November 2017

Top 25 announced

The overall top 25 KYAE Skills U programs for fiscal year 2016-17 were:

1. Simpson2. Lyon3. Christian4. Carter5. Mason6. Boone7. Hardin8. LaRue9. Franklin9. Washington11. Marion12. Campbell13. Breckinridge

13. Casey13. Crittenden16. Logan16. Carroll16. Greenup19. Taylor20. Mercer21. Edmonson22. Martin23. Calloway24. Elliott25. Daviess25. Todd

As you’ll note, there are actually 26 counties in the “top 25,” due to a tie for the 25th spot. You’ll also note that the overall top 25 has ties for other positions. The overall top 25 is determined by a county program’s rankings in each category of measurable skill gains, academic performance and percentage of GED® goal attainment.

During the first week of October, 27 trainees from Brighton Center’s Center for Employment Training (CET) earned their Kentucky Essential Skills Certifi-cates (KESC). This Campbell County-based KESC pilot was a part of Skills U at Newport Adult Learning Center’s longstanding IET partnership with CET. Participants in CET’s medical coding or Microsoft Office credential tracks were all TABE-tested via Skills U. Those who were eligible for adult education services received those and accessed KESC coursework through the KAERS por-tal; those who were not eligible for adult services accessed KESC coursework via the Kentucky Career Center (KCC) portal. During the four-week session, the entire group focused on one of the four modules of the KESC each week. Mike, a business and computer technologies trainee at CET, says that the KESC course gave him new tools to rethink how he reacts in tense situations at his current job. He said that this course will also help him in his future career goals. Individuals from this cohort who didn’t complete the coursework or pass the KESC assessment will have the opportunity to do so. Skills U at Newport Adult Learning Center and Brighton Center plan to implement another four-week session in early 2018.

The 27 individuals who earned a KESC proudly show off their certificates.

KESC pilot sees positive results

2 • GED® Study Guide3 • Best Practice Alert4 • State Staff Updates

And more!

What’s inside:

@KYAdultEducation @KYAEReecie

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GED® student study guide to be released soon GED Testing Service® will be releasing a student study guide for the GED® test on November 15. The guide is available to anyone with an account at MyGED®. Written in clear, straight-forward language, the guide shows the skills and concepts stu-dents need to know in each subject along with example questions. This is a free tool you can use in your classroom to demystify the GED® test and show learners what they need to know to pass the test. Here’s a sneak peek:

Business partner recognized for accomplishments Since 2005, Dorman Products has partnered with the Gallatin County Adult Education Skills U program to provide educational opportunities to its employees, whom Dorman refers to as “contributors.” On October 27, Dorman Products staff accepted a “Manufacturer of the Year Award” at the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers Awards (KAM) Luncheon; they had been nominat-ed by Cristina Marsh, director of Skills U programs at Jefferson Community and Technical College (Bullitt, Carroll, Gallatin, Henry, Shelby, Trimble counties). On-site GED® classes have been provided at Dorman since the beginning of their partnership. Since 2016, Gallatin County Adult Education Skills U has provided “work readiness” instruction for potential and current Dorman employ-ees. Each potential employee that completes a work readiness course through the Skills U program (which includes contextualized instruction, as well opportuni-ties to earn the KESC and NCRC) is guaranteed an interview. If an individual is then hired, he/she will automatically earn $1.49 more per hour than someone who doesn’t complete the course. If an incumbent Dorman employee wants to earn more and/or be considered for promotion, they also have the opportunity to participate in the work readiness course and earn certification(s). To view the video about Dorman shown before the award presentation, click here.

Jamie Johnson, director of operations, and Misty Kinman, human resources manager, hold the KAM Manufacturer of Year Award (large business category) Dorman Products won after being nominated by its local Skills U partner.

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New course offered to people reintegrating into society In each issue of News to Use, we will be sharing a “Best Practice Alert” – something that a local program is doing that can be replicated in other programs. This issue’s Best Practice Alert comes to us from Cristina Marsh, director of Skills U programs at Jefferson Community and Technical College (Bullitt, Carroll, Gallatin, Henry, Shelby, Trimble counties). As you read about the best practice, you will note that replicable actions are on the left in green and are accompanied by specific, supporting information and anecdotes to the right.

• Identify audiences who would benefit from your services.• Make connections with those serving these audiences to share information and benefits of services.

When Cristina initially contacted local judge executives, court judges, regional Department of Corrections re-entry program administrators and attorneys, it was to share information about adult education services provided at her centers that could benefit formerly incarcerated individuals transitioning into society. She provided local county data, including incarceration and unemployment rates, and made sure to share how a partnership could benefit everyone. She often took an instructor with her to share first-hand accounts of how adult education makes a difference in students’ lives. Cristina says that her message was simple: “We all have a vested interest not to see the same individuals over and over again, and here is how I can help …” Of note: Cristina says that speaking to people at all levels is important, and that it is important to target the message to the audience. For example, she sought out attorneys with a high number of clients (DUI, owed child support, truancy) to inform them of how adult education services could help their clients.

• Strengthen partnerships.• Identify gaps in services being provided that your program could fill.

As she developed partnerships and deepened her understanding of current of-ferings for this audience, Cristina noted a gap in services that her programs could fill. While probation and parole offices offered “reintegration into society” classes, Cristina felt that the basic communication and other skills offered in the classes were too few and the class sessions were too brief to make significant impact on the individuals’ abilities to obtain and retain employment, among other things.

• Develop a solution that meets the needs of both the individuals being served and the partner organization(s).

Cristina proposed that her programs offer a “work ready” course to these individuals, featuring a minimum of 40 contact hours, which was longer than the existing probation and parole classes – and the partners agreed to participate in a course pilot. All course participants were TABE tested and worked on building their reading and language skills. Additionally, all participants earned Kentucky Essential Skills and National Career Readiness Certificates during the course.

• Track outcomes. Cristina reports that, since the pilot was taught (last year), 60% of the partici-pants completing the course have remained out of jail and are currently employed.

•Review and refine processes and offerings (continuous process).

Cristina’s programs will soon be offering the Work Ready courses again. Now, Reintegration into Society refers its clients to the centers; referral is made by indi-viduals completing Skills U enrollment forms, which the re-entry program admin-istrators now have on hand. Once a form is completed, it is then sent to Cristina, who sends the form to the appropriate program, based upon an individual’s loca-tion. Instructors contact individuals to set up an appointment. The upcoming coursework for Work Ready participants will include: registra-tion, TABE assessment, skills brush up, completion of NCRC and KESC, interview skills, mock interview, college transition presentation and an employment referral.

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State staff represents Skills U at multiple venues

Members of the state staff represented KYAE Skills U at several conferences in October – as well as on television. “Kentucky is considered to be a national leader in adult education, and we are always honored and proud to represent KYAE Skills U and share the important things we are doing in the Commonwealth,” says Reecie Stagnolia, vice president for adult education, Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. Reecie was the keynote speaker October 25 during the 2017 Commission on Adult Basic Education (COABE) Virtual Conference; he discussed “Using Data for Building a Business Case of Support for Adult Education.” Reecie’s other recent speaking engagements included co-presenting two sessions, “Adult Education: An Investment in America’s Future” and “Educate and Elevate Public Awareness Cam-paign,” during the National Center for Families Learning (NCFL) Conference, held October 9-11 in Tucson, AZ. Several KYAE Skills U staff members presented at National Career Pathways Network (NCPN) Conference, held October 25-27 in St. Louis, MO. Natalie Cummins, associate for administration and accountability, presented “Accelerating Opportunity: Dual Credit Without Dual Time,” and Janet Slayden, associate for administration and accountability presented “Kentucky IET Program Design Using Flow Charts and Process Maps.” Sharon Johnston and Lori Looney, director and senior associate for college and career prep, presented “Kentucky Adult Education: Instructional Resources to Help Students Get and Keep a Job.” Missy Brownson, senior associate for staff support, presented on “Finding the Hidden Workforce” at the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers (KAM) Work-force Readiness Conference in Louisville on October 26. Jacqueline Korengel, associate vice president for KYAE Skills U, joined other leaders in government, education, business and public policy on October 25 at Ken-tucky Educational Television (KET) to discuss moving the state forward and filling the jobs gap. You’ll be able to watch the results of this gathering, “Filling Kentucky Jobs: A KET Forum,” on Monday, November 13, at 8 p.m. Eastern (7 p.m. Central) on KET.

Jacqueline Korengel, associ-ate vice president for KYAE Skills U, talks to host Renee Shaw during the taping of “Filling Kentucky Jobs: A KET Forum.” The show will run on KET on November 13 at 8 p.m. Eastern (7 p.m. Central).

Quire takes on new role

When Elizabeth Arauz departed KYAE Skills U due to her family’s move to Louisiana, a critical gap was created. As a result of current budget challenges, there is a hiring freeze, so KYAE Skills U leadership looked within the organization to fill this crucial role. Reecie Stagnolia says, “We had a viable solution in Toni Quire, who was willing to expand respon-sibilties to help fill this gap. Toni’s longevity and instiutional knowl-edge of adult education continue to make her an invaluable member of our team.” Toni will continue to work on some of the key tasks she’s been responsible for over the years, such as the website, but she will also support new project areas, such as providing support services for Reec-ie and Jacqueline Korengel. When you visit the state office, you’ll now find Toni in the office adjacent to Reecie’s. “I believe in the good work of this agency and am happy to help in any way possible,” Toni says.

Carter County GED® graduate Danielle Sharp says, “Earning my GED® gave me great confidence and I want to keep learning - not hold back - and to achieve my goals and dreams.” Danielle says, “I wanted to prove that I can do this - and, if I can, anybody can do this.” Danielle says about her experience at her local Skills U center, “They (the staff) believe in me, and when you have someone believe in you, all things are possible!” Now, Danielle says, “I SMILE more now knowing I did it! And now it’s possible for me to achieve my dreams.” Danielle says, “For anyone who needs your GED® - never give up on your dreams and keep pushing forward. Don’t ever let anything stand in your way ‘cause you are WORTH IT!”

Student Spotlight: Danielle Sharp, Carter County

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