aacae and ala conference update - aalrc.org

1

Volume 18, Issue 3 FALL 2018

The Arkansas Adult Learning Resource Center provides equal access to all programs and activities.

The Arkansas Association of Continuing and Adult Education (AACAE) and Adult Learning Alliance (ALA) are proud to announce Dr. Phillip McClure as keynote speaker for the upcoming conference November 8th- 9th at the Hotel Hot Springs in Hot Springs. A preconference will be held on Wednesday, November 7th. Dr. McClure graduated from Henry Clay High School in Lexington and proceeded to Berea College in Berea, KY where he earned a B.A. in Music with a focus on voice and choral conducting. In 2005, he com-pleted his Masters in Theology and then in April, 2015, he completed his Doctorate in Theology. In October 2017, he began to focus on full-time facilitation, speaking, and writing. Dr. McClure has been professionally speaking since 1986, and has lived in Ft. Smith, Arkansas since 2002. Dr. McClure and his wife use a variety of activities and challenges to enhance teamwork, communication and dynamics for existing and new teams. They have been building leaders and teams for their entire career spanning three decades. For the past dozen years, they have operated McClure Professional Services conducting active events and retreats to build teams and lead trainings and workshops to develop leaders and improve communication in existing teams. You can expect to be captivated from the start, to laugh, and to be challenged to act on the principles taught. The AACAE and ALA Conference promises valuable and current professional development for adult education and literacy staff from all corners of the state. Strands will include Literacy, ELL, Workforce, Educational Technology and In-structional Strategies. Collaborate with your colleagues from around the state and enjoy more than 20 presenters and 30 sessions including this year’s re-quired professional development, parental involvement. It’s not too late to register at http://aalrc.org/adminteachers/conferences.html.

The registration form can also be accessed by going to the AALRC website in the Conferences section under News and Events. A block of rooms is being held at the Hotel Hot Springs until October 15th. The cost is $104 for single occupancy and $114.00 for double occupancy. For questions concerning registration, please call Toccara Pearson, AALRC, at 501-907-2490, or 800-832-6242. See you at the conference! Sincerely, Regina Olson

The

Adu

lt L

earn

ing N

etw

ork i

s a

qu

art

erly

pu

bli

cati

on o

f th

e A

AL

RC

.

Arkansas Adult Learning Resource Center 801 S. Louisiana Little Rock, AR 72201 Phone: 800-832-6242 501-907-2490 FAX: 501-907-2492 http://aalrc.org

AACAE and ALA Conference Update

2018 Keynote Speaker

Dr. Phillip McClure

http://aalrc.org/adminteachers/conferences.html

2

Adult Learning Network

Governor

Asa

Hutchinson

State Board of Career Education

Director

Dr. Charisse

Childers

Division of

Rehabilitation Ser-

vices

Alan McClain

Adult Education

Division

Dr. Trenia Miles

Division of

Career & Technical

Education

Dr. Angela

Kremers

Communications

Charles McAfee

Human

Resources &

Development

DeCarlia Smith

Finance

Lorna Claudio

Office of

Skills Development

Cody Waits

Calendar

All events are at the AALRC unless otherwise noted.

Professional Development Events: October

1st LD Foundations - Session ID: 361029

5th LACES for Teachers a.m. - Session ID: 361012 p.m. - Session ID: 361013 5th Classroom Targets for High School Equivalency – SW regional at Hope - Session ID: 361230 11th Distance Learning 100 - Session ID: 360903 12th LACES for Teachers – NW Regional Location NWTI - a.m. - Session ID: 361015 p.m. - Session ID: 364052 12th Classroom Targets for High School Equivalency – SE Regional ASU Mid-South West Memphis - Session ID: 361231 12th Lesson Planning and Course Outlines - Session ID: 364429 16th Effective Instruction: Focus on Reading - Session ID: 364134 17th Embedding Transition, Metacognitive and Soft Skills - Session ID: 364136 18th Success with Re-Entry - Session ID: 361020 19th Customer Service - Session ID: 361022 23rd Online Software Programs - Session ID: 361091 24th Google Forms - Session ID: 361097 25th-26th LD Comprehensive - Session ID: 361032 26th Classroom targets for High School Equivalency –

SE Regional UAM Monticello - Session ID: 361232

November 1st-2nd Face-to-Face for the Facilitating Career Development Course Days 2 & 3 2nd LACES for Teachers – SW Regional COTO - a.m. - Session ID: 361023 p.m. - Session ID: 364059 2nd Classroom Targets for High School Equivalency – NW Regional NWACC - Session ID: 361233 7th AACAE Pre-Conference 8th-9th AACAE Conference held at The Hotel Hot Springs in Hot Springs THANKSGIVING BREAK Nov.19th-23rd 26th Distance Learning 101 - Session ID: 361014 27th Grant Writing - tentative 28th Financial Literacy - Session ID: 361025 29th-30th LD Comprehensive - Session 2 29th Teacher Technology - Information coming soon 30th ESL Workshop – NW Regional - Information coming soon

December 5th Canvas - Session ID: 361026 6th-7th Bidders Conference - tentative CHRISTMAS BREAK Dec. 19th – Jan. 1st

3


The Arkansas Department of Career Education/Adult Education Division (ADCE/AED) was awarded $125,000 as a Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) from Rural Development, an agency of the USDA. The grant funds will be used to provide distance education entrepreneurial training. Participants will be adult education students enrolled in an online Entrepreneurship Training Program. The online course should take approximately twelve months to complete. The entrepreneurship training will be administered by the ADCE/AED in partnership with Arkansas Adult Learning Resource Center (AALRC), two-year colleges, the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC) at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and participating adult education providers. The entrepreneurship training program offers students both face-to-face training as well as online training. The Certificate of Proficiency in Entrepreneurship is designed to inspire critical thinking in students, develop positive approaches to problem solving, build attributes of creativity, foster and enhance entrepreneurial traits in individuals. During this program each student will have access to a mentor provided by the ASBTDC. Mentors will be successful small business owners from across the state. Communication with the mentors will be enabled through multiple forms of media (i.e. telephone, Skype, chat, etc.). ADCE/AED is very excited to be able to offer this program to adult education students across the state. Please contact Todd Hunter, Program Advisor, for more information ([email protected]) or go to the following link https://arcareereducation.org/services/adult-education/start-up.

What is STAR? STudent Achievement in Reading (STAR) is a comprehensive reading reform initiative for implementing evi-dence-based reading instruction for intermediate-level adult learners. Who should participate? Are your intermediate level readers stuck? Do you have instructors who teach reading, but aren’t certified as reading teachers? WIOA law specifies that “the essential components of reading instruction” be incorporated into instruction including alphabetics, fluency, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. Do you know how to do this? We will be recruiting 8-10 local program teams to participate in STAR training. Each team must include an administrator (or someone with authority to make decisions and changes) and one or more instructors per program team. Instructors will need to be working with adult students reading at grades 4 – 8.9 (NRS levels 3 and 4) throughout the training because part of the training is implementing what is learned in your classroom. Students can be ABE or ESOL, but ESOL students need to have a TABE reading test and score at grade equivalency of 4 – 8.9. What is involved in the training? This is an intense training spread over 8 months. There are three 1-day meetings and 23 online modules that you will work through on your own. The modules are engaging and interactive and contain resources and video clips of techniques in action in adult education classrooms. Some modules include assignments to try out what you learned in your classroom and share plans and reflections about that implementation. When will the training be offered? AALRC is in the beginning stages of planning training with Manhattan Strategies Group as this newsletter

goes to press. As soon as contracts can be made and dates set, training applications will be sent out to local

program directors. Be sure to watch your email and the AALRC website for information and updates.

Certificate of Proficiency Opportunity for Adult Education Students

The STAR Project is coming to Arkansas

Should YOUR program participate?

mailto:[email protected]

https://arcareereducation.org/services/adult-education/start-up

4


News from the Disabilities and Online Learning Coordinator

"America’s Workforce: Empowering All"

Every October, the National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) kicks off through the United States Department of Labor and the Office of Disability Employment Policy. This cam-paign raises awareness about the issues facing persons with disabilities. NDEAM was enacted in 1945 when Congress declared the first week in October as “Nationally Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.” Later, in 1962, the word “physically” was removed to put focus on the fact that persons living with all types of disabilities can have contributions to the work environment. In 1988, the focal week was expanded to include the entire month of October. The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) has assumed responsibility to expand the em-ployment campaign in close work with the USDOL. The theme for 2018 is "America’s Workforce: Empowering All".

In the year 2014, an estimated 6.1 percent of persons with a diagnosed and defined disability (aged 18-64/ male and female) were employed in Arkansas. In other words, 10,000 out of 166,000 (or about one in sixteen) persons with a work limitation, aged 18-64 in Arkansas were employed (ODEP). In addition to this, statistically, persons with a disability have annual earnings of $10,000 less than a person without a disability. When analyzing the employment gaps for persons with disabilities, there are a few conclusions that can be made. Persons with a disability are less likely to have completed a bachelor’s degree or higher than those without a disability. Among both groups, those who have completed higher levels of education are more likely to be employed than those with less education. Across all levels of education in 2017, persons with a disability were much less likely to be employed than were their counterparts with no disability. With these statistics in mind, it is clear that employment barriers for persons with disabilities ex-pand beyond education. This means that the reach to bridge gaps and go beyond barriers must extend the reach beyond the classroom. Awareness and partnerships must be established with community employers and established with community stakeholders. As a fellow advocate for persons with disabilities, here are some opportunities and ideas to in-

clude for the month of October. The Office of Disability Employment Policy in conjunction with the

United States Department of Labor has month-long ideas. Here is a sample of activities and QR

quick links:

Most Common Barriers Reported in Arkansas for Persons with Disabilities

Discharged from Employment 58.9%

Providing Reasonable Accommodations 35%

Harassment 16%

5


AALRC

Professional

Development

Team

Bridget Criner

Nancy

Leonhardt

Nancy Loftis

Dr. Trenia Miles

Bill Ritter

Regina Olson

Marsha Taylor

Why We Do What We Do

As I prepared a presentation on Transition and Disabilities, I was ap-proached by Barbara Flake of Pulaski County Special School District Adult Education and asked if she could invite a guest. This day set in motion what led to be an amazing day of full-circle professional purpose. Conven-ing after lunch, we were discussing the benefits of essential preparation for persons with disabilities when a small person with a gentle smile entered the room. She sat quietly in the back of the room showing a personal inter-est in the topics we were discussing. We made it to a stopping point and had time for this person to have the floor and share with us her story.


Continued on page 6

6


AALRC Staff

Director

Marsha Taylor

___________________

Disabilities and

Online Learning

Coordinator

Wendy Bryant

Professional

Development

Coordinator

Nancy Loftis

Secretary

Alisha McCollum

Media

Coordinator

Klaus Neu

Administrative

Assistant

Toccara Pearson

Information

Technology

Specialist

Rob Pollan


Her name is Laura. Laura entered adult education around 1989 and fell under the tutelage of Barbara Flake and Shirley Paige. Laura’s former educators (now men-tors and life-long friends) described her as a shy student who didn’t say much but had a desire to learn. This was evident in her diligence to come to class and the effort she put into her education. Laura admitted that she had struggles and barriers which impacted her from birth. She stated that her barriers were minimized when she came to adult education due to the efforts of the educational staff. She shared with us how both Ms. Flake and Ms. Paige took extra time to help her beyond their job duties and beyond their employment hours. What could not be denied was the love and deep appreciation Laura showed as she reflected on how her adult education experience changed her life.

Fast forward to 2018, Laura is now one of the most beloved employees, working as a book mail clerk with the Department of Finance and Admini-stration. As a mail room specialist, Laura takes pride in her work and co-workers who she says are her closest friends. Starting as a part-time em-ployee, Laura was promoted to full-time after her commitment to work was made clear to her supervisors. She has been with the DFA for over 29 years. Her supervisor and co-workers have nothing but positive things to say about Laura and describe her as an ultimate team player.

Laura did an excellent job of showing us why we do what we do. The in-vestments poured into Laura in the mid-1980’s have borne the fruit of a wealthy life. She stated how she valued having a career she enjoys, co-workers who value her, friends to hang out with after work and money to have her own place and live a life she enjoys.

As Laura left us with full hearts (and very few dry eyes), her visit was best

summed up by a participant who stated, “You being here today, saying

what you have said, seeing our purpose come full circle, has put a re-

newed sense of purpose in my spirit.” As we wish Laura the best in contin-

ued prosperity, we can never forget that we all may have the opportunity to

serve a “Laura” who deserves our best today for their better tomorrow.

Continued from page 5

Ms. Barbara Flake ( left ) with Ms.

Laura Schneider ( right )

7


Tech Talk

Note: To link to any web address (URL) in this newsletter, go to the AALRC's home page at http://aalrc.org, look up this newsletter, and then just click on the appropriate link.

Rosetta Stone

Smart List – you can use the Smart List function to quickly cre-ate a list of your students that you can use for various functions. For example, you can find all the students in your group that have not logged in since March 13th, 2018 and quickly deacti-vate all of them. In Administrator Tools, click Learners at the top-left, then click the + sign to create a new Smart List, then click Edit Smart List Rules. Selecting Group in the first search criteria, then Con-tains, then type in the name of your group. Then click the + sign to create another search criteria and select Last Activity Date, then "is on or before" and select your date in the next box. Next click Show Learners. This will find all your students that have not been active since March 13th, 2018. Next, click Change next to Untitled (under Learner Lists) and name your lists and press Save.

Now that you have created your List, go to Learner- then Learner List -

and you should see your new list at the bottom. Next click on Batch Op-

erations on the right side, then click Select a Learner List and select

your new list. From there select deactivate and then Apply to List. This

will deactivate students that have not logged in since March 13th, 2018.

This should be done periodically to free up licenses for other students.

8


Adult Learning Alliance (ALA) Board of Directors’ Road Trip

On Friday, August 17th, the Adult Learning Alliance Board of Directors boarded a Little Rock Tours bus and hit the road to visit four of our literacy councils. The first stop was the Literacy Council of White County in Searcy. Board members were treated to coffee and pastries and heard stories from a student, tutors, and board members. Director Dixie Evans shared with the Board what curriculums she is using and how each helps their students.

The next stop was the Literacy Council of Van Buren County in Clinton. Director Brenda Wood, students’ B and R, and tutor Seanna Garrow shared their stories and talked about the programs the Council has implemented and the struggles they are facing in a small, rural community. We loved hearing about the council’s collaboration with the food bank.

After a wonderful lunch in Clinton at L’Attitudes Bistro, we headed south to Conway to visit the Faulkner County office of Literacy Action of Central Arkansas. Board members heard from Director Aaran Matson, AmeriCorps members Michael Siniawa and Joy Stephens, and LACA Director Sara Drew. Both of LACA’s sites are located in community libraries and they have been successful at maximizing com-munity partnerships to provide services.

Our final stop was the Literacy Council of Garland County in Hot Springs. New Director Julie Hart and two of her new tutors/board members greeted us with sweets, questions, and new ideas she has for the program. As we prepared to depart, the sun finally came out after hiding behind rain most of the trip.

It was a long day; however, ALA Board Members left with a better understanding of the work our councils

do, the struggles they face to obtain funding, and the impact they make on our students’ lives each day.

AALRC Sponsors the AACAE Preconference, November 7th

Back row: Belinda Sanders, Kyle Elmore, Heather

Alamo, David George, Stephen Copley, Joe Burkett,

and Nancy Leonhardt. Front row: Cicily Tubb-

Warbington, Marsha Taylor, LaTonya Austin,

ShaRhonda Love, and Jessica Poynter

Josh Davies Chief Executive Officer, The Center for Work Ethic Development

The AALRC is proud to sponsor the AACAE Preconference on November 7th at the Hotel Hot Springs. Several participants at the Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE) Conference in the Spring were able to attend one of Josh’s sessions and realized he needed to come to Arkansas.

Josh will be presenting “Bring Your ‘A’ Game to Work” during a one-day ses-sion from 9 am – 4:30 pm. This is one session you don’t want to miss. Josh Davies is passionate about helping others make a difference in their lives, jobs, and community. Through his work as a speaker and trainer, he has engaged and encouraged professionals across North America, the Middle East, and Asia. An in-demand speaker, Josh gives keynote presentations and workshops to dozens of education, workforce, and corporate events annually. In preparation for the 2008 Democratic National Convention, he led the train-ing for all 10,000 volunteers and more than 4,000 local service professionals for the event. Training Magazine named him as one of the top 10 trainers under 40 in America and the Denver Business Journal tapped him as one of Denver’s 40 Under 40.

aacae and ala conference update - aalrc.org

Documents