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Far West GREAT Advisory Council. September 26, 2006 Head Start Multipurpose Center. Agenda. New Business Evaluation of Recent Activities Proposed Activities and Schedule for 2006-2007 Learning Disabilities Statewide Initiative and State Assessment Policy (Blanca Andrade)
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Far West GREAT Advisory Council September 26, 2006 Head Start Multipurpose Center
Agenda • New Business • Evaluation of Recent Activities • Proposed Activities and Schedule for 2006-2007 • Learning Disabilities Statewide Initiative and State Assessment Policy (Blanca Andrade) • Credential Model Updates • Texas Adult Education Standards Pilot • Ysleta Distance Education Pilot • EPALL IV Conference update
Introductions • Leticia (Lety) Jones, new Administrative Assistant for Project GREAT ljones01@sisd.net 937-1725
Summer Trainings • Learning Disabilities Training for Socorro, San Jacinto, and Ysleta • 48 teachers were trained on the basic techniques to address the needs of LD students • Classroom Management Institute • 26 teachers explored basic motivational strategies and used the complete teaching learning cycle
New Teacher Academy- Begins Oct. 7 • We are still looking for teachers • Mentors • Teaching Action Plan • 4 Saturdays, mentor time, and preparation for Action Plan • 38 hours of PD
ABE/GED Master Teacher—Begins November 11 • New Academy for Experienced GED instructors • Max. 12 • Evaluate recent research in ABE and develop an Action Learning Plan • 3 Saturdays
GED Math Academy-Begins March 30 • Latest Research on GED Math • Problem Solving • Geometry • Data Analysis • Algebra
GED Reading Academy—Begins January 12 • For all GED teachers • Latest research on Reading in Adults • Classroom Strategies • Strategies for Multilevel Classrooms • Technology and Reading
ESL Listening And Speaking Academy--Spring • New Academy focused on conversation and lower level students • Led by Heide Wrigley • Dates TBD
ESL Teaching with Technology Academy -- Spring • Improving teacher presentation through use of technology • Internet strategies • Text-to speech and Speech to text • Using graphics
Workforce Literacy Academy • Working with Barbara Tondre on developing a theme for the Academy • Possible focus: how to improve ESL instruction with a workforce focus. • Utilize experience from the pilots going on around the state found in the Adult Education’s Report to Rider 82
Rider 82 Report • The report described below is now available on Texas LEARNS' Workforce Partnerships web page.http://www-tcall.tamu.edu/litresources/workres.htmCharting a Course: Responding to the Industry-Related Adult Basic Education Needs of the Limited English Proficient (Tondre, 2006). This summary report of findings was assembled in an effort to chart a course for Texas LEARNS’ response to Rider 82 (79th State Legislative Session). Adult Education’s response to the legislative mandate, labor market information, input from business and industry, and interagency dialogue focuses on that segment of the Texas worker population hardest to serve – the limited English proficient.
Update Learning Disabilities Statewide Initiative and State Assessment Policy (Blanca Andrade)
Credential Model Updates • New: The first teacher in Texas already completed the 150 points necessary for the Credential • 6 teachers in our area are ready to go. 4 still need to submit PD plan • I have received 2 requests for a new PDPW from teachers. We are tentatively planning a training for the early Spring if interest continues.
Standards Pilot • We have 5 teachers in our region participating in the pilot: 3 from Ysleta, 1 from Socorro, and 1 from San Jacinto • They have been in contact with the pilot administrators, and developed a lesson plan based on the standard they have chosen to pilot.
Content Standards (cont’d) • According to Texas LEARNS the new standards will probably go into effect 2007-2008. • The standards will not be mandatory, but programs will be required to show that they have an equivalent or better set of standards of their own.
Ysleta YCLC Distance Education Pilot • Since March 6, Ysleta has been participating in an ESOL distance education pilot. • Ysleta recruited 32 students for this pilot: 22 from their evening program and 10 were brand new students who had no prior experience with adult education and distance learning. • This distance project will come to and end August 31. All participants will be post-tested to assess progress in English.
Distance Ed. (cont’d) Evaluation by Maria Cesnik, YCLC
Distance Education for 2006-07 • Continuation of the Ysleta Pilot • Texas LEARNS won’t know until November whether or not there is extra money to continue the pilot begun last year. Some funds may become available. • The GREAT Center included funds in its grant for the development of a new distance pilot.
Distance Education– Sed de Saber • This week Texas LEARNS announced the delivery of 53 units of the Sed de Saber ESL platform, divided equally among El Paso, Ysleta, and Socorro ISDs. • The GREAT Center is proposing using the funds that it had earmarked for distance learning to support the Sed de Saber Initiative.
Sed de Saber ™ • Sed de Saber™ (Thirst for Knowledge) is an ESL program which utilizes an interactive, self-paced, and take home format to provide multi-sensory English language learning designed specifically for the Hispanic adult. It is designed specifically for Hispanic workers in food service and hospitality. A seven minute online video at this website provides information about the history and design.http://www.retentioned.com/ • You will be expected to find and work with an employer or employers who will select very low literate Spanish-speaking adult employees to participate. The participants will be required to take your test (BEST or BEST Plus) and an over the phone test with the publisher
Distance Education (cont’d) • GREAT Center funds would be used to provide some training to teachers and program administrators on providing a distance program. • 1 teacher per program • Distance Learning Training for teachers • Support for distance learners
EPALL Update • 32 presentations • Teachers from Ysleta, Socorro, and AVANCE to present • Family Literacy Center has two presentations geared for Even Start • Workforce Strand (Anson Green and Barbara Tondre)
EPALL IV • October 27-28, Camino Real Hotel • Luncheon speaker invited: Erik Jacobson • Registration deadline: September 27
Date of Next Meeting Tuesday, January 16 2007