• Curriculum maps available: utahfrenchdli.org/teachers/
• Grammar progressions for Gr 7-9 developed
• ELA/SOR alignment in progress
• French literacy vertical alignment in development
• Content adapted for DLI (not direct translation)

• French curriculum project 2023-24: vertical alignment to CCSS
• Writing assessments + rubrics project 2024-26
• Adjacent-grade teachers compare progressions collaboratively
• Amplify CKLA adopted (SOR-aligned, summer 2024)
• TCI Social Studies Alive! translated into French (K-3, summer 2026)

Curriculum & Standards Alignment

• ACTFL guidelines, immersion research, and California standards guide proficiency targets
• 50/50 language split: French used for math, science, social studies, cultural content; daily ELA in English
• French curriculum resources and vertical K–5 alignment in development
• California Amplify CKLA (SOR-aligned) used for English ELA

Vertical & Cross-Grade Alignment

• Language Writing Expectations Chart created for K–6
• K–3 fluency rate chart developed internally
• Annual cross-grade collaboration: new teacher observation, shared writing/reading rubrics, French curriculum alignment
• K–12 pathway established: Franklin → Toll MS → Hoover HS → AP French

Vertical & Cross-Program Alignment

• 2019 California Curriculum Map: 10 Southern CA teachers collaborated to align 3-mode grade-level expectations (K–8); Can-Do statements divided by grade; sample texts identified
• Grade and Language PLCs ongoing
• 2025: Pathway-to-HS collaboration with Patrick Henry HS and San Diego HS
• Cross-program alignment with Spanish immersion colleagues: shared standards, best practices, strategies, and resources
• FACE/Villa Albertine networking since 2017: national French DLI network for program reflection and improvement

Curriculum & Content

Gr 1-3 (~58% FR): Taoki (literacy), math, science, social studies in French

Math: enVision Math 2.0; Science: Seeds Storyline / Discovery Science

Gr 4-5 (~50% FR): Mille-feuilles; math/science reinforcement in French

Gr 6: Social studies in French; math + ELA in English

Gr 7-9: 2 required DLI courses + elective (Culture/History/Media)

• AP: Thèmes (Vista Higher Learning)

Bridge Gr 10-12:

• 3 university courses (3 credits each), 3-year rotation cycle
• Grammaire Progressive; thematic readings (Verne, Hugo…)

TK-2 (90% FR): All subjects in French; ELA skills only in English

• French: Autour des livres (TK-1), Taoki (Gr 2)
• Math: Eureka Math translated into French (summer 2025)

Gr 3-5 (70% FR): All subjects in French; ELA skills + knowledge in English

• French: Coccinelle (Gr 3), Amis et compagnie (Gr 4-8)

Gr 6-8 (50% FR): French, science (FOSS), VPA, PE, robotics, SEL in French

• Math, social studies, ELA in English; TCI SS Alive! (trans. FR K-3, summer 2026)

Online: IXL, Kids A-Z, lalilo, LearningApps.org

TK–5 (50% French)

• French literacy: Taoki (CP/Gr 1); À portée de mots / Espace-mots (CE2/Gr 2); lalilo (online)
• Math: Eureka Math (translated into French); i-Ready
• Science: Amplify Science; Mystery Science (in French)
• ELA/ELD: Amplify CKLA; DIBELS; i-Ready
• Health: The Great Body Shop (bilingual EN/FR)
• Enrichment: Orchestra (Gr 3–5), General Music (TK–2), Theater, Library, Garden, French Art, PE

K–6 (90:10 → 50/50)

• K–1 (90% FR): French LA, Math, Science, SS, Art, PE; 10% English LA
• Gr 2 (80% FR); Gr 3 (70% FR); Gr 4–6 (50–60% FR): French LA, Science, Art; English SS, Math, ELA, PE at upper grades
• French literacy: Pilotis 2019 (CP/Gr 1) — méthode de lecture + compréhension
• Digital tools: lalilo (Renaissance), ESGI (Kindergarten phonics/sight words)
• Authentic French resources, textbooks, and teacher-created materials
• Middle/HS: 1 period French language arts; all other subjects in English

TK–8 Language Allocation

• K–2 (95% FR): All subjects in French; PE, VAPA, Library in English
• Gr 3 (70% FR): French, Science, Math; English, SS, PE, VAPA, Library
• Gr 4–5 (50% FR): French, Science, Math; English, SS, PE, VAPA, Library
• Gr 6–8 (30% FR): French LA + Social Studies in French; Math, Science, English, PE in English
• French literacy: Les Alphas (TK/K); Lilou + Clicmots (Gr 1–2, Les Éditions CEC); En Route! (Gr 3–4); LuDiQ (Gr 5)
• MS French LA: thematic units (leisure, global challenges, science & technology, la francophonie, etc.); DELF Scolaire prep
• MS Social Studies in French: Lumni.fr/college, teacher-curated authentic resources and teacher-created units; no French SS textbook available

Successes

• DLI students outperform non-DLI peers on RISE (Gr 4-7, all subjects)
• Bridge OPIc 2025: 40% Advanced Low, 33% Intermediate High
• K-16 pathway established (DLI → Bridge → university)
• Grammar progressions for Gr 7-9 created
• Curriculum maps publicly accessible online for teachers

• SBAC 2025: FCSO ~58% ELA and ~50% math vs. OUSD ~34%/~27%
• Teacher retention: 91% (2024), 93% (2025)
• Zero suspensions/expulsions (2024-2026)
• French writing assessments + rubrics developed (2024-26)
• French instruction vertically aligned to CCSS

Academic Performance

• Significantly outperforms LAUSD district in ELA and math (2024–25); strong upward trend since 2021–22
• Approaching California state averages in both subjects
• California Distinguished School; Label FrancÉducation recipient
• Strong enrollment demand with waitlist; added extra TK class
• LAUSD full Pathway to Biliteracy framework implemented K–12
• Booster Club-funded paid planning time supports teacher collaboration

Successes

• 90/10 model with 50% French-speaking students drives strong immersion outcomes
• STAMP and DELF results demonstrate measurable proficiency at Gr 3, 5, and 8
• Small-group instruction identified as high-impact instructional practice
• Strong teacher collaboration culture within the program
• K–12 program pathway through AP French established and functioning
• GUSD institutional support: 7-language DLI portfolio with district-level coordination

Successes

• 30-year school of excellence; nationally recognized French DLI program
• CA Dashboard: Green in ELA (28 pts above standard) and Math (3.7 pts above standard)
• Label FrancÉducation distinction
• FACE/Villa Albertine network since 2017 — improved program coherence, gained district and parent advocates
• Strong instructional practices: Project GLAD, portfolio presentations across grades, vertical alignment work
• Strong parent organization (Friends of Language Academy + LAPTSA); robust parent education pathway
• SDUSD Multilingual Education Dept. now accepts DELF B1 for CA Seal of Biliteracy (since 2025)

Challenges

• AP scores below national average (68% vs. 73% scoring ≥3 in 2025)
• Insufficient grammatical accuracy at AP/Bridge levels
• Gr 1-2 not assessed with STAMP (proficiency data gap)
• Enrollment slightly declining since 2022-23
• ELA/SOR and vertical alignment not yet finalized
• Insufficient text selections for Gr 4-5

• Teaching content-area subjects in French at upper grades
• Growing middle school needs: robotics, travel, DELF
• Limited PD access for French-speaking teachers (language barrier)
• Financial constraints: credentials, visas for teachers
• French resources for Gr 4-5 not yet secured (only K-3 finalized)

Program Challenges

• Enrollment decline beginning in Grade 2
• Hiring and retaining qualified French-speaking teachers
• French curriculum resources and K–5 vertical alignment not yet complete
• Paid planning time depends on Booster Club funding (not institutionally sustainable)

Challenges

• Teacher retention and turnover
• Insufficient time for French teachers to collaborate across grades
• Ongoing PD in French and new teacher onboarding/training
• State-standards aligned French curricular materials (acute challenge with each new district textbook adoption)
• UCLA French Bilingual Authorization no longer exists — pipeline for credentialed French DLI teachers diminished

Challenges

• Staffing-driven combination classes disrupt language allocation and DLI model fidelity
• Shrinking budget: loss of resource teachers, PLC time, training, and curriculum consumables each year
• Eureka Squared CA Edition math adoption not yet translated/adapted in French
• No French textbooks available for MS Social Studies — heavy reliance on teacher-created materials
• DELF currently only in Gr 8; proficiency assessment gaps at Gr 3 and 5
• Need for integrated French language development & differentiation across all content areas for diverse proficiency levels
• Recruiting/retaining teachers with Multiple Subject credential + high French proficiency + immersion training
• lumni.fr access restricted for programs outside France despite Label FrancÉducation

Curricular Needs

• French literacy assessment tools for Gr 1-2
• French literacy framework aligned to SOR principles
• Authentic texts at Gr 4-5 level (corpus to be developed)
• Completion of vertical alignment (K-9)
• Resources to improve grammatical accuracy at AP/Bridge levels

• French-language resources for Gr 4-5 (current gap)
• French-language content-area resources for middle school
• PD resources designed for French-speaking teachers
• Financial support: credentials and visas for teachers

Priority Needs

• Vertically aligned French curriculum resources for all grades K–5
• French literacy and content-area materials for Gr 3–5
• Institutional planning time funding and French teacher recruitment pipeline

Priority Needs

• Speaking vertical alignment: curriculum development across all grade levels
• Updated resources and materials (original curriculum dates to 2012)
• Curriculum maps for all grade levels
• Professional learning opportunities in French
• Support at local, state, and national level for French DLI programs

Priority Needs

• High-quality, authentic French literature and instructional materials across grade levels (not solely translations)
• Age-appropriate concrete and digital resources in French for all content areas
• Expand DELF assessment to Gr 5; explore AVANT STAMPe for elementary grades
• Professional learning: access and collaboration through Label FrancÉducation network
• Funding, credentialing pathways, training, and advocacy at local, state, and national levels