According to the National Standards for Foreign Language Learning, advanced level language proficiency is necessary for college and career readiness. To that end, students should have uninterrupted, consistent access to early standards-based learning experiences in languages other than English. School districts are strongly encouraged to offer languages other than English in middle school. For districts that offer languages in middle school, the essential knowledge and skills are those designated as levels I-IV in Subchapter C of this chapter (relating to Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Languages Other Than English).