Creating a Successful Transitions Program In Ten Easy Steps

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Creating a Successful Transitions Program In
Ten Easy Steps

• Julie Scoskie, Director
• Joyce Griffith, Specialist
• Jefferson County Public Schools
• Adult and Continuing Education

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Our Goals Today

• Learn the 10 steps that will enable you to
  Develop a Successful Transitions Program
• Discuss the Ongoing Process to Maintain the
  Program and Its Successes

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Step 1Create an Advisory Council

• Recruit stakeholders
• Local Business Leaders
• Workforce Investment Board Members
• Chamber of Commerce Leaders
• Library Officials
• Local Education Leaders (all levels, public and
  private)
• Elected Officials
• Be prepared
• Do your homework (know the statistics and
  benefits to them and their constituents)
• Use the Groups Expertise
• Ask them to identify resources and gaps

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Step 2 Make the Pitch

• Request a meeting with college leaders
• Sell them on the benefits (GED recipients are
  their future students)
• Discuss areas of collaboration
• Outline areas of similarity (vision and mission)
• Explain what you can offer and why it is
  beneficial
• Share credentials
• Exert a willingness to work together/not take
  over
• Agree to ground rules including financial support
  

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Step 3 Get It In Writing

• Jointly draft a Memorandum of Understanding that
• Clearly details roles and responsibilities
• Ensures that the collaboration will survive
  changes in leadership
• Eliminates misunderstandings
• Ensures that the partnership will be mutually
  beneficial

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Step 4 Collaborate with Faculty

• Ask college faculty and Adult Education
  instructors to form a committee to guide
  assessment, curriculum development, alignment,
  and determine cut scores for referral.
• Discuss how to facilitate the transition of GED
  recipients to college
• College Bound Program
• Scholarships to College
• Introduction to College

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Step 5 Integrate Adult Education to the College
Structure

• Re-brand Adult Education Services
• Market components of the partnership
• Hold Adult Education classes on campus
• Mirror the colleges schedule and format (Ex. Use
  a syllabus)
• Utilize campus and Adult Education support
  services
• Enter the transition courses into the colleges
  data base and student information into the
  Adult Education data base
• Have students take both the Adult Education and
  the Colleges assessments

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Step 6 Pilot the Partnership

• Introduce one subject (math, English, reading, or
  ESL) at a time
• Identify gaps
• Determine what works and what doesnt work
• Refine the program based on feedback from all
  stakeholders

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Step 7 Combine Processes
Collect, Report, and Use Data

• Track and report student progress
• Demographics
• Assessment Scores
• Retention
• Course Completion
• Certificate/Degree Completion
• Build on Successes

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Step 8 Communicate

• Conduct formal monthly meetings with leadership
  and other staff members from Adult Education and
  the College (Record minutes.)
• Identify point persons for day-to-day operations
• Keep stakeholders informed of progress
• Advisory Council
• Adult Education Staff
• College Staff
• College Advisors
• Admissions Counselors
• Students
• Community

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Step 9 Continue to Adapt and Refine

• Monitor data and gather feedback
• Maintain a willingness to adapt to meet changing
  needs and shifting student populations
• Plan for Continuous Improvement

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Step 10 Celebrate Success

• Use the data and student success to publicize the
  program, recruit students, apply for additional
  funding, and gain recognition for both
  institutions
• Share best practices
• Take a deep breath, go back to Step 4 and repeat

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Questions?
To find out moreGo to http//www.ged4u.com
and click on Transition to Postsecondary
Education