Adult Basic Education Initiative:

California Adult Education

Adult Education Office

California Department of Education

Why Now? Why ABE?

Federal site review in 2001 and in 2008 recommended ABE program improvement

ABE performance has declined in past two years Public reports for the past several years have called

for improved adult education programs Number of Californians with less than high school

education has increased by 11 percent; number with less than a 9th grade education grown by 17 percent (2000 U.S. Census)

Adult Population without a high school diploma

California’s Literacy Need

Low Literacy Level-Low Earnings

Lower Literacy-Higher Poverty

“America’s Perfect Storm”

Inadequate literacy and numeracy skills among student and adult populations

Shift in the demographic profile powered by immigration

Evolution of the economy and nation’s job structure, requiring higher skills

“Half of America’s adults lack literacy skills needed for the 21st century.”

1973 1989 2004 % Change

ALL $27,618 $22,852 $20,700 -25

Education

<12 yrs, no diploma 22,686 15,998 16,000 -30

HS diploma/GED 30,819 22,854 21,000 -32

13-15 years 28,018 26,756 25,000 -9

Bachelor’s degree 35,390 36,565 35,000 -1

Master’s or higher 40,826 38,088 45,000 10

Note: Earnings for men 20 – 29 years. Wages are in 2004 dollars.

Decreased Earnings

“Reach Higher, America”

High school dropout rates are staggering Low literacy in burgeoning prison population Large and growing English language and literacy

need Focus on needs of the unemployed, low-skilled

works, immigrants, parents with low skills, dropouts, and grads not ready for college

Redefine the fundamentals of adult education

Report of the National Commission on Adult Literacy, June 2008www.nationalcommissiononadultliteracy.org/report.html

Scope of the ABE Initiative

Eighteen month initiative Statewide focus on ABE and transitions Coordinated efforts of CDE, field, and

leadership projects Based on data, research, and best practices

ABE Initiative Goals

Improve student learning outcomes Improve student transitions into and out of

ABE programs Improve quality of classroom instruction Improve support for ABE students Increase enrollment of ABE students

Desired Outcomes

Student Level – Increased enrollment of under-represented

populations– Improved student learning outcomes

Agency Level– Improved quality of classroom instruction– Improved student transitions

State Level – Established state-level partnerships

ABE Initiative Resources

Targeted technical assistance Customized state, agency, class and student level

data and analysis Research-based study circles and other professional

development activities Networking opportunities Access to ABE specific curriculum and instruction

resources