printable version of page Printer-friendly page

Focus On Basics

Volume 3, Issue C ::: September 1999

BLACKBOARD



California Model Program Standards

California adopted Model Program Standards in 1992. Publications available: Model Program Standards for Adult Basic Education, 1996, $11.50. Item No 1213; and English as a Second Language: Model Standards for Adult Education Programs, 1992. $7.50. Item No. 1046. These publications are printed and sold by the California Department of Education, Publications Division, (916) 445-7608. For examples of how agencies have devised course outlines and lesson plans to address the standards, see the OTAN Web site, www.otan.dni.us

 

TESOL Adult Education Program Standards

The membership organization TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) is developing a set of adult education program standards. The standards will identify key criteria of a quality adult ESOL program, sample measurements that can be used to determine if the standard is met, and sample performance standards that indicate levels of acceptable performance. For more information, visit the TESOL web site, www.TESOL.edu, or call John Segota at TESOL, (703) 518-2513, or Gretchen Bitterlin (619) 527-5339. Gbitterl@sdccd.cc.ca.us

  

Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks

In 1995, the Massachusetts state literacy resource center (SABES) and the state Department of Education began convening tasks forces to develop a set of curriculum frameworks for adult education. The goal of the process is to develop learning or content standards that are based on learner needs and aspirations. These standards will be linked to assessment and validated. For more information, visit their web site http://www.doe.mass.edu/frameworks/ or contact Robert Foreman, (781) 388-3300, extension 315. E-mail rforeman@doe.mass.edu

 

GED Testing Service

The GED Testing Service has identified common elements in national and state standards in English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies, creating a synthesis of the standards in each discipline.  They have compiled their findings into a book, the Alignment of National and State Standards. An executive summary of the book is available; the full book is $22.99 per copy plus $5.00 shipping and handling. Contact the GED Testing Service, One Dupont Circle NW, Suite 250, Washington, DC 20036, (202) 939-9475, or consult their web site, at www.gedtest.org

 

Related Web Sites

The National Education Goals can be found at the National Education Goals Panel's web sites, http://negp.gov. This site has not been modified since December 1998.

Information about Equipped for the Future can be found at the National Institute for Literacy's web site, http://www.nifl.gov. Click on NIFL Programs & Activities. Or, call (202) 233-2025.

K-12 efforts can be found at the web site run by Achieve, Inc., a non-profit that provides advice and assistance to states on education reform. http://www.achieve.org

The web site of the Education Commission of the States has many documents on educational standards that can be downloaded. The web address is http://www.ecs.org. Enter the word "standards" into the search function; this will connect you to a publications list. Or write or call them, ECS, 707 17th Street, #2700, Denver, CO 80202, (303) 299-3600.

Updated 7/27/07 :: Copyright © 2005 NCSALL