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Workforce Creation and Adult Education Transition Council

Adult Learning Work Group

October 7, 2008October 7, 2008

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Work Group StructureWork Group StructureWork Group Chairs: Work Group Chairs: • Melinda BrownMelinda Brown, President , Maryland Association for Adult and , President , Maryland Association for Adult and

Community Continuing Education; Adult Education Coordinator, St. Community Continuing Education; Adult Education Coordinator, St. Mary’s County Public SchoolsMary’s County Public Schools

• Patty KeetonPatty Keeton, Executive Director of Continuing Education and , Executive Director of Continuing Education and Workforce Development, Howard Community CollegeWorkforce Development, Howard Community College

Subcommittees and ChairsSubcommittees and Chairs::• Group 1Group 1: : Adult Learning Structure Co-ChairsAdult Learning Structure Co-Chairs: :

Patty Keeton, Executive Director, Howard Community CollegePatty Keeton, Executive Director, Howard Community College Marjorie Zimmerman, Adult Ed Coordinator, Calvert County Public Marjorie Zimmerman, Adult Ed Coordinator, Calvert County Public

Schools Schools • Group 2Group 2: : Administration, Program Coordination & Services Administration, Program Coordination & Services

Integration Co ChairsIntegration Co Chairs Karen Gianninoto, MSDE Adult Ed SpecialistKaren Gianninoto, MSDE Adult Ed Specialist Jim Parker, Former OVAE Program Coordinator and AE ConsultantJim Parker, Former OVAE Program Coordinator and AE Consultant

• Group 3 : Data Collection and Outcome MeasuresGroup 3 : Data Collection and Outcome Measures Melinda Brown, Adult Ed Coordinator , St. Mary's County Public Melinda Brown, Adult Ed Coordinator , St. Mary's County Public

Schools and MAACCE PresidentSchools and MAACCE President Carolyn Mitchell, Director, Office of Workforce Information and Carolyn Mitchell, Director, Office of Workforce Information and

Performance, DLLRPerformance, DLLR

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Work PlanWork PlanWork Group’s ResponsibilitiesWork Group’s Responsibilities Recommend a framework for a new State system of delivering adult Recommend a framework for a new State system of delivering adult

education and workforce programs that tracks outcomes of adult education and workforce programs that tracks outcomes of adult education students and provides for the effective alignment of adult education students and provides for the effective alignment of adult education and literacy programs with workforce development education and literacy programs with workforce development programs.programs.

Address the need for longitudinal outcome data to enhance the Address the need for longitudinal outcome data to enhance the current accountability system.current accountability system.

Work to develop a seamless plan for the transition of the adult Work to develop a seamless plan for the transition of the adult education and literacy programs from MSDE to DLLR. The plan will education and literacy programs from MSDE to DLLR. The plan will include strategies for ensuring program continuity for clients, include strategies for ensuring program continuity for clients, strategies for ensuring continuity in the administration of grant strategies for ensuring continuity in the administration of grant programs and strategies for addressing potential challenges to programs and strategies for addressing potential challenges to implementing the transition while continuing the delivery of quality implementing the transition while continuing the delivery of quality content to clients.content to clients.

  

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Work PlanWork PlanSubcommittees’ ChargesSubcommittees’ ChargesAdult Learning StructuresAdult Learning Structures – Group 1 : Recommend a work plan containing – Group 1 : Recommend a work plan containing

short term and long range objectives for an adult learning system in short term and long range objectives for an adult learning system in Maryland that embodies an integrated education and training approach for Maryland that embodies an integrated education and training approach for adult learners.adult learners.

Administration, Program Coordination & Services Integration Administration, Program Coordination & Services Integration – Group – Group 2: Develop a seamless plan for the (administrative) transition of the adult 2: Develop a seamless plan for the (administrative) transition of the adult education and literacy programs from MSDE to DLLR. Recommend the education and literacy programs from MSDE to DLLR. Recommend the composition and responsibilities of a State Advisory Council on Adult composition and responsibilities of a State Advisory Council on Adult Education, Literacy and Workforce Development, as well as assist in the Education, Literacy and Workforce Development, as well as assist in the development of the State Plan for Adult Education.development of the State Plan for Adult Education.

Data Collection and Outcome Measures Data Collection and Outcome Measures – Group 3: Recommend a new – Group 3: Recommend a new State system of accountability for adult education and workforce programs State system of accountability for adult education and workforce programs that tracks outcomes of adult education students and provides for the that tracks outcomes of adult education students and provides for the effective alignment of adult education and literacy programs with effective alignment of adult education and literacy programs with workforce development programs.workforce development programs.

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Work PlanWork PlanMeetings and Conference CallsMeetings and Conference Calls Co ChairsCo Chairs: Weekly conference calls with consultants: Weekly conference calls with consultants

Full Work Group MeetingsFull Work Group Meetings: 8/29, 9/29: 8/29, 9/29

Adult Learning StructuresAdult Learning Structures: : • Meetings: 8/29, 9/29; Email survey; Webinar: 10/15Meetings: 8/29, 9/29; Email survey; Webinar: 10/15

Administration, Program Coordination & Services IntegrationAdministration, Program Coordination & Services Integration : :

• Meetings: 8/29, 9/19; Conference Call: 9/12; Webinar: 10/13Meetings: 8/29, 9/19; Conference Call: 9/12; Webinar: 10/13

Data Collection and Outcome MeasuresData Collection and Outcome Measures: : • Meetings: 8/29, 9/29; Conference Calls: 9/11, 9/18, 9/25Meetings: 8/29, 9/29; Conference Calls: 9/11, 9/18, 9/25

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Issues Under ConsiderationIssues Under ConsiderationTransition ConsiderationsTransition Considerations Continuity of service means that there will be no interruption Continuity of service means that there will be no interruption

of service or negative impact on learners.of service or negative impact on learners.

The State Plan needs to be aligned with the Governor’s The State Plan needs to be aligned with the Governor’s objectives and federal requirements.objectives and federal requirements.

State and local alignment between Adult Education (AE) and State and local alignment between Adult Education (AE) and Workforce Programs is limited.Workforce Programs is limited.

DLLR expectations for programs are unknown, beyond DLLR expectations for programs are unknown, beyond current MSDE requirements and mandates.current MSDE requirements and mandates.

Current State Advisory Council representation and mission Current State Advisory Council representation and mission need review.need review.

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Issues Under ConsiderationIssues Under ConsiderationCurrent State Practice, Policy and Current State Practice, Policy and

RequirementsRequirements

Under the current state-to-local formula, there is a wide Under the current state-to-local formula, there is a wide range of per student costs.range of per student costs.

The State mandates a prescriptive set of local program The State mandates a prescriptive set of local program requirements that are not found in WIA Title II or the requirements that are not found in WIA Title II or the current State Plan.current State Plan.

Under the current system, local grant amounts are pre-Under the current system, local grant amounts are pre-allocated to each of the MD jurisdictions. allocated to each of the MD jurisdictions.

Current funding to local programs limits professional Current funding to local programs limits professional development to foundation trainings, assessment trainings development to foundation trainings, assessment trainings and standards implementation.and standards implementation.

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Issues Under ConsiderationIssues Under Consideration

Current State Practice, Policy and Current State Practice, Policy and Requirements – cont’dRequirements – cont’d

State AE staff assignments, especially Specialty Area State AE staff assignments, especially Specialty Area designations, have been essentially static for some time. designations, have been essentially static for some time.

There is near exclusive use of National Reporting System There is near exclusive use of National Reporting System (NRS) as the measure of program and learning outcomes.(NRS) as the measure of program and learning outcomes.

Adult General Education (AGE) funding is available only for Adult General Education (AGE) funding is available only for public school adult programs. public school adult programs.

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Issues Under ConsiderationIssues Under ConsiderationProgram DeliveryProgram Delivery During the next 10 years, Maryland’s economy will grow and During the next 10 years, Maryland’s economy will grow and

change and will require a more highly skilled workforce.change and will require a more highly skilled workforce.

There are multiple and varied perspectives about the adult There are multiple and varied perspectives about the adult learning programs and services currently operating in learning programs and services currently operating in Maryland.Maryland.

Maryland considers effective practices to include serving Maryland considers effective practices to include serving those most in need, identifying an individual’s goals, providing those most in need, identifying an individual’s goals, providing support services, and integrating education and training.support services, and integrating education and training.

Maryland needs to expand the capacity of its programs and Maryland needs to expand the capacity of its programs and increase statewide access to Adult Learning opportunities.increase statewide access to Adult Learning opportunities.

  

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Issues Under ConsiderationIssues Under ConsiderationData Collection and OutcomesData Collection and Outcomes

A more effective and efficient data system will require A more effective and efficient data system will require sufficient resources to design and maintain a state-of-the-sufficient resources to design and maintain a state-of-the-art system.art system.

Maryland needs to ensure that it continues to meet federal Maryland needs to ensure that it continues to meet federal data requirements.data requirements.

Easier access to information about what students are Easier access to information about what students are

learning can help improve local programs.learning can help improve local programs.

Programs need the ability to follow performance of the Programs need the ability to follow performance of the students beyond pre-test and post-test and use data students beyond pre-test and post-test and use data systems to track ongoing performance and to inventory systems to track ongoing performance and to inventory student needs.student needs.

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Issues Under ConsiderationIssues Under Consideration

Data Collection and Outcomes – cont’dData Collection and Outcomes – cont’d

Programs need to share data between agencies.Programs need to share data between agencies.

Student demographics are entered multiple times because Student demographics are entered multiple times because of incompatible systems.of incompatible systems.

Maryland lacks a long-term (5-10 years) tracking systems Maryland lacks a long-term (5-10 years) tracking systems for individuals in the system.for individuals in the system.

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Research and Data RequestsResearch and Data Requests Baseline information on what programs are currently in Baseline information on what programs are currently in

operation in terms of specific services, outcomes, and target operation in terms of specific services, outcomes, and target populations (MSDE and DLLR)populations (MSDE and DLLR)

Survey of effective practices from Maryland programsSurvey of effective practices from Maryland programs

Comparison of Maryland practices and learner performance Comparison of Maryland practices and learner performance to other states (SRI and CRW)to other states (SRI and CRW)

Survey of data currently collected within MSDE, DLLR and Survey of data currently collected within MSDE, DLLR and MHEC databasesMHEC databases

Survey of best practices of selected statesSurvey of best practices of selected states

Interviews with experts in other statesInterviews with experts in other states

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ChallengesChallenges

Unfulfilled and partially fulfilled information and Unfulfilled and partially fulfilled information and data requests.data requests.

Limited time to develop issues and Limited time to develop issues and recommendations, discuss group structures, meet recommendations, discuss group structures, meet as a group, review minutes of meetings and make as a group, review minutes of meetings and make corrections.corrections.

Some additional transition challenges are Some additional transition challenges are identified in the issues above.identified in the issues above.

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Preliminary RecommendationsPreliminary RecommendationsTransition ConsiderationsTransition Considerations Ensure that a process is in place for grantees to apply for Ensure that a process is in place for grantees to apply for

Continuation Funding, and receive grant award letters to Continuation Funding, and receive grant award letters to continue program operation for FY 2010continue program operation for FY 2010

Communicate the timeline for grant approval process and Communicate the timeline for grant approval process and reporting requirements to the local programsreporting requirements to the local programs

Ensure that there is a stable and predictable funding level Ensure that there is a stable and predictable funding level for a statewide networkfor a statewide network

Submit state plan revisions to U.S. Department of EducationSubmit state plan revisions to U.S. Department of Education

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Preliminary RecommendationsPreliminary Recommendations

Transition Considerations – cont’dTransition Considerations – cont’d

Review the current six challenges addressed in the State Review the current six challenges addressed in the State Plan and determine if they are being met and if the Plan and determine if they are being met and if the challenges should change in the futurechallenges should change in the future

Communicate DLLR’s expectations to local programs, Communicate DLLR’s expectations to local programs, especially those that may differ from the current MSDE especially those that may differ from the current MSDE expectations.expectations.

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Preliminary RecommendationsPreliminary Recommendations

Advisory CommitteeAdvisory CommitteeReplace the STAC with an Advisory Committee for Adult and Replace the STAC with an Advisory Committee for Adult and Workforce Education within DLLRWorkforce Education within DLLR

Develop mission statement for the advisory committee and Develop mission statement for the advisory committee and establish duties of the committeeestablish duties of the committee

Extend membership to better represent stakeholders including Extend membership to better represent stakeholders including students and grant holdersstudents and grant holders

Establish a standing program administrators’ affinity group to Establish a standing program administrators’ affinity group to share questions and inform the new State Advisory Committeeshare questions and inform the new State Advisory Committee

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Preliminary RecommendationsPreliminary Recommendations

Current State Practice, Policy and RequirementsCurrent State Practice, Policy and Requirements

Review the current state formula for distributing funds to Review the current state formula for distributing funds to the Maryland jurisdictions and local granteesthe Maryland jurisdictions and local grantees

Clarify and make transparent the funding formula decision-Clarify and make transparent the funding formula decision-making process related to federal and state fundingmaking process related to federal and state funding

Identify and explain various differences in outcomes and Identify and explain various differences in outcomes and funding allocations among programs by conducting a funding allocations among programs by conducting a comprehensive program evaluationcomprehensive program evaluation

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Preliminary RecommendationsPreliminary Recommendations

Current State Practice, Policy and Requirements – Current State Practice, Policy and Requirements – cont’dcont’d

Identify state-imposed local requirements, as mandated by Identify state-imposed local requirements, as mandated by WIA Title II, the State Plan and the program RFP and where WIA Title II, the State Plan and the program RFP and where possible, reduce local program requirements - especially possible, reduce local program requirements - especially those not funded those not funded

Review local matching requirements and adjust them to Review local matching requirements and adjust them to reflect recently increased state funding reflect recently increased state funding

Determine the benefit of providing AGE funds only to public Determine the benefit of providing AGE funds only to public schoolsschools

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Preliminary RecommendationsPreliminary Recommendations

Capture New PrioritiesCapture New Priorities

Review the State Plan and incorporate the current Review the State Plan and incorporate the current Governor’s objectives for Adult Education and Workforce Governor’s objectives for Adult Education and Workforce Systems where neededSystems where needed

Review the recommendations from the other work groups Review the recommendations from the other work groups for possible incorporation into the State Planfor possible incorporation into the State Plan

Review the current Governor’s Workforce Investment Board Review the current Governor’s Workforce Investment Board Mission and Vision and align with the State PlanMission and Vision and align with the State Plan

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Preliminary RecommendationsPreliminary Recommendations

Capture New PrioritiesCapture New Priorities

Review the federal performance requirements and determine if Review the federal performance requirements and determine if additional state performance measures are needed to additional state performance measures are needed to demonstrate program success to state agency or other demonstrate program success to state agency or other stakeholders.stakeholders.

Broaden outcome measures beyond NRS and provide funding to Broaden outcome measures beyond NRS and provide funding to meet this goalmeet this goal

Change state staff assignments as needed to reflect new state Change state staff assignments as needed to reflect new state prioritiespriorities

Promote and reward adult education and workforce programs that Promote and reward adult education and workforce programs that include alignment with DLLR, DBED, and DHRinclude alignment with DLLR, DBED, and DHR

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Preliminary RecommendationsPreliminary RecommendationsProfessional DevelopmentProfessional Development Examine and evaluate alternative models of professional development Examine and evaluate alternative models of professional development

delivery systems that include teacher certification and credentialing delivery systems that include teacher certification and credentialing optionsoptions

Explore the possibility of developing regional centers that provide Explore the possibility of developing regional centers that provide professional development professional development

Explore using grant funding to allow local grantees to attend national Explore using grant funding to allow local grantees to attend national trainingstrainings

Review Section 8.3 of the State Plan and the Guide for the Development of Review Section 8.3 of the State Plan and the Guide for the Development of State Plan, Sections 8 and 9 to improve professional development offeringsState Plan, Sections 8 and 9 to improve professional development offerings

Design professional development programs that inform adult educators Design professional development programs that inform adult educators about local WIB resources.about local WIB resources.

Identify DLLR trainings and options offered by Institute for Excellence and Identify DLLR trainings and options offered by Institute for Excellence and Workforce that would be beneficial to or duplicate existing adult education Workforce that would be beneficial to or duplicate existing adult education professional developmentprofessional development

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Preliminary RecommendationsPreliminary RecommendationsAlignmentAlignment Review best practice models that demonstrate success of Review best practice models that demonstrate success of

integrated approaches in providing adults with basic skills and integrated approaches in providing adults with basic skills and occupational/ vocational trainingoccupational/ vocational training

Identify effective adult education and workforce systems Identify effective adult education and workforce systems partnerships assess and discuss why some regions lack partnerships assess and discuss why some regions lack collaborationcollaboration

Promote and reward adult education and workforce programs that Promote and reward adult education and workforce programs that include alignment with DLLR, DBED, and DHRinclude alignment with DLLR, DBED, and DHR

Establish cooperative arrangements between adult education Establish cooperative arrangements between adult education programs and workforce development systems in order to assist programs and workforce development systems in order to assist interested learners with transitions to career and educational interested learners with transitions to career and educational pathwayspathways

Strengthen regional partnerships, including community-based Strengthen regional partnerships, including community-based organizations, K-12, community colleges, libraries, and One-Stops organizations, K-12, community colleges, libraries, and One-Stops to create more efficient referral systemsto create more efficient referral systems

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Preliminary RecommendationsPreliminary RecommendationsProgram DeliveryProgram Delivery Continue to use the broad definition of target populations Continue to use the broad definition of target populations

as outlined in the Adult Education legislation as outlined in the Adult Education legislation

Continue the range of current adult education program Continue the range of current adult education program offerings during the transitionofferings during the transition

Recommend new program structures and priorities based Recommend new program structures and priorities based on data, related state needs, and a review of national best on data, related state needs, and a review of national best practicespractices

Adapt curricula in adult learning and establish partnerships Adapt curricula in adult learning and establish partnerships to provide individualized and comprehensive services to to provide individualized and comprehensive services to those in need of higher skills in order to participate in the those in need of higher skills in order to participate in the changing economy.changing economy.

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Preliminary RecommendationsPreliminary Recommendations

Program Delivery – cont’dProgram Delivery – cont’d

Expand EDP program services and GED testing sites Expand EDP program services and GED testing sites throughout the State.throughout the State.

Identify and expand the role of technology in providing Identify and expand the role of technology in providing additional services throughout the State.additional services throughout the State.

Incorporate labor market information into new and existing Incorporate labor market information into new and existing adult education curriculum that identifies skills required for adult education curriculum that identifies skills required for certain occupations/sectors, and earnings at various skill certain occupations/sectors, and earnings at various skill levelslevels

  

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Preliminary RecommendationsPreliminary RecommendationsData Collection & Outcome MeasuresData Collection & Outcome Measures

Create and maintain a data mining or clearinghouse system Create and maintain a data mining or clearinghouse system that provides timely information and is accessible for program that provides timely information and is accessible for program improvement, reporting, accountability and both short and long improvement, reporting, accountability and both short and long term analysisterm analysis

Use existing data to create a 2008 baseline that allows for Use existing data to create a 2008 baseline that allows for individual student and program queries as well as quarterly individual student and program queries as well as quarterly reports on key measuresreports on key measures

Develop a system that tracks economic self-sufficiency and Develop a system that tracks economic self-sufficiency and less dependence on state programs and institutionsless dependence on state programs and institutions

Develop outcome measures that reflect diverse goals and Develop outcome measures that reflect diverse goals and expectations for individual learnersexpectations for individual learners