Using Needs Assessment to Align Learning and Assessment with the Capability Needed to Perform a Specific Mission

This presentation, which was delivered to the Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) Testing Committee on 21 MAR 2014, described how a rigorous needs assessment process can provide a foundation for developing mission-focused, capability-based language curricula and assessments. The purpose of a training needs assessment is to guide the design of activities to close gaps in underlying knowledge, skills, abilities or competencies related to performance deficiencies. The presenter used models of performance (i.e., Borman, 1991; Campbell, 1999) and theories of human behavior to demonstrate that performance is determined by individual and environmental factors. The presenter described how conducting a needs assessment that fits the purpose and context, can produce information at the level of detailed needed to construct language curricula and assessments. Presented to the Interagency Language Roundtable Testing Committee, National Foreign Language Center, College Park, MD, Mar 2014.