Measuring Outcomes and Setting Standards:

This paper presents an overview of a plenary panel entitled "Measuring Outcomes and Setting Standards in Languages Education. " "Outcomes" implies what learners take away from their course, while the term "standards" seems commonly to have at least two senses: first it may imply some yardstick or framework against which learner performance, the content of tests and examinations, or the goals of the courses may be measured; second, it implies a "framework of reference. " This brief introduction to the panel discussion introduces some of the broad issues touching on such topics as quality and standards in language education, setting goals and objectives, course-based versus general proficiency outcomes, assessing cultural goals and cross cultural attitudes, teacher quality and supply, relevance of vocational language competencies, and exit assessment and reporting. This paper seeks to raise some of the general issues that may be elaborated upon by other panelists and in subsequent discussion. (Contains 10 references.) (KFT) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. [Journal Version