Behind The Standards Development Process

The Impetus

In 2016, Dr. Janine Theiler initiated the first World Language Colloquium to discuss and establish priorities for NDE in meeting the needs of world language teachers across the state. Task force groups were formed to address needs in the areas of programming, proficiency, professional learning, advocacy and collaboration. Around that time, NDE decided to establish a consistent and cohesive plan to creating and revising standards in all content areas. A schedule for revision was created that marked 2018 as the year for World Language revision.

The Research

The NDE World Language Specialist sent a statewide survey to all world language teachers in December 2017. Teachers were asked for input that would help to shape the discussion at the upcoming second World Language Colloquium. Questions included prompts for language demographics, materials used, the role of the current world language frameworks, and professional practices.

World Language Colloquium 2018

Forty participants gathered in Lincoln in February 2018. The majority of participants were those who had participated in the 2016 Colloquium. Representatives from districts throughout the state, technical colleges, universities, educational service units, and international associations discussed the purpose of language learning and the skill sets that it requires.

World Language Standards Advisory Council

Seventeen educators arrived in Lincoln in June and August 2018 to author the revised standards. The group analyze and compared standards from other states, from other content areas, and from national organizations both language and non-language specific. Working through mindful discussions, the Council established the essentials of world language learning.

World Language Standards Writing Team

The writing team will begin to meet in late October. In a series of meetings, the team will be tasked with creating indicators at specific proficiency levels. As decided by the Council, the revised standards will use the proficiency levels established by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages: Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, Superior, and Distinguished. The writing team is still in the process of formation.

World Language Standards Focus Teams

Several areas require focused work groups. These areas include, but may not be limited to dual language immersion, heritage speakers, classical languages, critical languages, and Native American languages. These groups will be convened electronically as needed to provide input into the standards.

The Final Steps

When the indicators are completed and edited, the entire document will be reviewed and open to public commentary before going before the state Board. It is hoped that the standards will be approved in September 2019.

 

 

Thank you

While the work and this list are not complete, there are many who have contributed in one way or another to the making of the standards. In a year, this list will be significantly longer. For now, thank you to:

 

 

Brett Avila, Sidney Public Schools

Amber Beltrand, Schuyler Public Schools

Theresa Catalano, University of Nebraska Lincoln

Katy Cattlett, Omaha Public Schools

Jan Coone, ESU 16, retired

Alicia Dallman Shoemaker, Elkhorn Public Schools

Brooke  David, NDE

Jonathan Dettman, University of Nebraska Kearney

Steven Duke, University of Nebraska

Chad Dumas, Hastings Public Schools

Janet Eckerson, Lincoln Public Schools

Cory Epler, NDE

Mary Lea Free, Norris Public Schools

Rebecca Gill-Rose, Palmyra Public Schools

Shanna Hellerich, Shelton Public Schools

Chris Heselton, University of Nebraska Confucius Institute

Kristen Hetrick, Doane University

Jami Holbein Swanson, Lincoln Public Schools

Jamie Honke, Ralston Public Schools

Nila Jacobson, Lincoln Public Schools, retired

Jesús Jurado Mendoza, Embassy of Spain, Ministry of Education

Becky Keilig, NDE

Faye Kilday, Northeast Community College

Candida Kraska, Millard Public Schools

Amanda Levos, Grand Island Public Schools

Jared List, Doane University

Amy Mancini-Marshall, Grand Island Public Schools

Naomi Mardock Uman, Metropolitan Community College

Liz Martinez, Elm Creek Public Schools

Ali Moeller, University of Nebraska Lincoln

Rita Ricaurte, Nebraska Wesleyan University

Mytzy Rodriguez-Kufner, Wayne State College

Brenda Romero, University of Nebraska Lincoln

Brenda Schiermeyer, Fremont Public Schools

Cathy Scurlock, Omaha Public Schools

Patty Simpson, University of Nebraska Lincoln

Yasuko Taoka, Wayne State College

Martha Thompson, Norfolk Public Schools

Marie Trayer, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Retired

Janine Theiler, Lincoln Public Schools

Angie Wagoner, Crete Public Schools

Michelle Warren, University of Nebraska Kearney

Nick Ziegler, ESU 5