The Landscape

• The Limited English Proficient (LEP) Hispanic population is between 10,000,000 – 15,000,000. (U.S. Department of Education, 2003)

• Hispanics are the nation’s largest and fastest growing minorityHispanics are the nation’s largest and fastest growing minority

population, increasing by 60% from 1990-2000 to 40,000,000.population, increasing by 60% from 1990-2000 to 40,000,000. (U.S. Census Bureau 2000)(U.S. Census Bureau 2000)

• The Hispanic labor force is growing four to five times fasterThe Hispanic labor force is growing four to five times faster than non-Hispanic workers. than non-Hispanic workers. (U.S. Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2004)(U.S. Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2004)

• The Hispanic English as a Second Language (ESL) population isThe Hispanic English as a Second Language (ESL) population is 30,000,000 people. 30,000,000 people. (NALS, 2000)(NALS, 2000)

The Challenge

• “Learning English is the single most critical factor in workforce advancement, improved income, and reducing poverty among working immigrants and their families.”

(Source: Urban Institute, 2004)

• ““Worker turnover is likely to cost U.S. Worker turnover is likely to cost U.S. businesses morebusinesses more than $600 billion over the next two years.”than $600 billion over the next two years.” (One Straight Line, March 11, 2004)(One Straight Line, March 11, 2004) • ““Labor is the number one issue facing operators Labor is the number one issue facing operators today.”today.” (Workforce Solutions, 2003)(Workforce Solutions, 2003)

Industry is Asking for Help

• Customer Service Quality • Customer, Employee Safety • Worker Loyalty• Employee Retention• Promoting from Within• Recruitment (Labor and New Customers)• Consumer & Community Relations

L.E.P. Hispanics are Asking

for Help

• Communication: Self-confidence• Enhanced Job Performance• Career Advancement Opportunities

• BoH > FoH > Management > Ownership• Increased Household Incomes

– Send-Back to country of origin– Better Life for Children– Higher Education

• Ability to Help Kids in School

The Solution

• Sed de Saber (Thirst for Knowledge)

• Adult English as a Second Language (ESL) Curriculum

• Enhanced LeapFrog Quantum Pad w/ Microphone

• Fun, Familiar, Friendly Technology

• Six Books & Cartridges, Batteries, Power Adapter, Headset, Case

• Record / Playback / Compare Voice

• Functional Conversation &

Comprehension in 4 Months

• $325, Infinitely Re-Usable

The Ingredients

• Workplace Context

• 500 Vocabulary Words, 340 Phrases

• Lifeskills Content

• Parent-Teacher Conferences, Doctor, Banking, etc.

• Educational, Learning Standards

• Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System (CASAS)

• U.S. Department of Education

• Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS)

• U.S. Department of Labor

Why It Works

• Learning on their own terms

• Self-Paced

• Average 30 minutes per day x 4 months (paced evaluations)

• At Home

• Voluntary Benefit vs. Mandatory Training (Off Clock, No Payroll $)

• Comfort, Privacy of Home

• Games, Novela = Fun = Results

• Confidence to Practice, Develop, Improve Pronunciation

• Family Learns English Together

• Customized for Hispanic adults with limited English proficiency

Quantitative Measures: English Language

LearningAverage gain in English language proficiency: 67%

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10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Average Pre-Study Score Average Post-Study Score

 

Qualitative Measures: User

Feedback

 

95%95% - “…is - “…is easyeasy to use.” to use.”

96%96% - “…has - “…has helpedhelped me learn English.” me learn English.”

95%95% - “… - “…increased increased confidenceconfidence in speaking English in speaking English at at work.”work.”

94%94% - “…boost to my - “…boost to my personal and professional personal and professional developmentdevelopment.”.”

94%94% - “…has been - “…has been a a worthwhileworthwhile investment in my investment in my career.”career.”

99%99% - “…demonstrates - “…demonstrates my employer’s my employer’s commitmentcommitment to to me.” me.”

95%95% - “…I feel - “…I feel more more connectedconnected to my employer.” to my employer.”

96%96% - “…overall, has been - “…overall, has been a a positivepositive experience.” experience.”

97%97% - “… - “…I would I would recommendrecommend that others participate in that others participate in SdS.”SdS.”

Employer Feedback: Increased Promotions

Employees who gain English language proficiency can move up: Retention Education customers report that 31% of their Sed de Saber users are promoted or promotable in just 4 months.

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5%

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15%

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30%

35%

Pre-SdS Post-SdS

Employer Feedback: Reduced Turnover

Employees are staying longer and are more career-oriented: Retention Education customers report an 83% average annualized reduction in turnover among their Sed de Saber users.

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20%

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100%

120%

Industry Turnover (NRA) Turnover, Sed de SaberParticipants

325 Customers25,000 participants

Growing Adoption by Fed., States

• U.S. Department of Labor -- $1.1 Million Grant

• 8 Cities in Texas

• U.S. D.O.L. Purchases Matched by Private Sector

• Supported by SER National Jobs for Progress

• Nonprofit Hispanic workforce development agency

• California, Texas, Arizona

• School systems – increasing parental involvement