What do you think of when you hear IPA's?  I had the pleasure of writing a session for the Maryland College and Career Readiness Academy.  World Languages was able to be included and the session I designed was around Integrated Performance Assessments! The presentation is below and I have added the examples of activities in which participants engaged.

Step 1:  Always do welcomes, introductions, and celebrations!  Love this to build community and relationships!

Step 2: Activating prior knowledge of IPA's through a Padlet room!

Step 3: Why IPA's and a definition via CARLA

Step 4: Connections that are made to World Readiness Standards, Can Do's, Common Core and Instructional Shifts through articles via ACTFL Language Educator.  There were two examples based on readiness level.

Step 5:  Look at the cyclical approach to IPA's as stated by Paul Sandrock and ACTFL.

Step 6:  Review modes of communication and sort activities_ by the different modes.

Step 7:  Watch a short video clip of assessment in action with a processing guide.

Step 8:  Look at examples of different IPA's

Step 9:  Explore resources to develop IPA's like authentic text, ACTFL rubrics, ACTFL planning templates, etc.

Step 10:  Time to create, develop, and reflect!

A lot of planning does need to go into the development of IPA's!  Think about the following:

1.  What is your targeted proficiency?
2.  What will students do with the language within each mode of communication?
3.  How will you provide feedback to students before they move onto the next task?
4.  What tools will you use to assess learning and meaning?
5.  Which AP Global theme can be aligned to topic?
6.  What Can Do indicators will students be able to reach?
7.  Which authentic materials will be used?
8.  How will students decode text and comprehend?

Here are some examples of IPA's:

1.  Toni Theisen
2.  CARLA

Purchase your own copy of the book Integrating Performance Assessments via ACTFL!  It is a great read and has wonderful resources!

When you think of Advanced Placement courses in World Languages, what comes to mind?  Perhaps you think of some buzz words like rigor, scores, stress, etc!  Well, in this post, you will find resources in helping to get students to the advanced proficiency range in a way that will touch all modes of communication!  This post will also help students in beginning courses by giving examples of resources that will help pave the way for advanced level courses.

First,  what are the goals of AP:

1. Develop proficiency in the Advanced Low-Mid range in each of the three modes of communication.  By this we mean students are expected to:

• Engage in spoken interpersonal communication
• Engage in written interpersonal communication
• Synthesize information from a variety of authentic audio, visual, and audiovisual resources
• Synthesize information from a variety of authentic written and print resources
• Plan, produce, and present spoken presentational communications and
• Plan and produce written presentational communications.

The fine balance of the course is giving students tools to develop proficiency and yet make sure that students are successful on the AP exam.  

2. The other goal of AP is to develop Global Competence!  What does this mean to you?  For me, it is about authentic texts as well as immersing our learners in new perspectives and the products and practices of other cultures.  Take a look at ACTFLs newest position statement around Global Competence!

In order to get students to develop proficiency, we must start with vertical articulation!  This is where we back map and align skills needed in advanced courses into novice courses.  A great start is by taking ACTFL Can Do Statements and aligning to different levels! Also, take a look at the data.  You will want to look at AP scores as well as enrollment in classes from beginning to advanced in order to see trends. Take a look at the resources available below in order to begin this process.   Hope this encourages courageous conversations amongst team members, administrators, and others. The College Board has a great guide book to help you get started!  Below are some other ideas!

Ever want to attend professional learning around Advanced Placement?  Here are some resources!

College Board
Pre-AP Workshops