PREPARING FOR THE PARADIGM SHIFT: STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR A CULTURE OF TRANSITIONS

1. Presenters: Dionne Maxie, M.A. Crystal L. Bessix, MBA Lone Star College System Adult Education Program PREPARING FOR THE PARADIGM SHIFT: STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR A CULTURE OF TRANSITIONS National College Transitions Network: 7th Annual Effective Transitions in Adult Education Conference

2. SESSION OBJECTIVES: This session is designed to explore the fundamentals of crafting strategy, implementing processes, and the elements of a productive culture. Participants will: • Learn about transition and how it will impact administrators, teachers, and students • Identify the elements that can create a culture of transition • Examine the components of a strategy including identifying goals, objectives, tasks, outcomes, and accountability measures • Evaluate current processes for effectiveness and optimal performance • Finally, create the template for an action plan for transition that can be used at your organization Presenters: Dionne Maxie, M.A. Crystal L. Bessix, MBA Lone Star College System Adult Education Program

3. THE PARADIGM SHIFT OF ADULT EDUCATION Disconnected Integrated Clarity of vision Role Clarity A part of the big picture Informed Value/worth increase Better service quality Seamless process • Misplaced • Student pathway unclear • Can’t see the big picture • Much speculation about program goals • Efforts are not valued • Mismanagement of time and efforts • Role uncertainty Presenters: Dionne Maxie, M.A. Crystal L. Bessix, MBA Lone Star College System Adult Education Program

4. IMPORTANCE OF TRANSITIONS The Importance of Transitions Presenters: Dionne Maxie, M.A. Crystal L. Bessix, MBA Lone Star College System Adult Education Program

5. UNDERSTANDING TRANSITIONS Presenters: Dionne Maxie, M.A. Crystal L. Bessix, MBA Lone Star College System Adult Education Program

6. STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT PROCESS Presenters: Dionne Maxie, M.A. Crystal L. Bessix, MBA Lone Star College System Adult Education Program

7. FUTURE-BACK STRATEGY: 4 CRITICAL THINKING QUESTIONS Presenters: Dionne Maxie, M.A. Crystal L. Bessix, MBA Lone Star College System Adult Education Program

8. WHAT COULD BE?TRANSITIONS MODELS • Advising Model • The goal of the Advising model is to raise students’ awareness of postsecondary education options and their understanding of the admissions processes. Key features include: • Dissemination of information through presentations and workshops, and • Follow-up through individual advising • Advising models vary in intensity from as little as a few hours of student contact to programs that have a well-planned “hand-off” or follow students into postsecondary education. • Strengths and limitations for this model include: Presenters: Dionne Maxie, M.A. Crystal L. Bessix, MBA Lone Star College System Adult Education Program

9. WHAT COULD BE?TRANSITIONS MODELS GED-Plus Model The goal of the GED-Plus model is to accelerate learning for adult education students interested in pursuing postsecondary education. Key features of this model include: Alignment of the GED curriculum to include academic or student success skills needed for entry into postsecondary education with concurrent preparation for the GED. Strengths and limitations for this model include: Presenters: Dionne Maxie, M.A. Crystal L. Bessix, MBA Lone Star College System Adult Education Program

10. WHAT COULD BE?TRANSITIONS MODELS • ESOL Model • The goal of the ESOL model is to reduce the time and expense of additional ESOL/ESL coursework at the start of the student’s college career. Key features of this model are: • A focus on advancing language skills required for academic settings with little or no math preparation • A high program intensity, and • A well-articulated curricula with clear academic benchmarks for admittance • Strengths and limitations for this model include: Presenters: Dionne Maxie, M.A. Crystal L. Bessix, MBA Lone Star College System Adult Education Program

11. WHAT COULD BE?TRANSITIONS MODELS • Career Pathways Model • The goal of the Career Pathways model is to get students with limited education into advanced training and college-level programs in high-wage and high-growth employment sectors. Key features of this model include: • Accelerated learning for adult education students interested in pursuing postsecondary education • Teaching and learning of basic education through contextualized technical skill development • Multiple levels of instruction • Curriculum that is “chunked” to create clear steppingstones that are recognized by employers and coincide with academic and career advancement pathways, and • Intensive support services tailored to the expected challenges of the specific pathway (e.g., intensive support in math and sciences for high-tech careers) • Strengths and limitations for this model include: Presenters: Dionne Maxie, M.A. Crystal L. Bessix, MBA Lone Star College System Adult Education Program

12. WHAT COULD BE?TRANSITIONS MODELS • College Prep Model • The goal of the College Preparatory or “College Prep” model is to allow students to successfully transition into college-level courses or, at the very least, begin their college career at the upper tier of developmental education. Key features of this model include: • Direct instruction to address the gaps between the knowledge and skills required to complete adult education and those needed for success in college • Learning environments that teach college success skills by simulating a college environment in terms of class format, expectations, scheduling, etc. • Comprehensive counseling, and • Student cohorts or learning communities • Strengths and limitations for this model include: Presenters: Dionne Maxie, M.A. Crystal L. Bessix, MBA Lone Star College System Adult Education Program

13. WHAT SHOULD BE? Transitions Program Model Presenters: Dionne Maxie, M.A. Crystal L. Bessix, MBA Lone Star College System Adult Education Program

14. WHAT SHOULD BE?

15. WHAT SHOULD BE?ACTIVITY Presenters: Dionne Maxie, M.A. Crystal L. Bessix, MBA Lone Star College System Adult Education Program

16. WHAT IS?SWOT ANALYSIS Complete an analysis on your Adult Education program. Identify the internal strengths and weaknesses first. Then examine the external opportunities and threats facing your organization. Presenters: Dionne Maxie, M.A. Crystal L. Bessix, MBA Lone Star College System Adult Education Program

17. WHAT IS?The Current Situation Presenters: Dionne Maxie, M.A. Crystal L. Bessix, MBA Lone Star College System Adult Education Program

18. WHAT WILL BE?PROCESS ANALYSIS Take a look at your current processes that may inhibit or support retention and attendance. What roadblocks are present in the process that prevents student success? How would you improve those processes?

19. ACTION PLAN TEMPLATE

20. PREPARING FOR THE PARADIGM SHIFT: STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR A CULTURE OF TRANSITIONS References • National College Transition Network (NCTN). (2008) The College Transition Toolkit. • http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paradigm • http://www.taketheleap.com/define.html • http://www.agilemind.com.au/curriculum-mapping.php Contact Us: Dionne Maxie, MA GED/ESL Distance Learning Instructor Lone Star College System Adult Education Program dionne.r.maxie@lonestar.edu Crystal L. Bessix, MBA GED/ESL Distance Learning Instructor Lone Star College System Adult Education Program crystal.l.bessix@lonestar.edu