ACADEMIC STANDARDS: WHAT WE EXPECT OF

OUR BNC TEACHING PROGRAMS

ABLA 2010Cali - Colombia

1.DEFINITION OF STANDARDS

2.WHY EXPLORE STANDARDS IN EDUCATION AT BNCs?

3.OVERALL BNC CONTEXT

4.BNCs’ STRENGTHS

5.BNCs’ COMMON GROUND

6.HOW ARE STANDARDS USEFUL FOR BNCs

7.WHERE WE STAND NOW

8.REVIEWING THE DRAFT

9.SUGGESTED ACTION

WHAT DO WE MEAN BY STANDARDS?

DEFINITION BY TESOL:

"Standards can be defined as statements that describe the level of attainment, excellence, or requirement that is widely accepted or desired behavior or practice. Within the education context, we may have standards for a variety of audiences or functions, including standards for students, teachers, and programs."

WHY EXPLORE STANDARDS IN EDUCATION?

Santa Cruz ABLA 2008:

• Added Value•Regional Network•Competitiveness in our Market•BNCs Synergies

BNCs ACADEMIC STANDARDS

BNCs COMMON GROUND

oMission and core business

oPhysical and financial resources and limitations

oPopulation of students:- language background- L1 literacy- cultural background- motivational factors-work demands

BNC STANDARDS: KEY CHARACTERISTICS

•BNC specific•Broad enough•Improvement of the quality of education•Keep up with the times

•Criticism of standards: - One size fits all - Reductionist approach - Penalty oriented emphasis

•Potential benefits of standards: - Common point of reference - Hold all students/teachers to common expectations - Teaching standards movement spreading all over the world.

How are Standards Useful for BNCs?

• A self-review instrument.

• Have a third party do the assessment.

GUIDELINES DRAFT

Teaching Programs

1.Program Structure, Administration, and Planning2.Curriculum and Instructional Materials3.Instruction4.Learner Recruitment, Retention and Transition5.Assessment and Learner Gains6.Professional Development and Staff Evaluation

Teachers

1.Planning2.Instructing3.Assessing4.Identity and Context5.Language Proficiency6.Learning7.Commitment and Professionalism

Students

Common European Framework LEVEL GUIDED HOURS

BASIC

A1 90 - 100

A2 180 - 200

INDEPENDENT

B1 350 – 400

B2 500 – 600

PROFICIENT

C1 700 – 800

C2 + 1000

0 1 2 3 NA

Program Structure, Administration, and Planning

2% 4% 42% 51% 1%

Curriculum and Instructional Material

7% 7% 36% 50% 0%

Instruction 0% 4% 32% 64% 0%

ACADEMIC STANDARDS FOR BINATIONAL CENTERS

0 Does not know if it applies

1 May be applicable after some adjustments

2 Partially applicable

3 Completely applicable

NA Not applicable in a BNC setting

WORKING WITH THE DRAFT...

1.Are these standards applicable/measurable in your BNC context?

2.Are there any other standards that would be of use in your BNC which are not included on this draft?

Suggested Action

1.Revise/Edit guidelines draft.2.Send comments to us by Sept. 30th, 2010. 3.SC will include BNCs’ feedback.4.SC will share draft with RELOs and academic specialists.5.SC will post final draft on ABLAonline by Nov. 30th, 2010.6.Standards will be available for participating BNCs.7.Please inform SC about your kickoff dates.8.SC will contact you for periodical follow-up.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH

Vivian MorghenICANA – Buenos Aires, Argentina

vmorghen@icana.org.ar

Julio PrinCVA del Centro – Caracas, Venezuela

jprin@cvadelcentro.com