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Adult Education and Literacy
High School, Postsecondary, and Career Education
Trend Watch
Adult Education and Literacy
English Language Acquisition Summit Announced
The Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA), U.S. Department of Education announced its first Summit on English Language Acquisition under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Celebrate our Rising Stars will be in Washington, DC on November 13 - 15 and include discussions on early childhood education, parental involvement, and accountability. Featured guests include Secretary Rod Paige and nationally recognized experts in education with a possible visit from First Lady Laura Bush.
OVAE Reinforces Access to Apply for Funds
All eligible providers under the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) must be given "direct and equitable access to apply for" adult education funds, Assistant Secretary Carol D'Amico emphasized in a memo to State Directors recently. Eligible providers under AEFLA include community and faith-based groups. Under AEFLA, the same grant or contract announcement and application process must be used for all eligible providers. The memo is consistent with the Department's policy through its Faith-Based and Community Initiative to leverage the contributions of faith-based and community-based organizations to make its programs more effective. While the Department does not want states to grant any type of preference to these organizations, including them in competitions may gain the benefit of some excellent providers. Funds must be used solely for adult education purposes of AEFLA and no funds will be used to support religious practices.
First Adult Literacy Research Network Announced
OVAE, National Institute For Literacy, and National Institute of Child Health and Human Development awarded an $18.5 million grant over five years to six individual research projects. The Research Network will study the most effective methods and approaches for teaching reading skills to low-literate adults. The projects will design, develop, implement and study effectiveness of adult literacy interventions for low-literate adults including the role of decoding, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension instruction and explicitness of instruction.
AR Rolls Out Marketing Plan
Arkansas rolls out its new marketing plan for adult education programs this month, including a radio public service announcements and print materials. Ten percent of each will be produced in Spanish to reach the state's growing population of immigrant workers. The campaign has two waves, one beginning this month and continuing through December 2002 and a second phase beginning in January and operating through March 2003. The Communication Group received the $250,000 contract to conduct the effort with the slogan It's Never Too Late to Learn. It follows the successful GED marketing campaign from last year.
CO Community College Degrees Online
Through Colorado Community Colleges (CCC) Online, students can earn fully accredited Associate of Arts or Associate of Applied Science Degrees as well as Certificates in various disciplines. The CCCOnline is comprised of 13 member colleges in the Colorado system and other institutions. CCCOnline's web site includes user-friendly features to aid the transition from adult education to postsecondary, including a Technical Requirements Test for prospective students to ensure their computer and browser are compatible with CCCOnline courses, a short quiz, Is Online Learning For Me?, Student Frequently Asked Questions, and access to online tutoring. Tuition costs are the same for in-state and out-of-state students taking online courses.
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High School, Postsecondary, and Career Education
Fifth Annual Tech Prep Conference in Cincinnati
Dr. Carol D'Amico addressed the fifth National Association for Tech Prep Leadership Forum in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Assistant Secretary spoke at sessions on October 4 and 5, concentrating on research-based tech prep programs, academic rigor in programs, and reauthorization of vocational education. The conference was entitled Tech Prep: Creating the System for Student Success.
Assistant Secretary Addresses Health Care Worker Shortage
VHA, Inc. held their Tomorrow's Workforce Seminar in Atlanta, GA to assess VHA's current staffing situations, develop staffing plans, and strengthen their attractiveness as employers. Dr. D'Amico delivered a speech on October 3 about the healthcare shortage, the reasons behind the shortage, and how the federal government and local postsecondary education programs can help address the shortage. VHA, Inc. is a member-owned healthcare cooperative of 55 hospitals.
College and Career Transitions, Community College Labor Market Responsiveness, and Performance Measurement Initiatives Announced by OVAE
This month, OVAE announced three initiatives that will examine research-based best practices to help schools model themselves after what works. These initiatives are:
The College and Career Transitions Initiative - is designed to strengthen the role of community and technical colleges in easing students' transition from secondary to postsecondary education. Partners involved in this $2.5 million grant include the League for Innovation in the Community College, the American Association of Community Colleges, the Center for Occupational Research and Development, the Chauncey Group International, the Community College Survey of Student Engagement, and the University of Texas at Austin's Community College Leadership Program. For more information, contact Ann Walkup.
The Community College Labor Market Responsiveness Initiative - will determine the characteristics of a market-responsive college and the steps necessary to improve responsiveness and quality of the resulting customized programs. The $643,000 grant was awarded to Westat Research Corporation and the Academy for Educational Development's National Institute for Work and Learning. Contact Andrew Abrams for more information.
The Performance Measurement Initiative - will develop and test measures, built on current state and local systems, for the assessment and accountability of academic, career and technical education programs at secondary and postsecondary institutions. The Academy for Educational Development's National Institute for Work and Learning, MPR Associates, Inc., and the Johns Hopkins University's Center for Social Change were awarded the $4 million grant. For more information, contact Sharon Belli.
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Trend Watch
The Four Pillars of No Child Left Behind
Increase accountability for student performance
Focus on "what works"
Reduce bureaucracy and increase flexibility
Empower students and parents
To ask questions, provide comments, or receive email notification of the next issue, please email the Office of Vocational and Adult Education.
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Last Modified: 10/02/2006
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