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?