NYS World Languages in the 21st Century Conference

The goal of the NYS World Language in the 21st Century conference was to provide teachers with instructional resources, tools, and models for updated practice on thematic, performance based curriculum and assessment design, aligned with national initiatives. Results of a 2016 survey uncovered an existing shift in practice from four skills to the three modes of communication, from checkpoints to can-do performance targets and from topics to expanded thematic planning for vertical alignment between levels, buildings and schools. At the same time, respondents expressed the need for more tools, resources, and professional development on all of the above. Full results of the survey will be presented in a future issue of the NYSAFLT Journal, written by Jennifer Eddy and Bill Heller.

As a result of that survey, the project team made a call for Articulated Performance Assessment Exemplars at regional conferences and the 2017 NYSAFLT Summer Colloquium.

This initiative aims to respond to your needs and requests as demonstrated in the initial and follow-up surveys. These tools will support in-service teachers on the preparation of performance based assessment tasks, with a goal toward bridging the gap on curriculum and assessment practices already required of new teachers for initial certification in NY.