pat thomas sw abe program manager [email protected] (507) 537-7046 adult basic education
TRANSCRIPT
ABE:Changing
in responseto the needs
of today’s workforce
ABE Learner Eligibility
Adult Basic Education provides services or instruction Adult Basic Education provides services or instruction below the postsecondary level for individuals:below the postsecondary level for individuals:
A) Who are at least 16 years oldA) Who are at least 16 years oldB) Who are not enrolled in secondary schoolB) Who are not enrolled in secondary schoolC) Who qualify under one or more of the following:C) Who qualify under one or more of the following: a. Lack mastery of basic educational skillsa. Lack mastery of basic educational skills b. Do not have a high school diploma or it’s b. Do not have a high school diploma or it’s
equivalentequivalent c. Are unable to speak, read or write the English c. Are unable to speak, read or write the English languagelanguage
Programs in ABE
GEDGED High School diplomaHigh School diploma
Reading Comprehension & FluencyReading Comprehension & Fluency CitizenshipCitizenship
Basic math and computation skillsBasic math and computation skills Basic computer skillsBasic computer skills Assessment testingAssessment testing
Family LiteracyFamily Literacy
Sample ABE Learner GoalsSample ABE Learner Goals Attain employment and/or better their current Attain employment and/or better their current
employmentemployment Achieve high school equivalency (GED or H.S. Achieve high school equivalency (GED or H.S.
Diploma)Diploma) Attain skills necessary to enter post-secondary Attain skills necessary to enter post-secondary
education and trainingeducation and training Exit public welfare and become self-sufficient;Exit public welfare and become self-sufficient; Learn to speak and write the English Language;Learn to speak and write the English Language; Master basic academic skills to help their children Master basic academic skills to help their children
succeed in schoolsucceed in school Become U.S. citizens and participate in democratic Become U.S. citizens and participate in democratic
societysociety Gain self-esteem, personal confidence and sense of Gain self-esteem, personal confidence and sense of
personal and civic responsibilitypersonal and civic responsibility
Why focus on Why focus on Workforce Education?Workforce Education?
2005 Skills Gap Report 2005 Skills Gap Report
““In addition to shortages of various types of In addition to shortages of various types of employees, manufacturers surveyed reported employees, manufacturers surveyed reported they are also dissatisfied with the skills of their they are also dissatisfied with the skills of their current current employees. Among respondents to this employees. Among respondents to this national survey, nearly half indicated their national survey, nearly half indicated their current employees have inadequate basic current employees have inadequate basic employability skills, such as employability skills, such as attendanceattendance, , timelinesstimeliness and and work ethicwork ethic while while 46%46% reported reported inadequate problem solving skills among inadequate problem solving skills among employees and employees and 36%36% indicated insufficient indicated insufficient reading, writing and communications skills.”reading, writing and communications skills.”
Full report is available at: Full report is available at: www.nam.org/2005skillsgapwww.nam.org/2005skillsgap
NEED:NEED: 40%40% Of the people in the United States lack the basic Of the people in the United States lack the basic
skills necessary to obtain or retain employmentskills necessary to obtain or retain employment 42%42% of Welfare to Work (MFIP) caseloads do not have a of Welfare to Work (MFIP) caseloads do not have a
high school degree or equivalent high school degree or equivalent (DHS TANF Report)(DHS TANF Report)
12%12% of Minnesotans over 25 years old lack a high school of Minnesotans over 25 years old lack a high school degree or its equivalency. The average high school degree or its equivalency. The average high school graduate earns $7,000 more than a high school dropout. graduate earns $7,000 more than a high school dropout. (2000 Census)(2000 Census)
Major MN employers report large costs to train and Major MN employers report large costs to train and retrain employees whose lack of basic skills or ability to retrain employees whose lack of basic skills or ability to speak English are liabilities to the profit line. speak English are liabilities to the profit line. (MN Bus. Partnership.)(MN Bus. Partnership.)
36%36% of job applicants tested by major U.S. firms in 1998 of job applicants tested by major U.S. firms in 1998 lacked the reading and math skills to do the job they lacked the reading and math skills to do the job they sought. sought. (Amer. Mgt. Assoc.)(Amer. Mgt. Assoc.)
ABE Serves ABE Serves
That over 75,000 individuals participate annually That over 75,000 individuals participate annually to upgrade their basic academic skills such as to upgrade their basic academic skills such as reading, writing, mathematics and English?reading, writing, mathematics and English?
Over 4,000 individuals are referred to ABE classes Over 4,000 individuals are referred to ABE classes each year by employers?each year by employers?
We serve adults with virtually no skills in English We serve adults with virtually no skills in English or math and have the ability to stay with them or math and have the ability to stay with them and teach them until they reach a 12and teach them until they reach a 12thth-grade -grade level?level?
We’re able to come to the workplace to offer We’re able to come to the workplace to offer short-term classes short-term classes OR OR we’re able to host classes we’re able to host classes at local ABE classrooms?at local ABE classrooms?
Did you know…
ABE Workforce Education Goals
To Provide quality workforce education training
To provide quality curriculum development To establish an appropriate array of recommended on-site assessments To develop and identify model programs and best practices To collaborate with other government/private initiatives to share information and avoid duplication of services
What can we offer to businesses?
A Workforce Education coordinator Experienced and licensed instructors Full pre-assessment of learners and site Full post-assessments of learners’ goals and
objectives Customized curriculum and training Quality English as a Second Language (ESL)
instruction Reading and writing skills Flexibility Workforce Education Program plan including
training agreement, schedules, curriculum summary and goals and objectives
Final report, written assessment of learners’ progress and future recommendations.
What does a typical Workforce What does a typical Workforce Education Program look like?Education Program look like?
There is no typical Workforce Education Program. There is no typical Workforce Education Program. Each of our programs is uniquely tailored to Each of our programs is uniquely tailored to the needs and specifications of the business.the needs and specifications of the business.
This includes identifying and teaching the basic This includes identifying and teaching the basic skills the employer wishes to reinforce in the skills the employer wishes to reinforce in the workplace. Examples include: teacher and/or workplace. Examples include: teacher and/or improving English skills, math skills for retail, improving English skills, math skills for retail, or identifying and discussing cultural or identifying and discussing cultural differences that may be interfering with differences that may be interfering with expectations and communication.expectations and communication.
How are individual business needs How are individual business needs met?met?
ABE is experienced in creating specialized ABE is experienced in creating specialized curriculumcurriculum
State-wide pool of information and experienceState-wide pool of information and experience We provide a customized curriculum that is We provide a customized curriculum that is
intensive, well-paced and benefits the intensive, well-paced and benefits the employees’ both professionally and personally.employees’ both professionally and personally.
We understand that productivity is hinged on We understand that productivity is hinged on an employee’s ability to communicate with an employee’s ability to communicate with their supervisor and co-workers effectively.their supervisor and co-workers effectively.
Are we going to steal your clients?
MN Policies Regarding Workforce Education in ABE:
Workforce Education may include any of the basic skills curricula associated with typical ABE programs (GED, Basic Skills Brush-up, ESL, Family Literacy, Civics/Citizenship), and the content level of the curricula must not extend beyond the high school level. Technical and vocational credit-based content that is normally associated with a postsecondary institution is not acceptable content for using ABE funds.
Why does it pay?
PAYOFFS OF COLLABORATION
Expansion of clientele ESL instruction Basic Computer Training On-site instruction Cost savings Limiting business contacts
by ABE
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Ability to subcontract ABE services
Potential to reduce your costs
Potential to make money off of ABE services
ABE generates future funding
WEBSITEWEBSITE
www.southwestabe.orgwww.southwestabe.org
www.marshalladulteducation.orgwww.marshalladulteducation.org
Marshall ABE...provides educational opportunities to area adults
wishing to acquire or enhance their basic education.The Marshall ABE plays an important role in improving the
overall quality of life for families and children in Minnesota communities.
Currently, the Marshall ABE offers the following services:CLICK THE LINKS BELOW to read about each.
GED, Adult Diploma, ESL, Family Literacy, Basic Skills
Enhancement, Workforce Education, Driver's Education,
Citizenship Classes, and Computer Classes,
READ HERE: What are the benefits of Citizenship
?
The three sites available in Marshall include two apartment complexes and the Lyon County Government
Center ABE office site. In addition, 12 member district sites are available.
Lyon County Government Center607 W. Main St.
Marshall, MN 56258(507) 537-7046FAX: 537-7047
What's NewWelcome to the Marshall Adult
Education website. Click here for new items
Reading Skills for Today's Adults
Southwest ABE Website Visit the Family Literacy Page
Scope and Sequence MN West Community & Technical College
Weekly Staff Announcements
READING SKILLS STORIESThe goal of this project is to build fluency and comprehension skills in adult readers
through the use of relevant readings specific to an adult audience. The focus of these reading selections will be on topics such us: Civics, Employment, Housing,
Health, School, Money, and Government. This project is funded in part through an EL/Civics Grant from the MN Dept. of Ed -
ABE Division. Your comments, questions and feedback are invited. Click on the Feedback link at the
bottom of the page.ORIGINAL STORIES BY LEVEL
LEVEL 1.5 Joe's Workday
LEVEL 2.0 Looking for a Job
Save Money on Your Telephone Bill
This Land Is Our Land
LEVEL 2.5 Flag Day
What Can One Person Do?
LEVEL 3.0 Dogs - Friend or Foe
Mike Gets Ready For Work
TECH TIPS
Tech Tips are now on-line! Read weekly technology tips to help you with your computing.Each week a new Tech Tip is posted.
CLICK HERE FOR TECH TIPS
HOT POTATOES EXERCISES
On this page are some Hot Potatoes Exercises. Try your hand at some of these.
CLICK HERE TO GO TO HOT POTATOES EXERCISES
MARSHALL ABE TEACHER TRAINING MATERIALS
These are training materials which have been used in previous Marshall ABE technology training sessions.
Hyperstudio TutorialDownload Acrobat Reader file (.pdf)Hot Potatoes Tutorial
Download Acrobat Reader file (.pdf)Hot Potatoes Resources
Download Acrobat Reader File (.pdf)Using Email with Microsoft Word
(Download Word File) Microsoft Word (Download Word File)
Download Accompanying Floppy Training DiskThis is a compressed self-extracting file
Hundreds
of Tech
Tips at
your
fingertips
!
““We cannot do everything We cannot do everything at once, but we can do at once, but we can do something at once."something at once."
- - Calvin CoolidgeCalvin Coolidge