get involved

The CIAA Task Force invites you as a member of the foreign language profession to:

• join the work of the CIAA action groups described in the “Menu for Participation” below;
• help the task force involve more people and organizations by soliciting organizational and individual participation from the organizations to which you are a liaison, and inviting members to join action groups of this task force;
• participate in the process of identifying criteria for model programs by nominating models to each of the CIAA action groups, including the criteria you had in mind and a description as to why the model is being nominated as an example of excellence.

Menu for Participation in Action Groups (2003-2004)

• Materials Selection: Develop criteria for an evaluation instrument for materials selection.
  Contact: Peggy Bilbro (pbilbro@randolphschool.net)
• Curriculum: Develop principles and define terms for curriculum (by looking at examples of curricula that work), compare with the criteria identified by the NVIA survey, and then nominate excellent curricula for each level (elementary, middle school, senior high, and university).
  Contact: Ginny Ballinger (RobertBallinger@att.net)
• Assessment: Gather assessment models and define criteria for designing assessment of desired language learning outcomes.
  Contact: Rita Oleksak (oleksakr@sps.springfield.ma.us)
• Program Models: Define criteria for excellent program models (based on NVIA survey results), then seek models of program excellence at all levels (elementary, middle school, high school, and university).
  Contact: Sharon Watts (swatts@tconl.com)
• Technology: Gather excellent models of the use of technology for alternative delivery (e.g., distance learning, online learning), and for accessing resources.
  Contact: Thomas Parry (Thomas.Parry@monterey.army.mil)
• Diverse Student Populations: Gather excellent models of programs targeted for diverse student populations (e.g., special needs, heritage speakers, racial or ethnic diversity, etc.).
  Contact: Anita Ratwik (ratwi001@tc.umn.edu)
• Articulation Models/Efforts: Gather excellent K-12 to postsecondary articulation models/efforts and identify the principles that have led to success.
  Contact: Paul Sandrock (s.paul.sandrock@dpi.state.wi.us)
  

Long-Term Goals (for 2003-2005)
Informed by the above short-term goals the CIAA task force plans to:

• Turn the CIAA criteria for model programs into research priorities.
• Solicit organizational endorsement of the criteria identified for these model programs and publicize them.
• Develop a program of recognizing national models in the areas of the CIAA action groups; offer a panel to review a few examples each year, then provide an award or otherwise showcase the exemplary models. Develop this program of recognition at state and regional levels too.
• Communicate the criteria for excellence and models of excellence to non-foreign language decision makers.
• Establish a searchable database for these models of excellence.
• Redefine instruction in terms of performance by identifying models and sharing information about these programs at conferences.
• Create a bibliography/literature review on these CIAA issues/topics.

If you are interested in collaborating with colleagues from across the nation by participating in a CIAA Action Group, please contact the task force co-chairs.