Dr. Alan V. Brown, University of Kentucky

Dr. Gregory L. Thompson, BYU

HOW FOREIGN ARE THE SPANISH AP EXAMS? THE CASE OF HERITAGE LEARNERS

We discuss how the composition of those who take the Spanish Language and Spanish Literature exam has evolved since 1979 through 2014. We analyze how the identity of the Spanish AP Language and Literature student has changed and how this is reflected in their performance. The results come from a data set prepared by the College Board that includes totals categorized by ethnicity, score, and exam for the years 1979-1993 as well as gender and language dominance for the years encompassing 1994-2014. From 2004-2014 students' heritage language status was also included. The percentage of Hispanic examinees that completed the Spanish literature exam rose from only 14% in 1979 to 84% in 2014. Likewise, 79% of the Spanish literature examinees in 2014 were classified as heritage speakers whereas in 2004 that figure was 29%. These trends have implications for the exam, e.g., dialect selection, scoring procedures, and norming protocols, and for university-level Spanish programs.

Assessment and feedback

English

Grades 6-12, Higher Ed

11/19/17

10:00:00 AM

11:00:00 AM

Music City Center, Room 106B