Program Evaluations: What They Are and What They Aren’t

CARLA-ACTFL WEBINAR:
Evaluation is critical to understanding the outcomes of language programs. In conducting evaluation, it is important to take a comprehensive approach that considers the needs of learners and teachers, the requirements and capacities of administrators, parents and other stakeholders, the values of the discipline and the contributions of the program to society, locally, nationally and internationally. However, many instructors mistake evaluations as opportunities to eliminate programs or evaluate the performances of individual instructors. Join us as we provide an overview of why program evaluations are crucial to the longevity and success of language programs, and combat myths of what they are NOT.
This webinar is part of the joint CARLA-ACTFL initiative on Practical Program Evaluation. (carla.umn.edu/...)
The presenters will serve as instructors for the CARLA Summer Institute Practical Program Evaluation for Instructors of Less Commonly Taught Languages. (carla.umn.edu/...)
Presenters:
Margaret Malone is Director of Assessment and Research at ACTFL, and co-leader of Practical Program Evaluation. She is the former Director of the AELRC and has over 30 years of experience in language education. Dr. Malone is well-versed in program evaluation, survey research, materials development, language test development, and professional development delivered through online and face-to-face platforms.
Celia Chomón Zamora is Director for Professional Learning and Certification at ACTFL and co-leader of Practical Program Evaluation. Dr. Zamora has over 15 years of experience as a K-12 language teacher and administrator, an instructor and administrator of postsecondary language courses, and a researcher of heritage language instruction.