Education Standards Panel Update

2012 BLA Workshop Jeff Johnson, ESP Chair

Pamela Dillon, Education DirectorFebruary 29, 2012

National Boating Education Standards

The standards were developed in the mid-90s as a list of minimum content items that must be included in a boating safety course. The standards serve as a guide for state, non-

profit and commercial providers to follow. NASBLA- reviews and approves courses which

meet the Standards.

As of Sept 2011

Persons Successfully Completing NASBLA Approved Courses 2006-2010

2006 20102008

Heighten level of national agreement and consistency in boating education program content and delivery for the nation’s boaters.

To advanceBoating Safety Education…

Gauge efficacy of Standards based on risk assessments, accident and participation data analyses, other research studies and scientific resources

Education Standards Panel(Authorized in 2010)

Primary Objectives

Implement a process that heightens recognition of voluntary, consensus-based standards (i.e. such as a process that conforms to American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Essential Requirements).

Education Standards Panel

Primary Objectives

Openness Lack of dominance Balance Coordination and harmonization Notification of standards

development

Standards Development Process

ANSI’s Ten Essential Requirements

Consideration of views & objections Consensus vote Appeals (procedural) Written procedures Compliance

Standards Development Process

ANSI’s Ten Essential Requirements

National Boating Education Standards Panel Rules: define Panel’s objectives, authority, organization, interest categories, and all procedures governing standards development and procedural appeals.

Education Standards Panel

Panel serves as ‘consensus body’ Panel members appointed by Board

for 3-year terms, with chance for reappointment. Term limits.

Maximum 15 members, including chairperson.

Application process open to all persons directly & materially affected by standards

Education Standards Panel – Key features

Stakeholder representation across ‘interest categories,’ with no category represented by more than 1/3 of total Panel members. State Boating Agency – maintained at 5 members.

Panel participation not conditional on NASBLA or other organizational membership

Advisory Panel – Key features

Interest Category Definition/ExampleCommercial Any person or representative from a for-profit

company or organization offering NASBLA-approved/sanctioned courses. Also covers boat and boat accessory manufacturers, insurance companies, boat dealers, marina owners, towing and salvage companies, trade association representatives, etc.

Non-Governmental Organization

Non-profit organizations offering boating safety courses or having an interest in boating and water safety.

Federal Boating Agency U.S. Coast Guard, international government agency, etc.

State Boating Agency (5 seats)

Members of the state boating agencies

Public Boaters, researchers, boating writers or others that have an interest in boating and water safety.

5 Interest Categories

Interest Category Definition/ExampleCommercial Any person or representative from a for-profit

company or organization offering NASBLA-approved/sanctioned courses. Also covers boat and boat accessory manufacturers, insurance companies, boat dealers, marina owners, towing and salvage companies, trade association representatives, etc.

Interest Category - Commercial

Cindy KalkomeyKerry Moher

Interest Category Definition/ExampleNon-Governmental Organization

Non-profit organizations offering boating safety courses or having an interest in boating and water safety.

Interest Category - NGO

Chris Edmonston

Terry Leitz

Joe Gatfield

Interest Category Definition/ExampleFederal Boating Agency U.S. Coast Guard, international government

agency, etc.

Interest Category - Federal

Robin Freeman

John Malatak

Interest Category Definition/ExampleState Boating Agency (5 seats)

Members of the state boating agencies

Interest Category - State

Jeff Johnson, Chair

MariAnn Koloszar

Ed Huntsman

Mike Gladhart

Betsy Woods

Interest Category Definition/ExamplePublic Boaters, researchers, boating writers or

others that have an interest in boating and water safety.

Interest Category - Public

Bob Sweet

Joseph Connolly

Lynn Lynch

Part V. General (1) Members shall “function

independently as individuals and not as agents or representatives of organizations with which they are or may be associated or employed when engaged in the work of the Panel.”

Conflict of Interest & Ethical Conduct

Panel continues to organize its work.

Determining ‘Scope of Standards.’ Determining ‘decision criteria’. Preparing for ‘call for proposed

revisions’ to the current (Jan 2012) Standards.

Standards Development – First Cycle

5-year cycle for Standards review Drafts of proposed Standards must

be published for review, with publicized ‘call for comments’

Panel must dispose of each comment received and communicate disposition to each commenter

Standards Development – General Procedures

We anticipate the process will simplify national boating education standards, emphasizing those based on risk analysis and accident data.

Planned/formatted to achieve ANSI certification in the future.

Moving Forward……

Questions?