Adult Basic Education Pat Thomas SW ABE Program

Adult Basic Education Pat Thomas SW ABE Program Manager pthomas@starpoint. net (507) 537 -7046

ABE: Changing in response to the needs of today’s workforce

ABE Learner Eligibility Adult Basic Education provides services or instruction below the postsecondary level for individuals: A) Who are at least 16 years old B) Who are not enrolled in secondary school C) Who qualify under one or more of the following: a. Lack mastery of basic educational skills b. Do not have a high school diploma or it’s equivalent c. Are unable to speak, read or write the English language

Programs in ABE GED High School diploma Reading Comprehension & Fluency Citizenship Basic math and computation skills Basic computer skills Assessment testing Family Literacy

Sample ABE Learner Goals n n n n Attain employment and/or better their current employment Achieve high school equivalency (GED or H. S. Diploma) Attain skills necessary to enter post-secondary education and training Exit public welfare and become self-sufficient; Learn to speak and write the English Language; Master basic academic skills to help their children succeed in school Become U. S. citizens and participate in democratic society Gain self-esteem, personal confidence and sense of personal and civic responsibility

Why focus on Workforce Education?

2005 Skills Gap Report “In addition to shortages of various types of employees, manufacturers surveyed reported they are also dissatisfied with the skills of their current employees. Among respondents to this national survey, nearly half indicated their current employees have inadequate basic employability skills, such as attendance, timeliness and work ethic while 46% reported inadequate problem solving skills among employees and 36% indicated insufficient reading, writing and communications skills. ” Full report is available at: www. nam. org/2005 skillsgap

NEED: n n n 40% Of the people in the United States lack the basic skills necessary to obtain or retain employment 42% of Welfare to Work (MFIP) caseloads do not have a high school degree or equivalent (DHS TANF Report) 12% of Minnesotans over 25 years old lack a high school degree or its equivalency. The average high school graduate earns $7, 000 more than a high school dropout. (2000 Census) n n Major MN employers report large costs to train and retrain employees whose lack of basic skills or ability to speak English are liabilities to the profit line. (MN Bus. Partnership. ) 36% of job applicants tested by major U. S. firms in 1998 lacked the reading and math skills to do the job they sought. (Amer. Mgt. Assoc. )

ABE Serves Did you know… n n That over 75, 000 individuals participate annually to upgrade their basic academic skills such as reading, writing, mathematics and English? Over 4, 000 individuals are referred to ABE classes each year by employers? We serve adults with virtually no skills in English or math and have the ability to stay with them and teach them until they reach a 12 th-grade level? We’re able to come to the workplace to offer short-term classes OR we’re able to host classes at local ABE classrooms?

ABE Workforce Education Goals To Provide quality workforce education training n To provide quality curriculum development n To establish an appropriate array of recommended on-site assessments n To develop and identify model programs and best practices n To collaborate with other government/private initiatives to share information and avoid duplication of services n

What can we offer to businesses? n n n n n 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 Education Program look like? There is no typical Workforce Education Program. Each of our programs is uniquely tailored to the needs and specifications of the business. This includes identifying and teaching the basic skills the employer wishes to reinforce in the workplace. Examples include: teacher and/or improving English skills, math skills for retail, or identifying and discussing cultural differences that may be interfering with expectations and communication.

How are individual business needs met? n n ABE is experienced in creating specialized curriculum State-wide pool of information and experience We provide a customized curriculum that is intensive, well-paced and benefits the employees’ both professionally and personally. We understand that productivity is hinged on an employee’s ability to communicate with 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? FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS PAYOFFS OF COLLABORATION Expansion of clientele n ESL instruction n Basic Computer Training n On-site instruction n Cost savings n Limiting business contacts by ABE n n n Ability to subcontract ABE services Potential to reduce your costs Potential to make money off of ABE services ABE generates future funding

WEBSITE www. southwestabe. org www. marshalladulteducation. org

Marshall ABE What's New . . . 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. Welcome to the Marshall Adult Education website. Click here for new items 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? 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 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 Center 607 W. Main St. Marshall, MN 56258 (507) 537 -7046 FAX: 537 -7047

READING SKILLS STORIES The 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 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 Tutorial Download Acrobat Reader file (. pdf) Hot Potatoes Resources Download Acrobat Reader File (. pdf) Using Email with Microsoft Word (Download Word File)

ds e dr ch n Hu f Te at o ps Ti our p y rti ge n i f s!

“We cannot do everything at once, but we can do something at once. " - Calvin Coolidge