Connect and Inspire through

Cultural Heritage

Jion Liou Yen, Ph.D.National Council of Associations of

Chinese Language Schools   

Parent-run weekend schools Preserve Chinese language and culture Close tie with Chinese community Operate independently of the public school

system Grassroots efforts in promoting Chinese

language teaching and learning within and beyond local communities

Established in 1994 Four officers 15 regional associations

Association of Chinese Schools (New England to Virginia) Houston Chinese Schools Association Association of Chinese Schools in Southeastern United States (Georgia and Alabama) Association of Northern California Chinese Schools Colorado Association of Chinese Language Schools Dallas Fort Worth Chinese School Association Midwest Chinese Language Schools Association

(Illinois, Ohio, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Iowa) Michigan Chinese Teachers Association Northwestern Association of Chinese Language Schools

(Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, Wyoming, and Montana) Southern California Council of Chinese Schools Midwest West Region Chinese Language School Association (Kansas) Hawaii Chinese School Association Florida Chinese School Association Washington Metropolitan Area Chinese School Association Association of New Jersey Chinese Schools

Our membership has declined more than 30% over

a 7-year span*

A total of 428 teachers have attained their

certification since 2005

2003 2009 Change (%)Schools 592 401 -32%Teachers 8,353 5,354 -36%Certified Teaches Unknown 428Students 106,855 70,559 -34%* Lu, H.M. (2010). A Proposed Model for Chinese Heritage Schools

Connect and inspire the Chinese heritage school community to increase the value of services to our members and communities

Serve as a liaison organization to advocate and facilitate dialogue on the needs of Chinese schools

Provide a forum for information exchange and resource sharing among our member associations

Leverage our collective resources to showcase our high tech and ‘high-touch’ ideas in teaching Chinese language and culture

Embark on activities to support the teaching and learning of Chinese language and culture in the U.S.

Inspire heritage schools’ teachers to attain certification and to enhance the quality of teachingAdopt top-notch technology in

teachers’ training workshopsRatchet up the rigor of teachers’

training programs

Inspire students to learn Chinese to adapt to globalization Startalk-funded programsDistrict-funded language and

culture projectAssociation-sponsored Chinese

summer immersion camps

Inspire Chinese schools to reinvent their teaching methods and to promote service learning

Connect Chinese heritage schools and local communities through Chinese New Year programsKite FlyingTalent and kung-fu showsConfucius Birthday Ceremonies

Inspire regional Chinese language

associations to stay connected and become change agents in local Chinese language development

Engage in fundraising to sponsor professional development and students activities

Leverage our capacity to support our member schools in aligning their curriculum with Chinese language teaching in today’s classrooms

Embark on initiatives to broaden the scope of information and resource sharing with mainstream school systems

Initiate a joint effort with community and professional organizations to advocate Chinese language and culture programs in local schools

Enhance current support system to facilitate teacher efforts in state certificate attainment and professional development

Lack of leadership continuity and professional expertise plagues the long-term vision and goals for NCACLS

Lack professional staff to help NCACLS Board of Directors oversee the implementation of priorities/activities

Lack of a national infrastructure to effectively collect and disseminate information to foster articulation at all levels and sectors

Insufficient/unstable funding to support initiatives aim to strengthen quality teaching and learning in Chinese schools

Connect and Inspire through

Cultural Heritage

Q & A

http://www.ncalcs.org