Adult Basic Education

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Denton ISD, Adult Education and Literacy Program
In-service Training
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Adult Education and Literacy Learner Eligibility

• We can provide instruction below the
  postsecondary level for individuals
• Who are at least 16 years old
• Who are not enrolled in secondary school
• Who qualify under one or more of the following
• a. Lack mastery of basic educational skills
• b. Do not have a high school diploma or
  its equivalent
• c. Are unable to speak, read or write the
  English language

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Services in Denton ISD AEL

• GED
• Pre-GED
• ABE
• ESL
• Citizenship
• Basic math and computation skills
• Basic computer skills
• Assessment testing

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Sample ABE Learner Goals

• Attain employment and/or better their current
  employment
• Achieve high school equivalency (GED or H.S.
  Diploma)
• Attain skills necessary to enter post-secondary
  education and training
• Exit public welfare and become self-sufficient
• Learn to speak and write the English Language
• Master basic academic skills to help their
  children succeed in school
• Become U.S. citizens and participate in
  democratic society
• Gain self-esteem, personal confidence and sense
  of personal and civic responsibility

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Why focus on Workforce Education?
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Skills Gap Report

• In addition to shortages of various types of
  employees, manufacturers surveyed reported they
  are also dissatisfied with the skills of their
  current employees. 
• Among respondents to this national survey, nearly
  50 indicated their current employees have
  inadequate basic employability skills, such as
  attendance, timeliness and work ethic while 46
  reported inadequate problem solving skills among
  employees and 36 indicated insufficient reading,
  writing and communications skills.

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NEED

• 40 Of the people in the United States lack the
  basic skills necessary to obtain or retain
  employment
• 42 of Welfare to Work caseloads do not have a
  high school degree or equivalent (DHS TANF
  Report)
• 12 of Texans over 25 years old lack a high
  school degree or its equivalency. The average
  high school graduate earns 7,000 more than a
  high school dropout. (2010 Census)
• Major Texas employers report large costs to train
  and retrain employees whose lack of basic skills
  or ability to speak English are liabilities to
  the profit line.
• 36 of job applicants tested by major U.S. firms
  lacked the reading and math skills to do the job
  they sought.

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Did you know

• That over 75,000 individuals participate annually
  to upgrade their basic academic skills such as
  reading, writing, mathematics and English?
• Over 4,000 individuals are referred to ABE
  classes each year by employers?
• We serve adults with virtually no skills in
  English or math and have the ability to stay with
  them and teach them until they reach a 12th-grade
  level?
• Were able to come to the workplace to offer
  short-term classes OR were able to host classes
  at local ABE classrooms?

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AEL Workforce Education Goals

• To Provide quality workforce education training
• To provide quality curriculum development
• To establish an appropriate array of recommended
  on-site assessments
• To develop and identify model programs and best
  practices
• To collaborate with other government/private
  initiatives to share information and avoid
  duplication of services

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What can we offer to businesses?

• A Workforce Education coordinator
• Experienced and licensed instructors
• Full pre-assessment of learners and site
• Full post-assessments of learners goals and
  objectives
• Customized curriculum and training
• Quality English as a Second Language (ESL)
  instruction
• Reading and writing skills
• Flexibility
• Workforce Education Program plan including
  training agreement, schedules, curriculum summary
  and goals and objectives
• Reports written assessment of learners progress
  and future recommendations.

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What does a typical Workforce Education Program
look like?

• There is no typical Workforce Education Program.
• Each of our programs is uniquely tailored to the
  needs and specifications of the business.
• This includes identifying and teaching the basic
  skills the employer wishes to reinforce in the
  workplace.
• Examples include teacher and/or improving
  English skills, math skills for retail, or
  identifying and discussing cultural differences
  that may be interfering with expectations and
  communication.

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How are individual business needs met?

• DISD AEL is experienced in creating specialized
  curriculum
• We are connected to state-wide pool of
  information and experience
• We provide a customized curriculum that is
  intensive, well-paced and benefits the employees
  both professionally and personally.
• We understand that productivity is hinged on an
  employees ability to communicate with their
  supervisor and co-workers effectively.

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AEL Policies Regarding Workforce Education in ABE

• Workforce Education may include any of the
  basic skills curricula associated with typical
  ABE programs (GED, Basic Skills Brush-up, ESL,
  Civics/Citizenship), and the content level of the
  curricula must not extend beyond the high school
  level.
• Technical and vocational credit-based content
  that is normally associated with a postsecondary
  institution is not acceptable content for using
  ABE funds.