Specific
recommendations for revision:
1) Revise the content of the IQ class. Make it focus on
techniques that work specifically for NCRC. De-emphasize teaching techniques
we seldom use (i.e., facilitation) and enhance emphasis on planning mock
rescues, field site selection, etc. Remove the emphasis on writing a lesson
plan and focus instead on learning the NCRC curriculum.
Mirza
moves, Evans seconds to accept this recommendation – approved unanimously
2)
Implement a more useful process of evaluation at each Level. Revise
checklists to allow rating of the level of skill evidenced by students,
rather than just pass/fail. Retain this information in the student's NCRC
file.
Ashburn
moves, White seconds to accept this recommendation – approved unanimously.
3) Have Lead Instructors for each level watch for and note
potential instructor candidates, and document potential in student files.
Mosberg
moves, White seconds to accept this recommendation – Rodgers, Mercado and
Evans abstain, rest approve, motion passed .
4) Change the way IQ students are accepted. Make it an
application process. Students must complete Levels 1, 2 and 3; submit an
application with a resume (including information on certifications, other
classed completed, caving experience, rescue experience, medical
qualifications, etc.); and submit a letter of support from a regional
coordinator (preferably from their own region). The Education Board will
review applications, consider information in the student's files (including
skills evaluations), and identify the top applicants for entry into the IQ
program. Only those applicants with something significant to bring to the
NCRC would be accepted.
Mirza
moves, White seconds to accept this recommendation – Bowers opposes, Ohms
abstains, rest approves; motion passes
5) Change the way the IQ class is advertised. Remove it from
standard seminar brochures. Post the application process on the website.
Avoid creating the impression that IQ is a "forth Level" in our
curriculum
Mosberg
moves, Mirza seconds to approve as written – passed unanimously.
6) Retain the testing (written and skills) applied to the IQ
students this past year. Set specific levels of achievement, set
expectations high, and ensure all graduates of the IQ program have sound
knowledge of NCRC curriculum and policies and excellent skills. Allow for
specialization in specific skills areas, so that we're not unrealistically
expecting all instructors to be able to do everything
No
action was taken on this recommendation
[Interpretive note: this
means that written and skills tests will remain in place for IQ students,
but that no action was taken to create a system to track specialization.
This may be pursued in the future, but the BORC agreed this was too much to
bight off at this time.]
7) Have graduates of IQ apprentice teach for a maximum of
three years, under an experienced instructor prior to becoming being granted
full instructor status. Once they have received favorable evaluations from
at least two experienced instructors (as assigned by the training officer),
the candidate can be reviewed by the Ed Board for certification as an NCRC
instructor.
White
moves, Comer seconds to accept this recommendation – Mercado opposes,
Mirza, Evans and Ohms abstain, rest approve; motion passes.
8) Implement a new instructor recertification process. Make
it a true 3-year cycle. Include a written test over NCRC curriculum and
policies (similar to what IQ students take). Have the certification period
extend three years from the date the test is completed (with a bit of leeway
to extend that period until the next recertification opportunity occurs).
Require that instructors teach at a Level 1 or higher event at least once
during the 3 years prior to testing. Hold instructors individually
responsible for ensuring that they meet recertification requirements. Offer
annual curriculum updates and testing opportunities at national seminars.
Offer regional updates and testing opportunities at the request of regions
(depending on availability of evaluators). Authorize the Training
Coordinator, in collaboration with the Education Board, to identify a group
of experienced instructors with sound knowledge of NCRC curriculum to serve
as instructor-trainers and evaluators.
Mirza
moves, Mosberg seconds to accept this recommendation – Ohms opposes, Evans
abstains, rest approve; motion passes.
9) Implement a course evaluation program. Authorize the
Training Coordinator to assign evaluators to seminars (and levels within
seminars at the national if needed) to: interface with the event's lead
instructor, provide constructive feedback and mentoring to instructors, help
the NCRC ensure its curriculum is being properly implemented and that the
event is well-organized. Develop a specific evaluation process and forms to
ensure evaluators are consistent across programs. Require an evaluator to
contact the Training Coordinator or his/her designee to determine a course
of action if an event is not following NCRC curriculum.
Comer
moves, Mirza seconds to accept this recommendation – passed unanimously.
10) Change the policy for lapsed instructors. A lapsed
instructor may apply to renew their instructor status.
If they apply within one year, they must take and pass the IQ exit
test. If they apply after one
year, they must apply for the IQ class following the same process as new
candidates, be accepted, complete the class and pass the test. Their
apprentice-teaching requirement could be waived at the Ed Board's
discretion.
Ashburn
moves, White seconds to accept this recommendation – Mercado, Evans and
Ohms abstain, rest approve; motion passes.
11) Change the policy on instructor participation at national
seminars. Authorize the Training Coordinator to recruit experienced
instructors for lead teaching and evaluation roles well in advance of the
seminar. Ensure these instructors will have their meal-plans and on-site
lodging covered. Authorize the Training Coordinator to recruit additional
instructors (beyond the core group) sufficient to maintain a 1:5
instructor:student ratio. Allow seminar hosts to budget for this level of
instructor participation. Encourage other instructors to attend, but remove
the requirement that their meals and lodging be subsidized. Use this as an
opportunity for instructors to build skills, recertify, etc., but require
that they respect the Training Coordinator's teaching assignments.
Comer
moves, Mirza seconds to accept this recommendation – Ohms abstains, rest
approved; motion passes.