A Brief Introduction to Language Program Evaluation: Facts, Myths, and Resources
ACTFL-CARLA WEBINAR: Program evaluation can provide insight into how to maintain, improve, and protect language programs. When undertaking program evaluation, it’s essential to consider the purpose of the program, the motivation for evaluation, and how these will be reconciled in sharing results and planning for change. Moreover, program evaluations can be developed and conducted by external or internal reviewers or a combination of both. At the same time, many administrators and instructors do not understand the nature of program evaluation and how to effectively implement it. This webinar provides a quick overview of how to use program evaluation to explore what works within a program, improve aspects that need support, and demonstrate the value of language programs.
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.
This webinar is part of the joint CARLA-ACTFL Practical Program Evaluation initiative. The presenters will serve as instructors for the 2024 CARLA Summer Institute Introduction to Practical Program Evaluation for Heritage Language Programs.