STUDENT SUCCESS FACTORS AT DEFENSE LANGUAGE INSTITUTE FOREIGN LANGUAGE CENTER
Loading...
Authors
Bermudez-Mendez, Jonathan
Subjects
DLI
Defense Language Institute
machine learning
statistical model
Defense Language Institute
machine learning
statistical model
Advisors
Buttrey, Samuel E.
Alt, Jonathan K.
Date of Issue
2020-03
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
The Defense Language Institute (DLI) is a DOD educational and research institution that provides language instruction in over 16 different languages and dialects to thousands of students annually. DLI implements an immersion program where select students spend time in their third semester immersed in the language and culture that they are studying in an effort to improve proficiency. At the end of a student’s course of instruction, DLI administers the Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT). The current minimum score to pass the DLPT for all basic program students is L2/R2/S1+, and not all students meet this standard. The director of the National Security Agency (NSA) identified that the L2/R2 standard leaves too large a training gap to meet NSA’s operational requirements. DLI has been directed to increase the graduation standard to L2+/R2+, which most students do not currently meet.
We developed four stepwise logistic regression models that could predict a student’s probability of success at different stages in the student lifecycle. As a student progresses through the program, performance in advanced language classes was the most significant factor in predicting success. Factors such as DLAB score, prior language experience, and language category proved significant throughout the student lifecycle. We found that, after accounting for selection bias, the immersion program did not significantly contribute to improved DLPT performance.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Operations Research (OR)
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.