The document discusses the Education Standards Panel (ESP) which oversees national boating education standards in the US. The ESP aims to: 1) Review and update the standards through a consensus-based process involving stakeholders from different interest categories. 2) Simplify the standards based on risk analysis and accident data to increase consistency and recognition of boating education. 3) Work towards certification of the standards process by the American National Standards Institute to further harmonization.

1. Education Standards Panel Update 2012 BLA Workshop Jeff Johnson, ESP Chair Pamela Dillon, Education Director February 29, 2012

2. 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.

3. As of Sept 2011

4. Persons Successfully Completing NASBLA Approved Courses 2006-2010 2006 2010 2008

5. Heighten level of national agreement and consistency in boating education program content and delivery for the nation’s boaters . To advance Boating Safety Education…

6. 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

7. 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

8. Openness Lack of dominance Balance Coordination and harmonization Notification of standards development Standards Development Process ANSI’s Ten Essential Requirements

9. Consideration of views & objections Consensus vote Appeals (procedural) Written procedures Compliance Standards Development Process ANSI’s Ten Essential Requirements

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 5 Interest Categories Interest Category Definition/Example Commercial 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.

14. Interest Category - Commercial Cindy Kalkomey Kerry Moher Interest Category Definition/Example Commercial 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.

15. Interest Category - NGO Chris Edmonston Terry Leitz Joe Gatfield Interest Category Definition/Example Non-Governmental Organization Non-profit organizations offering boating safety courses or having an interest in boating and water safety.

16. Interest Category - Federal Robin Freeman John Malatak Interest Category Definition/Example Federal Boating Agency U.S. Coast Guard, international government agency, etc.

17. Interest Category - State Jeff Johnson, Chair MariAnn Koloszar Ed Huntsman Mike Gladhart Betsy Woods Interest Category Definition/Example State Boating Agency (5 seats) Members of the state boating agencies

18. Interest Category - Public Bob Sweet Joseph Connolly Lynn Lynch Interest Category Definition/Example Public Boaters, researchers, boating writers or others that have an interest in boating and water safety.

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. Upon Panel approval, proposed Standards move to ‘ consensus ballot ’ stage, with recorded votes and efforts to resolve all negative comments Then on to ‘ public review draft ’ stage, with publicized comment period and efforts to resolve comments received Standards Development – Procedures

23. Instructions for submission , availability of the document containing the most currently approved standards will be announced in suitable media outlets. Submissions encouraged from panel members, NASBLA members, non-members alike. Standards Development – First Cycle

24. 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……

25. Questions?