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Walter & Group...
[GH] On Sept. 14th, Dennis Grant sent this message on MCI candidates showing proof of teaching experience before being accepted for examination :
MINUTES FOR TUESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2005
Board of Governors · Casting Instructor Certification Program
Federation of Fly Fishers
Park High School · Livingston · Montana
Tom Jindra · Chair
Phil Gay · Acting Secretary
MASTER TEST REVISIONS: BOG chair Jindra reported on behalf of committee chair Dusty Sprague. Jindra said reviewing the test standards had proven more time-consuming than anticipated and, rather than rush the project to completion, the committee was authorized to continue for another year. Assuming the review is completed before next year’s board meeting, Jindra said he will instruct Sprague to submit the report for review by the Executive Committee. Options available to the Executive Committee are: a) Exercise its authority to approve the report on behalf of the full board; b) Submit the report for email approval by the full board; or c) Hold the report for a full presentation at the board’s 2006 annual meeting.
Motion to consider a requirement for Master candidates to show proof of teaching experience before he can be accepted for examination. Jindra said he will deliver the assignment to the Master Test Study Guide Committee.
Motion by: Dennis Grant
Second: Gordy Hill
The motion was approved.
Just for the record !!
All the best, Dennis
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[GH] I believe Dusty Sprague was Chairman of the Master Testing Committee at the time. This is his reply :
Regarding the charge given to the Masters Test Study Guide Committee at the 2005 BOG meeting, cited by Dennis below:
As I recall, our committee discussed the motion and concluded that the teaching experience cited by the candidates would have to be reviewed by someone knowledgeable about teaching and a judgement have to be made regarding it meeting some minimum set of requirements, judging its adequacy. Some one or standing committee would have to be responsible for the review - too much for CICP Coordinator and not within his or her skill set to make this judgement. Essentially, I think we concluded the idea was impractical to implement, as I recall. I believe Bruce was on the committee at the time; maybe he will remember more clearly.
Dusty
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[GH] This indicates that the Master Testing Committee did discuss the motion and came to the conclusion that setting this in place as a verifiable requirement would be impractical at that time (2005).
Most examiners, as far as I know, do ask the MCI candidate, about his/her teaching experience, but that is generally done early in the examination. NOT, however, as a formal requirement.
We have found, however, that in the event the candidate has not had real teaching experience, that it becomes obvious as the exam proceeds. Such candidates are not likely to pass.
That leads to another issue: The number of MCI candidates who are woefully unprepared in many ways including the lack of teaching experience.
Of course, this results in many hours spent by dedicated examining teams who end up oft times being just as disappointed in the exam results as the candidates.
The problem is only partially mitigated by many of these unsuccessful exams being turned into coaching / teaching sessions.
Mentoring and active participation in study groups alone with instructor courses given by Masters and voluntary practice exams would go a long way to solving this problem were it not for the fact that these unprepared candidates have not availed themselves of these opportunities.
For that reason, some of us have been discussing practical ways to communicate with each candidate who applies to the FFF Office for admission to the Master Testing list. I'm certain that we'll settle on a good way to do this without placing an undue or inappropriate burden on our FFF Office staff.
Bottom line:
We may not be able to implement a practical system which yields proof of teaching experience despite the obvious value in doing so.
I think this problem can be solved by having a mechanism by which we can be certain that our candidates have each been informed in no uncertain terms of the breadth and scope of these exams and our firm recommendations, though not binding, as to what we feel are reasonable requirements for preparation.
I, also, feel that the same thing applies to our CCI candidates.
Gordy
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[GH] This is an example of the sort of dedication we have among our BOG and BOG members. An excerpt from a message from Carl Zarelli (FFF Board of Directors) to Bruce Richards (Chair, Casting Board of Governors.) :-
"Bruce if you need some help on a test prep committee let me know . I will find the time to help out .....
Carl Z "
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[GH] From Mike Heritage :
Interesting discussion. The fact is that the CCI test is built around instructing ability. I think it is vital that prospective instructors get as much practice actually instructing as possible. I was completely open with my guinea pigs. I did not charge them and told them they were helping me more than I was probably helping them. I still don't charge those that were brave enough to help me out. I have been lucky enough to help, and am helping, people who want to become instructors ( my preparation for my MCI) and I always insist they do some practical instruction. The test would be extremely difficult to pass without actual instructing experience. The theory of instructing is vastly different from real hands on instructing.
Mike
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[GH] This just in from Jim Gill :
Gordy, This is a fascinating debate and one that is near to my heart. I have taken the liberty to forward some emails to Sally Pizii - who is a lead educator with the UK Angling Development Board on UK angling coaching qualifications. I work for the ADB from time to time under Sally's management. We are both members of the Game Angling Instructors Association (GAIA) and we had the pleasure of Dusty at our AGM in 2008. I think Sally may respond - and as she is a retired school teacher she has better qualifications than me to add our bit to the debate.
Best wishes, Jim.
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