This study investigated skills that may assist students in preparing for academic success in a global community. The basic skills of reading and math are essential and the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 established directives to schools to increase achievement in these two areas. Unfortunately, in order to focus on increasing achievement in reading and math, the study of other disciplines has often been reduced or eliminated, including that of second language study.

This study explored what effects, if any, foreign language study in elementary schools in Pennsylvania might have on achievement in reading and math, as measured by standardized tests that were currently in place in the state. Elementary schools in Pennsylvania that provided daily, sustained second language study were identified (the target group) and the achievement of their students in reading and math as measured by the Pennsylvania State School Assessments (PSSA) was compared to the achievement of students in schools with demographics similar to the target group of schools (the control group).

The PSSA scores of all elementary students in the schools as well as the disaggregated groups of economically disadvantaged, male, female, White non-Hispanic, and Black non-Hispanic students were examined. A causal-comparative, quantitative analysis was implemented. The results showed that while in all cases the differences were statistically insignificant, in 11 out of 12 cases, the schools that provided daily, sustained second language study showed scores that were slightly higher than the schools that did not provide any second language study.

The students who received the advantage of learning a second language scored as well or slightly better than their counterparts who did not learn a second language. It is possible that the study of a second language assisted these students by strengthening or reinforcing skills necessary for success in reading and math. In addition, the elementary students who began foreign language study gained by acquiring the skills and knowledge of learning a second language that may assist them in future endeavors in the global community where interactions among people and businesses representing multiple languages and cultures have been becoming more commonplace.