Weblog: October 2007
Workforce Development Materials from NCAL
The Council for Advancement of Adult Literacy (CAAL) has released a new Policy Brief by senior analyst Julie Strawn of the Center for Law and Social Policy. This publication, POLICIES TO PROMOTE ADULT EDUCATION AND POSTSECONDARY ALIGNMENT, was prepared for the 3rd meeting of the National Commission on Adult Literacy on August 20, 2007. As introduced by its author, the publication focuses on "helping adults with lower skills and/or limited English proficiency earn postsecondary credentials that open doors to family-supporting jobs." It examines obstacles to moving toward this goal -- with major attention to lack of alignment between federal and state adult education efforts, job training services, and postsecondary education policies. It also draws attention to the financial, personal, and family challenges that prevent adults from seeking and completing programs. Numerous policy and action recommendations are given for Commission consideration. The publication is available for download from the website of the National Commission. Click here to view them
The document is also available in bound version from CAAL (for pricing and ordering instructions, bheitner@caalusa.org).
This article continues... »New NIFL Learning Disabilities Listserv Discussion
Dr. Arlyn Roffman will be joining the NIFL Learning Disabilities listserv to discuss the topic of "Guiding Teens with LD: Navigating the Transition from High School to Adulthood."
Discussion will take place on the NIFL Learning Disabilities listserv on November 8 and 9. If you are not already subscribed to the NIFL Learning Disabilities listserv, you may do so by going to: http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/LearningDisabilities
This article continues... »Two new (and free) ways to watch GED Connection episodes
Adult learners across the state of Virginia now have two exciting new ways to access all 39 GED Connection episodes. The 39 instructional programs, produced by KET-TV, cover the subjects and skills students need to pass the GED® tests. With the two new viewing options described below, learners will be able to receive quality GED preparation at times that fit their schedules, alleviating the needs for transportation and child care.
GED ON DEMAND
Virginians who subscribe to either Comcast or Cox Digital Cable can now watch any of the GED Connection episodes from the comfort of their home any time they want. This initiative, a partnership between the Commonwealth of Virginia, Comcast and Cox Communications, the Virginia Department of Education's Office of Adult Education & Literacy, and the Virginia Adult Learning Resource Center, integrates the GED Connection videos into the "ON DEMAND" programming that Cox and Comcast offer free to their digital cable customers.
This article continues... »GED Connection streaming videos
Adult learners in Virginia can now access all of the GED Connection programs anytime from an Internet-connected computer. All 39 episodes are now being "streamed" online from the eLEARN Virginia website in 3 video formats--Windows Media, Flash, and Quicktime--for both low speed and high speed computer connections.
The 39 instructional programs, produced by KET-TV, cover the subjects and skills students need to pass the GED tests. With the programs now available online, learners will be able to receive quality GED preparation at times that fit their schedules.
You don't need to be enrolled in eLEARN Virginia to access these online programs, but you do need to be a resident of Virginia and have a valid username and password. To receive your username and password and begin watching, please call 1-877-37-MY-GED (1-877-376-9433) or send an email request to richard@elearnva.com
GED Connection ON DEMAND
Virginians who subscribe to either Comcast or Cox Digital Cable can now watch any of the GED Connection episodes from the comfort of their home any time they want. This initiative, a partnership between the Commonwealth of Virginia, Comcast and Cox Communications, the Virginia Department of Education's Office of Adult Education & Literacy, and the Virginia Adult Learning Resource Center, integrates the GED Connection videos into the "ON DEMAND" programming that Cox and Comcast offer free to their digital cable customers.
The 39 instructional programs, produced by KET-TV, cover the subjects and skills students need to pass the GED tests. With GED Connection ON DEMAND, learners will be able to receive quality GED preparation at times that fit their schedules, alleviating the needs for transportation and child care.
This article continues... »ESOL Student Orientation Tools
Recently, Prince William County Public Schools Adult Education published some materials that you may find useful when trying to help your students better understand their ESOL program/class, what is expected of them as students and how they can be active learners.
These are:
Learning English: The Journey Begins with You An orientation video to help you understand the PWCS ESOL class registration process. Note: This video is generic, so it can be used for any adult ESOL program in Virginia.
The
You can access these tools online at http://www.pwcs.edu/curriculum/adulted/#2 (click on Programs in the left-hand corner and select ESOL); or contact Ms. Debra Cargill, Lead ESOL and Program Developer, at 703-791-8387 or at cargildh@pwcs.edu .
Learning Disabilities and English Language Learners
Colorin Colorado, in conjuntion with Reading Rockets, has made available a webcast about instructing English Language Learners with Learning Disabilities. While the webcast is geared to K-12 students, it has relevant information and application for the adult literacy educator and learner. To view the webcast, go to: http://www.readingrockets.org/webcasts/ondemand/2007. This webpage will also give you additional resources to explore on this topic.
Also of interest are two articles available at LDOnline. They are "Communication Strategies for All Classrooms: Focusing on English Language Learners and Students with Learning Disabilities" by Dale S. Brown and Karen Ford at: http://www.ldonline.org/article/19260 and "Learning Disabilities in English Language Learners" by Louise Spear-Swerling at: http://www.ldonline.org/spearswerling/8001.
Two New Resources
Refugees with Disabilities
The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI), Assisting Refugees with Disabilities Program, has produced a "Resource Guide for Serving Refugees with Disabilities" that is now available for download at http://www.refugees.org/article.aspx?id=1965&subm=113&ssm=135&area=Participate
The guide, written for refugee case managers and those serving refugees with disabilities, includes 139 pages of information about resources for serving adults and children with disabilities, housing for refugees with disabilities, assistive technology, medical resources, citizenship and disability, benefits for refugees with disabilities and more.
If you have any questions or technical assistance needs, please contact Xuan Nguyen, Director of USCRI Health and Human Services at mailto:dblankenship@uscridc.org xnguyen@uscridc.org or at 202-347-3507 ext 3056.
Workplace Instruction and Workforce Preparation for Adult Immigrants
If you are interested in learning more about instruction geared towards the workplace, then this resource will be very helpful. Written by Miriam Burt and Julie Mathews-Aydinli, this brief reviews the three venues in which federally funded instruction to help immigrants become successful at work is offered - at the workplace, in vocational classes, and in adult English as a second language (ESL) classes. This brief, published by the Center for Adult English Language Acquisition (CAELA) at the Center for Applied Linguistics, can be found at http://www.cal.org/caela/esl_resources/briefs/work.html
For US Worker Anxious Times
This timely article from the Christian Science Monitor discusses current issues in today's labor force, which seem to be permanent and worldwide.