Applying for a STARTALK Grant: Designing a Winning Proposal November 22, 2009

Overview of the Workshop Introduction to STARTALK Describe STARTALK process and cycle Focus on the planning process Discuss how to design an effective STARTALK/world language program Share lessons learned from previous STARTALK programs

Expected Outcomes— I will understand: the STARTALK program and its requirements the conceptual planning process the essential characteristics of an effective STARTALK/world language program

Introductions Participants STARTALK Central Staff

What is STARTALK? National Security Language Initiative Critical Languages: Arabic, Chinese, Dari, Hindi, Persian, Russian, Swahili, Turkish, Urdu Commitment: 5-year contract through 2013 Impact in 2007, 2008, and 2009

STUDENT Programs Students are highly motivated, self- selected language learners 77% plan to continue study of the STARTALK language 96% believe that learning another language will help them better understand people who are different from them

Teacher Programs 19% list English as their native language; 9% were born in the US 86% are female 48% have a master’s degree 73% are currently teaching the STARTALK language 20% certified to teach the language; 54% plan to become certified

Combination and Collaborative Programs Teacher trainers conduct mini lessons under the mentorship of lead teacher Students benefit from small group activities Teachers reflect daily on their classroom experiences

2009 STARTALK Programs

Program Growth

2009 Enrollments

2009 STARTALK States

STARTALK 2009 Video

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STARTALK Transformation

STARTALK System

STARTALK Process & Cycle Request for Proposals (October) Proposal Review (November/December) Award Notification (January) Award Start Date (March) Orientation Conference (April) Program Curriculum Development and Approval (May-June) Program Implementation (June, July, & August) Site Visit (June, July, & August) Final Report Post-program Conference (October)

Who Can Get STARTALK Funding? Eligibility Capacity to offer a STARTALK program Languages, states, ages, levels of instruction Prior experience Evidence of participant safety and insurance

Who Can Get STARTALK Funding? Post secondary institutions State and regional educational agencies School districts Public and private schools Community organizations Language associations Corporations

Why Plan? Target participants Goals: where are we going? Outcomes: what will the participants be able to do as a result of this program? Activities and timeline: how will we get there?

Planning Process Conduct needs assessment Identify goals and outcomes Design assessment Identify specific knowledge and skills Develop activities Select personnel Develop timeline Work out a budget

Designing an Effective Program (1 of 2) START with the End in Mind Goals Rationale/Needs analysis Program Description Assessment Indicators of success/outcomes for participants

Designing an Effective Program (2 of 2) Main activities and timeline Key personnel Evaluation of program outcomes Relevant previous experience Opportunities for continued learning Lessons learned incorporated into plan

Planning Discussion

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Characteristics of an Effective Language Program (1 of 4) Alignment of Assessment, Curriculum, and Instruction Realistic and measurable outcomes Performance-based assessment Evaluation plan for participant growth and program effectiveness

Characteristics of an Effective Language Program (2 of 4) Curriculum and Instruction Standards-based and thematically organized curriculum Student-centered classrooms Developmentally appropriate instruction Use of target language for instruction Integration of culture into language instruction Use of authentic materials Differentiated Instruction

Administration (3 of 4) Administrative Resources Adequately staffed Clear roles Appropriate location Ability to attract sufficient enrollment Institutional support

Budget (4 of 4) Financial Resources Cost effectiveness Number of participants served Duration and intensity of program Quality of instruction

Lessons Learned Cynthia Ning: University of Hawaii Christy Lao: San Francisco State University

Q & A