This discussion has been very helpful. Our program is among those planning
to adopt state adult ESL content standards.

So, as we look at where to start, I'd like to ask others how their programs
have assessed learner outcomes. 

Simply put, how do we measure whether learners are attaining the
competencies that they need to meet their language-learning goals? 

Virginia's adult ESL content standards, although still in draft form, have
identified competencies for each language skill and proficiency level - and
benchmarks and progress indicators to determine whether the competencies are
being attained. 

However, I'm wondering how other programs have measured progress. Learner
self-assessment? Teacher observations? Portfolios? Or formal assessment
tools, like standardized tests?

Many thanks for sharing ideas! 

--------------------------
Betsy Lindeman Wong
Lead ESL Teacher
Alexandria Adult and Community Education 

-----Original Message-----
From: specialtopics-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:specialtopics-bounces at nifl.gov]
On Behalf Of David J. Rosen
Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2008 7:58 AM
To: specialtopics at nifl.gov
Subject: [SpecialTopics 1007] More questions on state content standards

Colleagues,

We have just today and tomorrow left for this discussion. If you have  
more questions and comments, especially if you have new ideas,  
information or a point of view to add, now is the time.

Here are several more great questions from subscribers for our guests  
-- and others. Please read them all. You may have some answers to  
them which others would appreciate.

. "The business of standards:  Weeks after content standards were  
officially launched in our state, textbook publishers were busily  
developing correlations between their textbooks and our standards.     
Many publishers are already making dubious claims about how their  
text is "aligned" with our standards, yet, as far as I know, nobody  
has checked their work.  Have any other states experienced problems  
with publishers trying to cash in on adult education content  
standards?  Have any states attempted to work with publishers in any  
way in order to avoid false or inflated standards claims?"

  . "Unintended Consequences:  A few our most experienced teachers  
that were beginning to work with standards got the feeling that in  
order to "comply" with standards education, they were going to have  
to teach from a textbook rather than developing their own creative  
activities.   While there was nothing in our professional development  
that pointed in this direction, this is the impression that many  
teachers had:  standards meant falling into line with some textbook  
or established curriculum.  Have any other state experienced this  
unintended effect of standards-based education? Are content standards  
in any limiting the creativity and initiative or our best teachers?"

. How can we use content standards  as we teach a diverse group of  
adult learners, keeping their motivation high and reaching their  
individual needs?

. What will your state do to align standards to the NRS when it changes?

. What will your state do to align standards with diploma programs  
that have Carnegie units like those in  K-12 to earn a diploma in the  
adult education arena?

. Does your state - does any state - have content standards for  
workforce education?


David J. Rosen
Special Topics Discussion Moderator
djrosen at comcast.net



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