Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) 1 STARTALK Certification Summit December 2009 Innovations in World Language Teacher Certification in Washington State Michele Anciaux Aoki, Ph.D. World Languages Program Supervisor Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) 2 Innovations in Washington Alternative Route Certification for World Languages New Endorsement Competencies defined for World Languages New State Tests for prospective World Language teachers Visiting Teachers from Abroad

Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) 3 Alternative Route Certification Provide performance-based alternative routes aimed at recruiting candidates to teaching in statewide subject matter/geographic shortage areas Working professional with a baccalaureate and subject matter expertise in a shortage area Summer plus 1 year mentored internship

Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) 4 Alternative Route Certification for World Languages STARTALK has funded cohorts of Chinese teachers to complete Alternative Route Certification through Pacific Lutheran University Foreign Language Methods course taught through University of Washington Extension in the spring Teachers participate in practicum by teaching in summer language camps

Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) 5 New Endorsement Competencies for WL (2007) 1.Child and Adolescent Development, Individuality and Diversity 2.Language and Culture 3.Language Acquisition/Teaching 4.Learning Environment 5.Assessment 6.Language Competency/Proficiencies 7.Professional Development

Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) 6 WEST-E for World Languages Washington Educator Skills Test – Endorsement (WEST-E) for WL –General test for ALL prospective World Language teachers –Based on knowledge areas from World Language Competencies adopted in 2007 –Similar to WEST-E for Bilingual Ed –Developed by Pearson Publishing (with Washington language teachers) –Required beginning January, 2010

Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) 7 ACTFL Tests of Proficiency American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Assessments –OPI – Oral Proficiency Interview (or OPIc – OPI computer-based) –WPT – Writing Proficiency Test –New minimum proficiency level: Advanced Low –Appropriate to complete these assessments before entering teacher education program

Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) 8 Why Important WA used Praxis II tests for commonly taught languages (e.g., Spanish, French) and ACTFL OPI for others (at Intermediate High) No test of knowledge of language acquisition, standards, assessment, etc. Original plan had been to develop 9 WEST-E tests for “Designated World Languages” –Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Latin, Swedish, Norwegian –Would exclude languages like Arabic, Hindi

Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) 9 Visiting Teachers from Abroad Memoranda of Understanding –Mexico –Spain –OSPI facilitates J-1 visas College Board/NCSSFL/Hanban –China –District contracts with College Board –Currently 4 visiting teachers in Seattle

Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) 10 For More Information Michele Anciaux Aoki, Ph.D. (360)