Comparison of proficiency objectives, performance objectives and success at follow-on training

• Main Author: Marchant, Johanna M.
• Other Authors: Buttrey, Samuel E.
• Language: en_US
• Published: Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School 2013
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10945/32760

The Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC) trains students in over 21 foreign languages for the Department of Defense (DoD) . The National Security Agency (NSA) and Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) are responsible for setting the training objectives for students entering professional fields in intelligence. In the past, general proficiency in listening, reading, and speaking skills has been the focus of language learning and testing in the DoD. Certain minimum scores on the Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) are required for certain training and operational positions within the DoD. DoD has not established applicable performance objective scores for training and operational positions. Individual service commanders at DLIFLC may exercise some discretion in borderline cases where general minimum DLPT requirements have not been met. They may take into account performance objective scores and grant waivers for attending Goodfellow Air Force Base (GAFB) follow-on training. The purpose of this study is to determine how the performance objective scores relate to success on the DLPT andhow the combination of DLPT and performance objective testsmight possibly relate to success on follow-on training at GAFB. Success at GAFB is defined by on-time graduation, number of required special-assistance hours, and performance on "block" tests.