Adult Education and Family Literacy Act Program

DWD will carry out the following State Leadership Activities:

• The support of State or regional networks of literacy resource centers. DWD Adult Education partners with the state library as well as the local library alliance to share literacy resources.

• The development and implementation of technology applications, translation technology, or distance education, including professional development to support the use of instructional technology. DWD AE requires the use of Indiana Career Explorer, an online career assessment tool for all students during the first twelve hours of attendance. DWD continues to encourage a transition to online testing, promotes a hybrid delivery mode for distance education and allows the use of local funds for the other activities listed here.

• Developing content and models for integrated education and training and career pathways. DWD AE provides local AE providers with a framework for developing IET & IELCE services using the OCTAE developed IET and IELCE checklist. Through the state funded WorkINdiana program, DWD researches and shares with local providers training and certification programs that have potential as IET or IELCE programs. DWD will offer professional development around IET & IELCE implementation.

• The development and implementation of a system to assist in the transition from adult education to postsecondary education, including linkages with postsecondary educational institutions or institutions of higher education. In most workforce regions Adult Education classes are occurring on site of Ivy Tech Community College (ITCC) locations. A best practice that we are trying to replicate across the state is the ITCC rapid enrollment (this includes, placement testing, academic counseling, ability to complete financial aid application and schedule classes in one sitting) at AE sites for those students who are enrolling in credit bearing courses. Accuplacer, college readiness testing, can also be administered at AE sites.

• Activities to promote workplace adult education and literacy activities. DWD AE strongly encourages participation in activities around workplace education. This year’s grant continuation incentivizes this practice allocating at least five percent of available funding for these activities. DWD will offer professional development around how programs can expand work with employers to support increasing worksite AE classes.

• The development and implementation of programs and services to meet the needs of adult learners with learning disabilities or English language learners, which may include new and promising assessment tools and strategies that are based on scientifically valid research, where appropriate, and identify the needs and capture the gains of such students at the lowest achievement levels. Currently, DWD is using the following models/practices/tools as examples of programs and services to meet the needs of English language learners:
  • Burlington English being used by many sites for ELLs and low level learners;
  • AE sites partner with local literacy groups to co-enroll low level learners;
  • Testing and learning accommodations are offered;
  • Offer course leveling: low level learners are separated to get more targeted instruction

Indiana was chosen as recipient of the ESLPro federal Technical Assistance. As a result of this TA project, DWD is providing ESLPro training in two central locations during PY 2017-18. Additional training will be offered in subsequent program years.

Currently, DWD is using the following models/practices/tools as examples of programs and services to meet the needs of adult learners with learning disabilities:

• Many regions have a specific referral form to Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) when disabilities are identified
• VR representative attending all consortia meetings to understand AE
• VR and AE reciprocal training occurred at state and regional level

• Outreach to instructors, students, and employers.
  • Employers: Regional operators serve on AE consortia represent regional employers. Additionally, the DWD Business Service team will be utilized to outreach to local employers in need of AE services.
  • Students::In order to increase student recruitment, DWD has transitioned one employee to the position of outreach coordinator. The program began as a part of a state initiative but has now expanded. Each month all new unemployment compensation claimants who indicate they do not have a secondary credential are emailed information on contacting the AE Outreach Coordinator. The coordinator determines from interview what provider would best meet the students’ needs. In subsequent years we hope to expand this outreach to TANF, SNAP and Medicaid recipients who indicate they do not have a secondary credential.

• Other activities of statewide significance that promote the purpose of this title. DWD is engaging Community Based Organizations, who serve similar populations to better leverage resources. To date: DWD has made presentations to several Department of Child Services teams, Community Action programs, Immigrant Welcome and Support Centers, providers of Home Visiting and Early Childhood Education programs. At the State Level, DWD is reaching out to other State Agencies, such as Indiana State Department of Health, Indiana Department of Child Services and local providers of home visiting and early childhood education services to share information and discuss potential partnerships or collaborations.