Seal of Biliteracy and a standardized test for Polish language

Transcription

1 Seal of Biliteracy and a standardized test for Polish language Prepared by Marzanna Owinski The Polish Mission of the Orchard Lake Schools Polish-American Art and Cultural Research Foundation 3535 Commerce Rd. Orchard Lake, Michigan (248) office mowinski@stmarysprep.com 1

2 Executive Summary Goals for the Seal of Biliteracy: To achieve a national certification of Polish language by American high school students. To encourage and reward at least 30,000 current Polish language students. 1E

3 Executive Summary How: By using a nationally recognized literacy test developed by Avant (Avant- a nationally recognized language test development organization) The total proposed price from Avant is $30,000 to develop the exam with the commitment of purchase of 500 copies by Polish community at $25 per test in first year. We are trying to negotiate a better price. 2E

4 Executive Summary Result: Students receive the Seal of Biliteracy on their high school record for Polish as a foreign language. Multiple benefits for the award recipients from employers and universities (college credits). By the recognition of Polish language with the Seal of Biliteracy, Polonia earns a stronger status as an ethnic group in the American education and business fields. 3E

5 What is Seal of Biliteracy? 4

6 Seal of Biliteracy The national Seal of Biliteracy is an award given by a school, school district, or county office of education in recognition of students who have attained proficiency in English and at least one other language by the time of high school graduation. The national Seal of Biliteracy encourages students to pursue multilingualism, honors the skills they attain, and can be evidence of qualifications that are attractive to future employers and college admissions offices. The Seal of Biliteracy includes all languages. 5

7 Reasons for implementing the Seal of Biliteracy program: To encourage students to study languages and cultures To certify attainment of biliteracy skills To recognize the value of language diversity To provide employers with a method of identifying people with language and biliteracy skills To provide universities with a method to recognize and give college credit to applicants for attainment of high level skills in languages To prepare students with 21st century skills that will benefit them in the labor market and the global society For the Polish community, the Seal of Biliteracy is particularly important, because it is nationally recognizable program. 6

8 For a map of US participating states go to: The map shows states that already have and are working toward its implementation or consider the Seal program. 7

9 States with approved Seal of Biliteracy: Washington California Nevada Utah New Mexico Texas Louisiana Minnesota Wisconsin New York New Jersey Virginia North Carolina Florida Hawaii Washington D.C. Ohio Illinois Indiana Kansas Georgia Rhode Island Maryland Georgia 8

10 States that are working to implement the Seal program: Iowa Colorado Massachusetts (piloting) Delaware 9

11 States exploring the Seal program: Alaska Michigan Arkansas Tennessee Connecticut Pensylvania New Hampshire Missuri Arkansas Alabama Kentucky 10

12 Development of a nationally recognized computer language test for Polish 11

13 Why we need a new test for Polish language? We already have two high quality tests in United States. One prepared by M. Curie-Sklodowska University in Lublin, used in Chicago Public Schools, not recognizable by Illinois Department of Education Another one is prepared by Columbia University, Departament of Polish language, used for LOTE exam. Unfortunately it is not accepted by all high schools. We need a test that is nationally recognizable, prepared by American language assessment institution and used by high schools and other educational institutions

14 These are the four major tests for language assessment: Advanced Placement Exam (AP) International Baccalaureate Exam (IB) AAPPL developed by ACTFL/LTI STAMP4S developed by AVANT All languages have to comply to be developed by nationally recognized institution. TEST for POLISH DOES NOT EXIST yet, but can be developed only in the one of last two exam forms (but it exists in 12 other languages)

15 Who should develop a test for Polish language? AAPPL by LTI (ACTFL): About 20 people need to be trained to become raters, and who must be familiar with with the World Readiness Standards, the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines, and the ACTFL Performance Descriptors for Language Learners. Who should develop the Polish test? Community involved with preparation: Review and translation 20 or so hours, Review of translation 5 hours, Production assistance 10 hours, Production review 5 hours, $25,000-$30,000 to develop the test STAMP4S by AVANT: They prepare the assessment test for us The test will be checked by computer $30,000 to develop the test, min. 500 tests, $25 for a test, needed to be purchased in first year. The students incur the cost of individual tests

16 States that use these tests for the Seal of Biliteracy (confirmed) AAPPL prepared by LTI (ACTFL): Minnesota, Wisconsin, New York, Washington, Oregon, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Illinois, Ohio, Georgia, Florida, Nevada, New Jersey, California STAMP4S prepared by AVANT: Minnesota, New York, Washington, Oregon, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Illinois, Ohio, Georgia, Florida, Nevada, New Jersey, California 15

17 All of these languages EXCEPT POLISH already have tests prepared by ACTFL or AVANT: French German Hebrew Italian Portuguese Russian Spanish Arabic Hindu Japanese Mandarin (Simplified and traditional) 17 16

18 Test purchase commitment during the first year of its release Polish community needs to commit to the purchase of minimum 500 tests first year of its release at $25 per test. 17

19 Who will benefit from the Polish test and Seal of Biliteracy? Currently there are approx. 30,000 students in Polish language schools. Many of others learn Polish at home. All of the above could take this test at the end of their high school education and have Polish as a foreign language recognized. In many approved states they will receive college credits. Availability of the test for Polish language at American high schools will increase interest of students in Polish language schools. 18

20 The current status of developing the Seal of Biliteracy in Michigan October Polish Mission initiated conversations with the MI Department of Education about the Seal of Biliteracy, presentation to DE on the Polish community in Michigan and Polish-American business and political relations and request to implement the seal. December A meeting at MI DE regarding the seal with members of Michigan language organization (MIWLA) and representatives of other languages, Polish Mission -a member of the seal committee. Marzanna Owinski became a member of MILWA that allows for exchange of information with its board on the topic Meetings with World Language Advisor at Oakland Schools regarding the process of implementation of the seal Proposition of St. Mary s Preparatory to be a pilot school for the program 19