Webinar – Planning for and Implementing Effective World Language Program Evaluation

Language program evaluation is the process of collecting and analyzing information to understand a program and make decisions about it. Whether driven by internal goals such as assessing program efficacy, or mandated externally for purposes such as accreditation, evaluation can help programs identify areas of growth and improvement. However, program evaluation can also be challenging to execute, and stakeholders may feel wary of the process or outcomes. Effective program evaluation involves careful planning and communication at each phase. 

This session gives an overview of principles of language program evaluation, including steps for planning, implementation, and reporting results. We focus on including key stakeholders throughout the evaluation to ensure their perspectives are addressed. Through program evaluation scenarios and practical examples, including from the US K-12 context, we will discuss how programs can maximize the credibility and usefulness of evaluation results. Finally, we will discuss methods for qualitative and quantitative data collection, including focus groups, surveys, and interviews, and share free resources for additional learning. The session will support world language educators in conducting program evaluation as part of a cycle of evidence-based decision-making and program improvement.

Bios:

Meg Montee (PhD) is the Director of the Assessment and Evaluation Language Resource Center (AELRC) and an Associate Research Professor in the Department of Linguistics at Georgetown University. Her research areas include language testing, language program evaluation, and language teacher education. Dr. Montee also leads projects to understand the impact of educational policy on language programs, and investigate how to improve articulation across elementary, middle, and high school levels. Through her work, Dr. Montee is committed to working with language educators to create and implement high-quality assessments and evaluation tools that make a positive impact on language teaching and learning.

Francesca Di Silvio (M.A. Linguistics, Independent Consultant) is a researcher focused on language assessment design and training for educational stakeholders. In 10 years of work with the Center for Applied Linguistics, most recently as Director of World Languages, she led a variety of test development projects, mixed-methods research studies, and professional development workshops and online courses for K-12 and post-secondary educators. As an independent consultant, Ms. Di Silvio has conducted studies of world language learning outcomes, contributed to item development, review, and piloting for the AAPPL assessment, and developed a self-paced online foundational medical Spanish course. She currently works with the Assessment & Evaluation Language Resource Center at Georgetown University in an advisory capacity.