A MESSAGE FROM AVANT’S CEO, DAVID BONG

As the rains fade and the sun returns to Oregon, we have lots of exciting news to share with you this May.
 
I am thrilled to announce that the 2017 Foreign Language Supervisor of the Year, Dawn Samples, will join Avant on July 1. We have long admired the work that Dawn has done to build one of the most effective proficiency-based world language programs in the country.
 
Dawn will take on a new role at Avant as the Director of Professional Development. Her task will be to build a full-service practice to support Professional Learning needs in the field. In addition to Avant’s traditional services of analyzing STAMP data and working with organizations to interpret the data, Dawn will bring years of experience in creating comprehensive proficiency-based programs to provide a range of Professional Development and Professional Learning options that help districts improve student outcomes. Dawn brings together the power of data to inform instruction, and the creative best practices in curriculum to assist any organization that seeks to constantly improve their programs. We are excited to offer this new addition and resource to Avant core services. 
 
We are doubly pleased to be able to announce that Dawn’s husband, Benjamin will join Avant as our Manager of IT. Benjamin brings years of experience working with IT systems in schools and colleges that will strengthen our entire company. Dawn, Benjamin, and their family will move to Eugene and work at Avant’s headquarters.
 
This has been our busiest spring testing season ever. Thanks to our wonderful team of raters led by Maury Ennis we have been able to keep our turn-around times within 5 to 7 business days and maintain the consistent and accurate scoring that is so important.
 
Avant is proud of its long-standing partnership with the Anchorage School District and our support of ASD’s Yup’ik immersion program. In February, Avant and the Anchorage SD partnered with Linguacious to develop a 4-skill, Yup’ik flashcard game to promote the program among the Yup’ik community. This winter, Avant, in partnership with the Anchorage School District, will be launching a STAMP 4Se assessment in Yup’ik to support the assessment needs of elementary students in Yup’ik immersion programs in Anchorage and elsewhere. You can read more about these two projects in the May issue of Language Magazine.
 
Finally, we would like to highlight a story about Sandra Martins, the Dean of Liberal Arts who leads an outstanding language program at the College of DuPage, a community college in Illinois. This program is a great example of how effective language assessment can drive improvement in proficiency outcomes at any level.