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Brad HasskampABE Policy & Operations SpecialistMinnesota Department of Education

Connecting State Expectations to Local Volunteer Programs Start By Connecting ParticipantsIntroduce yourself to your neighbors:NameRoleProgram & OrganizationHow did you get your start in ABE and volunteer management?What questions do you have about volunteer program expectations?

Brad HasskampABE Policy & Operations SpecialistMinnesota Department of Education

Background2002Volunteer ESL TeacherNeighborhood House2002-2003EFL TeacherBibo Middle School(Shenzhen, China)2003-2006ESL/ABE/Childrens Literacy Program ManagerNeighborhood House2006-2010ABE Learning Centers ManagerMinnesota Literacy Council2007-2010Professional Development AdvisorSt. Paul Community Literacy Consortium2006-2010Board MemberLiteracy Action Network

Start By Connecting ParticipantsStarted as a volunteer?

Has less than one year experience in ABE?Who?Has less than one year experience in volunteer management?Works in greater Minnesota?Works for a school district?StateOrganizationOffice

Minnesota

What do we mean by state?ProgramOrganizationConsortiumLevels of ExpectationsStateFederalLevels of ExpectationsExpectationsPoliciesLaws

Best PracticesState ExpectationsPolicy Plays

Policy Play #1Which volunteers are required by MDE-ABE policy to receive training?

2Policy Play #1All ABE volunteers who:Directly tutor or instruct students; & Generate ABE contact hours independent from a classroom teacher.

Policy Play #2Volunteers starting before what date can be grandfathered in without pre-service training, according to MDE-ABE policy?

1Policy Play #2ABE volunteers who began volunteering prior to July 1, 2006, can be grandfathered in to your program.

Policy Play #3How long is the training volunteers receive at the beginning of their service, according to MDE-ABE policy?

1Policy Play #3The pre-service training is

hours

12Policy Play #4Do volunteer classroom assistants working under the direct supervision of a teacher need to be trained?

1Policy Play #4according to MDE-ABE policy but

Policy Play #5Do volunteers need the pre-service training if they are working with students when the teacher is not in the building?

1Policy Play #5according to MDE-ABE policy

Policy Play #6Do volunteers need the pre-service training if they are responsible for a class of students and under only minimal teacher supervision?

1Policy Play #6according to MDE-ABE policy

Policy Play #7Do volunteers need to be trained if they are taking a group of students to another room to work with them?

1Policy Play #7according to MDE-ABE policy as long as

Policy Play #8Do volunteers need to be trained if they are only doing student intakes?

1Policy Play #8according to MDE-ABE policy but

Policy Play #9Do volunteers need to be trained if they are only working with programming not receiving state or federal ABE funding?

1Policy Play #9according to MDE-ABE policy because

Policy Play #10Which 4 types of certification or experience can make an ESL volunteer exempt from the states pre-service training requirement?

4Policy Play #10ESL volunteer exemptions:TEFL/TESL CertificateCollege degree in ESL or LinguisticsCurrent Minnesota K-12 LicenseOver 400 hours of documentable ESL instruction (paid or volunteer) in comparable programs

Policy Play #11Which 3 types of certification or experience can make an ABE volunteer exempt from the states pre-service training requirement?

3Policy Play #11ABE volunteer exemptions:Current Minnesota K-12 LicenseCurrent Minnesota ABE LicenseOver 400 hours of documentable ABE instruction (paid or volunteer) in comparable programs

Policy Play discussionWhat topics are covered in your programs volunteer onsite orientation?

Policy Play discussionSuggested onsite orientation topics:Details on program procedures in testing and accountabilityRisk managementProgram policiesProgram curriculumFirst lessons

Policy Play #12What 5 topics must be covered in a pre-service volunteer training, according to MDE-ABE policy?

5Policy Play #12Required Pre-Service Topics:Initial & Ongoing AssessmentGoal Setting & Follow-UpWorking with Texts/CurriculumLesson PlanningWorking with Adults

Policy Play #13Volunteers must receive pre-service training within what time from their volunteer assignment, according to MDE-ABE policy?

1Policy Play #13Volunteers need to get trained within

months

3Policy Play #14Where can volunteers get pre-service training, according to MDE-ABE policy?

3Policy Play #14Minnesota Literacy Councils Main OfficeLocal sites that bring in MLC trainersPrograms that get their training certified by the MLC & by the MDE-ABE office

Policy Play #15Are volunteers required to receive ongoing training?

1Policy Play #15according to MDE-ABE policy

Policy Play discussionPrograms cannot count ABE contact hours for students who have not made a level gain in 30 months. Some programs use volunteers to work with these students. Is this a best practice? How would you balance an effective use of resources and using the best resources for the students that need it most?

Policy Play #16Volunteers must receive what amount of ongoing training, according to MDE-ABE policy?

1Policy Play #16Volunteers need

hours of ongoing training annually

2Policy Play #17Can school districts use unlicensed volunteers and count ABE contact hours?

1Policy Play #17according to MN State Statute and MDE-ABE policy, BUT

Policy Play #18Does the MDE-ABE office require that volunteers get an official background check?

1Policy Play #18according to MDE-ABE policy but

Policy Play Total Score

PointsCategory24Policy Wonk30Why Volunteers?Some people think it is not possible to include volunteers in their ABE program. What would you tell them?

Volunteers create more access to ABE services.Volunteers can allow programs to offer more individualized service.Volunteers bring unique expertise.Volunteers generate more public support for your program.Volunteer ABE programs can offer high quality instruction.Why Volunteers?

DiscussionShare your programs:PoliciesBest PracticesChallenges

Questions?What additional questions do you have?

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