GEDs to PhDsGEDs to PhDs

How can Adult Education, Literacy, and ESL How can Adult Education, Literacy, and ESL Programs Successfully Transition GED Students Programs Successfully Transition GED Students into Postsecondary Education and Training?into Postsecondary Education and Training?

Jefferson County Public Schools Adult and Continuing EducationJefferson County Public Schools Adult and Continuing Education

Jefferson County KentuckyJefferson County Kentucky

Julie ScoskieJulie Scoskie

Joyce GriffithJoyce Griffith

Helping our students stay in the game . . .Helping our students stay in the game . . . 11

ObjectivesObjectives

Explore factors that may impact the successful Explore factors that may impact the successful transition of GED students to postsecondary transition of GED students to postsecondary education and trainingeducation and training

Identify ways that programs can promote student Identify ways that programs can promote student success in transitioningsuccess in transitioning

Review aspects of the Jefferson County Public Review aspects of the Jefferson County Public Schools Adult Education Program Schools Adult Education Program

Share ideasShare ideas

22

Where to begin. . .Where to begin. . .

Analyze the current systemAnalyze the current system

Review program dataReview program data

Profile studentsProfile students

Know the communityKnow the community

Identify resourcesIdentify resources

Review the researchReview the research

Establish the playing fieldEstablish the playing field. . . . .. 33

ResearchResearch

44

90% of the fastest-growing jobs will require some 90% of the fastest-growing jobs will require some postsecondary educationpostsecondary education

The median earnings of a U.S. worker with only a The median earnings of a U.S. worker with only a high school diploma are 37% less than those of a high school diploma are 37% less than those of a worker with a bachelor’s degreeworker with a bachelor’s degree

2008 GED Testing Program Statistical 2008 GED Testing Program Statistical Report: GED TestiReport: GED Testing ng ServiceService

55

Nationwide approximately 51% of GED test Nationwide approximately 51% of GED test takers report a goal of entering collegetakers report a goal of entering college

Another 23% report a goal of entering vocational Another 23% report a goal of entering vocational or technical trainingor technical training

An additional 9% report entering a certificate An additional 9% report entering a certificate program as a goalprogram as a goal

(Continued)(Continued)

66

Only 30-35% of GED recipients actually enter Only 30-35% of GED recipients actually enter postsecondary educationpostsecondary education

Tyler,J., What Do We Know About the Economic Tyler,J., What Do We Know About the Economic Benefits of the GED?Benefits of the GED?

77

What skills do our students need to be What skills do our students need to be successful in postsecondary successful in postsecondary education/training or employment? education/training or employment?

88

What Work Requires of Schools What Work Requires of Schools A SCANS Report for America, 2000A SCANS Report for America, 2000

99

SCANSSCANSFive (Workplace) CompetenciesFive (Workplace) Competencies

ResourcesResourcesIdentifies, organizes, plans, and allocates resourcesIdentifies, organizes, plans, and allocates resources

InterpersonalInterpersonal Works with othersWorks with others

InformationInformationAcquires and evaluates informationAcquires and evaluates information

SystemsSystems Understands complex interrelationshipsUnderstands complex interrelationships

TechnologyTechnologyWorks with a variety of technologiesWorks with a variety of technologies

1010

Foundation SCANS Skills and Personal Foundation SCANS Skills and Personal QualitiesQualities

Basic Skills – reading, writing, mathematics, Basic Skills – reading, writing, mathematics, listening, speakinglistening, speaking

Thinking Skills – creative thinking, decision Thinking Skills – creative thinking, decision making, problem solving, visualizing, knowing making, problem solving, visualizing, knowing how to learn, reasoninghow to learn, reasoning

Personal Qualities – responsibility, self-esteem, Personal Qualities – responsibility, self-esteem, sociability, self management, integrity/honestysociability, self management, integrity/honesty

1111

Equipped For the Future (EFF) Equipped For the Future (EFF) Research ReportResearch Report

Building the Framework, 1993-1997Building the Framework, 1993-1997

1212

(EFF(EFF))Four Purposes for LearningFour Purposes for Learning

Access: To gain access to information and Access: To gain access to information and resources so that adults can orient themselves in resources so that adults can orient themselves in the worldthe world

Voice: To express ideas and opinions with the Voice: To express ideas and opinions with the confidence they will be heard and taken into confidence they will be heard and taken into accountaccount

Action: To solve problems and make decisions Action: To solve problems and make decisions without having to rely on others to mediate the without having to rely on others to mediate the world for themworld for them

Bridge to the Future: Learning to learn so that Bridge to the Future: Learning to learn so that adults can be prepared to keep up with the world adults can be prepared to keep up with the world as it changesas it changes

1313

Educational and Labor Market Performance Educational and Labor Market Performance of GED Recipients, Feb. 1998of GED Recipients, Feb. 1998

Office of Educational Research and Improvement, US Department of Office of Educational Research and Improvement, US Department of EducationEducation

““Lack of persistence is an important factor that Lack of persistence is an important factor that differentiates high school graduates from non-differentiates high school graduates from non-graduates. . . . .GED recipients have lower graduates. . . . .GED recipients have lower postsecondary graduation rates, higher attrition rates postsecondary graduation rates, higher attrition rates in the military, higher job turnover and less work in the military, higher job turnover and less work experience. . . . experience. . . . Intensive counseling interventions Intensive counseling interventions that reinforce persistence may improve outcomes for that reinforce persistence may improve outcomes for students in general.students in general.

1414

(Continued)(Continued)

““After controlling for education level or ability, the After controlling for education level or ability, the GED credential has little direct effect on wages, GED credential has little direct effect on wages, annual earnings and employment, particularly for annual earnings and employment, particularly for males and non-whites. The positive effects on job-males and non-whites. The positive effects on job-related outcomes seem to derive from the related outcomes seem to derive from the postsecondary education and job training available postsecondary education and job training available to those who pass the test. . . . . . .to those who pass the test. . . . . . .policymakers policymakers may wish to consider alternative programs, such as may wish to consider alternative programs, such as high school completion programs, that offer high school completion programs, that offer dropouts the benefits of structure, rigor and dropouts the benefits of structure, rigor and longevity found in regular high school programslongevity found in regular high school programs. .

1515

(Continued)(Continued)Key IssuesKey Issues

Between 50 and 63% of GED graduates enroll in 2-4 yr colleges, Between 50 and 63% of GED graduates enroll in 2-4 yr colleges, vocational schools, apprenticeship programs, or on-the-job- vocational schools, apprenticeship programs, or on-the-job- training, and another 10% enter military trainingtraining, and another 10% enter military training

Of those who sought vocational training, only 45% graduatedOf those who sought vocational training, only 45% graduated

Of those who sought an associate’s degree, only 12.2% Of those who sought an associate’s degree, only 12.2% graduatedgraduated

GED recipients were only half as likely to earn an associate’s GED recipients were only half as likely to earn an associate’s degree as a high school graduate (GPAs were comparable) degree as a high school graduate (GPAs were comparable)

1616

What can we do about it?What can we do about it?

1717

New England Adult Learner Persistence New England Adult Learner Persistence ProjectProject

NCSALL Researchers Comings, Parrella, and SoriconeNCSALL Researchers Comings, Parrella, and Soricone

1818

Four Key Supports of Adult Learner PersistenceFour Key Supports of Adult Learner Persistence

Using the goal set by the student as the context for Using the goal set by the student as the context for instruction and then reviewing and revising the goal as instruction and then reviewing and revising the goal as needed.needed.

Helping students develop an understanding of the negative Helping students develop an understanding of the negative and positive forces that affect their persistence and building and positive forces that affect their persistence and building on that understanding, helping them make plans to manage on that understanding, helping them make plans to manage those forces and build up positive onesthose forces and build up positive ones

Fostering students’ self-efficacy regarding goal attainment Fostering students’ self-efficacy regarding goal attainment and the academic achievement it entailsand the academic achievement it entails

Instituting assessment procedures that allow students to Instituting assessment procedures that allow students to assess their progress toward their goals on a regular basisassess their progress toward their goals on a regular basis

1919

With your group, identify four (4) skills that students need to With your group, identify four (4) skills that students need to be successful in postsecondary education/training or work be successful in postsecondary education/training or work situations.situations. Prioritize them from the most to the least important.Prioritize them from the most to the least important.Share what your program is doing or will do to help students Share what your program is doing or will do to help students acquire the prioritized skills. acquire the prioritized skills.

ActivityActivity

2020

It’s more than the GED!It’s more than the GED!

• Postsecondary Education

• Employment/Training

• Lifelong Learning

2121

CommunicateCommunicate the message! the message!

To all the players . . . . To all the players . . . .

The game is changing. . . .The game is changing. . . .2222

The Jefferson County ModelThe Jefferson County ModelOrientationOrientation

LiteracyLiteracyLeveled InstructionLeveled Instruction

GED ExpressGED ExpressCollege BoundCollege Bound

EESEESEnglish as a Second LanguageEnglish as a Second Language

Specialized ServicesSpecialized Services

2323

Getting StartedGetting Started

Our team identified and prioritized skills neededOur team identified and prioritized skills neededOrganization and time managementOrganization and time management

Critical thinking skills and self-efficacyCritical thinking skills and self-efficacy

Problem solvingProblem solving

TechnologyTechnology

We aligned our system to embed those skillsWe aligned our system to embed those skillsAttendance policyAttendance policy

Learner contractsLearner contracts

HomeworkHomework

Computer labsComputer labs

2424

OrientationOrientationStudents make choices about their learning Students make choices about their learning optionsoptions

Goal settingGoal setting

Learning styles and self-advocacyLearning styles and self-advocacy

Time managementTime management

Discussion of barriersDiscussion of barriers

Expectations of the programExpectations of the program

Appropriate assessmentAppropriate assessment

Individual advisingIndividual advising

Student Services CenterStudent Services CenterOn-going support for studentsOn-going support for students

Referrals to partners in the community for Referrals to partners in the community for assistance with barriers, college information, etc.assistance with barriers, college information, etc.

2525

InstructionInstruction

Managed EnrollmentManaged EnrollmentClasses have set start dates and end datesClasses have set start dates and end dates

Standardized curriculum based on state standardsStandardized curriculum based on state standards

Technology is embeddedTechnology is embedded

Open labs are provided for extra practice and tutoring Open labs are provided for extra practice and tutoring

Homework is expectedHomework is expected

Attendance and punctuality are expected Attendance and punctuality are expected

Specialized classes and services are available for Specialized classes and services are available for struggling or at-risk studentsstruggling or at-risk students

2626

LiteracyLiteracy

Read KentuckyRead Kentucky

Louisville Learns Louisville Learns TABE scores below 4.0TABE scores below 4.0

Reading and math instructionReading and math instruction

Universal designUniversal design

Small classesSmall classes

Power PathPower PathDesigned to provide strategies specific to identified Designed to provide strategies specific to identified learning differences learning differences

Includes vision and auditory screeningsIncludes vision and auditory screenings

Empowers students to learn how to learnEmpowers students to learn how to learn

2727

GED ExpressGED Express

Provides an intense (32-hour) GED preparation Provides an intense (32-hour) GED preparation course designed for higher level students who course designed for higher level students who need the GED quickly for work or postsecondary need the GED quickly for work or postsecondary educationeducation

May also serve as an incentive for intermediate May also serve as an incentive for intermediate students to “Hop on the Express!” students to “Hop on the Express!”

Requires highly motivated instructors and Requires highly motivated instructors and studentsstudents

Travels to community locations “Coming to your Travels to community locations “Coming to your area soon!” area soon!”

Has GED pass rates of 82-100%Has GED pass rates of 82-100%

Provides information on postsecondary educationProvides information on postsecondary education2828

College BoundCollege Bound

Provides Introduction to College (GE 100), a free Provides Introduction to College (GE 100), a free one-credit hour course specifically designed for one-credit hour course specifically designed for first time or first generation college students first time or first generation college students

Encourages students to enroll in the college once Encourages students to enroll in the college once they have passed the Official Practice Testthey have passed the Official Practice Test

Offers the opportunity to enroll in additional Offers the opportunity to enroll in additional classesclasses

Taught both on the local campus and in our Taught both on the local campus and in our Learning CentersLearning Centers

2929

EESEESEducational Enrichment ServicesEducational Enrichment Services

A program designed to assist students whose A program designed to assist students whose COMPASS scores are below the normal range for COMPASS scores are below the normal range for developmental courses at the collegedevelopmental courses at the college

Courses (math, reading, or ESL) appear on the Courses (math, reading, or ESL) appear on the student’s schedule just like any other college classstudent’s schedule just like any other college class

Taught by adult education instructorsTaught by adult education instructorsOffered freeOffered freeMirror college classesMirror college classes

Students may be enrolled in other classes at the Students may be enrolled in other classes at the college college

3030

English as a Second LanguageEnglish as a Second Language

International GED classInternational GED classServes international students who want to pass the GED in Serves international students who want to pass the GED in EnglishEnglish

EESEESOffered free in partnership with the local community Offered free in partnership with the local community collegecollege

Taught by adult education instructors on the college campusTaught by adult education instructors on the college campus

Grammar, reading and conversation classes designed to Grammar, reading and conversation classes designed to assist ESL learners to gain the skills needed to succeed in assist ESL learners to gain the skills needed to succeed in an academic programan academic program

3131

Other ServicesOther ServicesGrantsGrants

Kentucky Can ($8000 grant to transition 50 GED Kentucky Can ($8000 grant to transition 50 GED students to postsecondary education)students to postsecondary education)

PartnershipsPartnershipsKentuckiana College Access Center: Connects Kentuckiana College Access Center: Connects students with colleges and provides assistance with students with colleges and provides assistance with financial aidfinancial aidJefferson County Community and Technical College Jefferson County Community and Technical College Louisville Free Public Library: Pays half of the cost of Louisville Free Public Library: Pays half of the cost of the GED to students who have a library cardthe GED to students who have a library cardLocal One-Stops (Workforce Investment Boards)Local One-Stops (Workforce Investment Boards)

ScholarshipsScholarshipsActively seek and communicate scholarship Actively seek and communicate scholarship opportunities to studentsopportunities to students

3232

One bite at a time. . .One bite at a time. . .

Continually improve the program. . .Continually improve the program. . .

Measure successMeasure success

Survey studentsSurvey students

3333

Everybody wins!Everybody wins!

3434

QuestionsQuestions & Comments& Comments

For more information contactFor more information contactJoyce GriffithJoyce Griffith

(502) 485-7024 or(502) 485-7024 or joyce.griffith@jefferson.kyschools.usjoyce.griffith@jefferson.kyschools.us

Julie ScoskieJulie Scoskie(502) 485-3816 or (502) 485-3816 or

jscoskie@adulted.win.netjscoskie@adulted.win.netor visitor visit

workforcetraining4u.comworkforcetraining4u.com3535