Refocusing Adult Education on Career and Postsecondary Success

Refocusing Adult Education on Career and Postsecondary Success
Author: Marcie Foster
Publisher:
Total Pages: 14
Release: 2012
Genre:
ISBN:
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Two proposals to reauthorize the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) are in the House of Representatives: the "Workforce Investment and Improvement Act of 2012" ("H.R. 4297") and the "Workforce Investment Act of 2012" ("H.R. 4227"). Both proposals reflect a priority of greater alignment among adult education (Title II), workforce development (Title I), and postsecondary education, and both increase the focus on preparing adult students not just to earn a secondary school diploma but for college and careers. Despite these similarities, the bills differ across several dimensions, such as the degree to which they hold states and local providers accountable for improving student access and success in postsecondary education and the commitment to expanding the capacity and resources of the adult education system nationally. This analysis highlights key provisions in each bill that strengthen or weaken the overall goal of refocusing Title II on career and postsecondary success. The analysis is organized by CLASP's four core priorities in adult education: (1) To align services and improve outcomes across workforce development, postsecondary education, and adult education/English as a Second Language; (2) To incent and encourage innovation in promising practices, such as career pathways, contextualization, dual or concurrent enrollment, and integrated basic education and occupational skills training; (3) To develop a national research center for adult education to advance promising practices and expand and improve the body of evidence-based research; and (4) To fund Title II to meet the growing demand for adult education and English language services. On the whole, "H.R. 4297" offers improvements to the adult education system and supports alignment between programs, although it does little to ensure that this alignment will happen. Furthermore, it creates an option for states to override adult education requirements and consolidate these funds with a newly created Workforce Investment Fund, leaving no assurances that low-skilled adult learners will be served. "H.R. 4227" modernizes and enhances the adult education system to better meet the longer-term, postsecondary, and employment needs of students. It also builds capacity for additional research on innovative and promising practices that have the potential to accelerate student progress toward these goals. Lastly, it requires that education and training programs work together in each state to develop a joint state plan, yet it maintains individualized programs to ensure that those who need targeted attention or more specialized instruction can receive it. (Contains 10 endnotes.).

Adult Education and Postsecondary Success. Policy Brief

Adult Education and Postsecondary Success. Policy Brief
Author: Stephen Reder
Publisher:
Total Pages: 33
Release: 2007
Genre:
ISBN:
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This Policy Brief takes a first look at a newly identified national population of GED holders, who are compared with their counterparts who received a high school diploma as well as with their counterparts who have no high school credential. The focus of these comparisons is on long-term postsecondary education outcomes. Because these postsecondary outcomes are vital for the economic well-being of individuals and society, the Brief considers carefully the role that adult literacy development plays in postsecondary education, not only for GED holders, but for those with high school diplomas and those without any secondary credentials at all. Far too many individuals in all three groups are shown to lack the skills needed to succeed in postsecondary education. These findings indicate that our adult education system needs to be substantially expanded and restructured, not only to increase the number of individuals it serves, but also to raise the skill levels of students well above the passing level of the GED if they wish to succeed in postsecondary education. The Brief identifies other important barriers besides academic skills that need to be addressed in order to increase substantially the number of students obtaining college degrees. There is a surprisingly large unserved target population of adults who already have the basic skills needed for success in postsecondary education but face many of these other barriers to college entry and completion. Arguing for a broadened and restructured adult education system, the Brief suggests segmenting the target population for adult education into three groups: (1) adults without secondary credentials needing improved basic skills to pass the GED, essentially the current target population for adult education; (2) adults with or without secondary credentials needing improved basic skills to complete a 2-year college degree; and (3) adults who already have the necessary basic skills to complete a 2-year college degree but may need other skills or persistence supports to succeed in college. (Contains 17 figures, 2 tables, and 46 notes.).

Tracking Adult Literacy and Numeracy Skills

Tracking Adult Literacy and Numeracy Skills
Author: Stephen Reder
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 497
Release: 2008-09-16
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1135903298
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Understanding the origins of poor literacy and numeracy skills in adulthood and how to improve them is of major importance when society places a high premium on proficiency in these basic skills. This edited collection brings together the results of recent longitudinal studies that greatly extend our knowledge of what works in raising skill levels, as well as the social and economic returns to improvement. Many fundamental research questions in adult education involve change over time: how adults learn, how program participation influences their acquisition of skills and knowledge, and how their educational development interacts with their social and economic performance. Although a growing number of longitudinal studies in adult basic education have recently been completed, this book is the first systematic compilation of findings and methods. Triangulating findings from different methodological perspectives and research designs, and across countries, this text produces convergence on key conclusions about the role of basic skills in the modern life course and the most effective ways of enhancing them.

Guide to Adult Education for Work. Transforming Adult Education to Grow a Skilled Workforce

Guide to Adult Education for Work. Transforming Adult Education to Grow a Skilled Workforce
Author: The National Center on Education and the Economy
Publisher:
Total Pages: 52
Release: 2009
Genre:
ISBN:
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This 52 page guide builds on the recommendations of the US National Commission on Adult Literacy to refocus the adult education system on the goal of preparing individuals who lack skills to be successful in the workplace. It is intended to jumpstart transformation of the system at the ground level. This effort involves stepping up service delivery to individuals who lack the fundamental literacy, English language, basic and work readiness skills they need to succeed economically. Adult education for work is part of a broader effort to build a career pathways system that moves low-skilled adults through a continua of workforce-oriented adult education programs on to postsecondary programs that lead to family-sustaining employment and career advancement. This guide outlines the specific steps policymakers, program administrators and providers can take to begin to transform their current adult education programs to adult education for work. Practical advice is given for getting started. This guide is accompanied by resource aimed at employers. Table of contents: * Introduction * Why adult education at work? * Quality elements of adult education for work programs (Program design. Curriculum and instruction. Assessment and credentialing. High-quality teaching. Support and follow-up services. Connections to the business community. Monitoring and accountability systems) * Final notes (Case studies).

Teaching Students About the World of Work

Teaching Students About the World of Work
Author: Nancy Hoffman
Publisher: Harvard Education Press
Total Pages: 259
Release: 2020-07-22
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1682534960
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Teaching Students About the World of Work argues that educational institutions—especially two-year and four-year public institutions serving low-income students—need to make the topic of employment a central element in their educational offerings. Indeed, the book demonstrates that a far greater emphasis on teaching students about the work world will be necessary if colleges are to give disadvantaged students a realistic chance for professional and economic success. The recommendation is a reconfiguration of postsecondary education that represents a paradigm shift in career preparation and learning. Editors Nancy Hoffman and Michael Lawrence Collins and their authors provide a rich and comprehensive view of both today’s work world and the challenges facing many young people who are determined to find a place within it. The book offers detailed accounts of how several community colleges have put employment at the center of the curriculum; provides practical insights into the twenty-first century labor market and ways to improve the choices and outcomes for low-income job seekers; and explores the daunting structural barriers to securing successful and satisfying employment. Throughout all its chapters, the book highlights increasing inequalities—in both opportunities and outcomes—within our society. In order to redress those disparities, it argues, postsecondary educators will need to offer enhanced insights and sophistication to disadvantaged young people preparing to enter and navigate the work world. An urgent but unfailingly reasonable book for our times, Teaching Students About the World of Work will be required reading for educators determined to create practical opportunities for young people in search of good employment and better lives.

Beyond Training: The Rise of Adult Education in the Military

Beyond Training: The Rise of Adult Education in the Military
Author: Jeffrey Zacharakis
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 118
Release: 2012-12-17
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1118616456
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Widen your view of adult education by learning how it is applied by the nation’s largest adult education provider: the military. Woven through this issue is the common thread of sound adult education practice. Addressing applications specific to the military but relevant to civilian providers, it highlight the importance of developing the critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for military leaders in an increasingly complex world. Chapters also address the intersection of higher education and particular military populations, including civilian employees, active-duty personnel, veterans, and spouses. Finally, the sourcebook provides a glimpse into the future of both military education and adult education, highlighting the increasing bond between the two and their growing importance in the lifelong education of all Americans. This is 136th volume of the Jossey-Bass quarterly report series New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education. Noted for its depth of coverage, it explores issues of common interest to instructors, administrators, counselors, and policymakers in a broad range of settings, such as colleges and universities, extension programs, businesses, libraries, and museums.

A Guide to College Success for Post-traditional Students

A Guide to College Success for Post-traditional Students
Author: Henry S. Merrill
Publisher: IAP
Total Pages: 119
Release: 2018-08-01
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1641134194
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The purpose of this book is to assist post-traditional students to achieve success in the Occupational, Workforce, and Leadership Studies (OWLS) Department and develop their individualized pathway to earn the interdisciplinary Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) degree at Texas State University. Applied baccalaureate degrees incorporate higher-order thinking skills and advanced technical knowledge and skills with applied coursework. BAAS students may also earn college-level credits through prior learning assessment (PLA), evaluating and credentialing knowledge and skills gained outside the classroom. The organization and content of this book provides adult degree program faculty and leaders an example of how one required textbook develops and supports the outcomes and activities in all the core courses of an interdisciplinary degree program designed for post-traditional adult learners. The majority of the students earning the BAAS degree are post-traditional students. They are often defined with some or all of these characteristics: over age 25 years old when starting or returning to college, may not have a traditional high school diploma, enroll part-time, work full-time, are financially independent, have dependents other than a spouse and may be a single parent. These students juggle multiple roles and responsibilities in the family, workplace, and community. Post-traditional students bring rich work/life experiences, may be experiencing personal and/or professional transitions, have clear career goals, and often finance their education. They seek flexible programs including online education, PLA, and accelerated course formats. Thus, post-traditional students want active, collaborative, and interactive learning relevant to career and other roles and goals.

Opportunities in Adult Education

Opportunities in Adult Education
Author: Blythe Camenson
Publisher: McGraw Hill Professional
Total Pages: 177
Release: 2008-03-21
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 0071493069
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Further your success with a career in continuing education! Get started in a career that has a promising future and is financially rewarding. Opportunities in Adult Education Careers provides you with a complete overview of the job possibilities, salary figures, and experience required to enter the field of adult education. This career-boosting book will help you: Determine the specialty that's right for you, from continuing education to administration to counseling Acquire in-depth knowledge of adult education Find out what kind of salary you can expect Understand the daily routine of your chosen field Focus your job search using industry resources ENJOY A GREAT CAREER AS AN: Dean of students • ESL teacher • Computer lab instructor * ABE teacher • Career counselor • GED instructor

Back to School

Back to School
Author: Michael Anthony Rose
Publisher: The New Press
Total Pages: 226
Release: 2012
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1595587861
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"Shines a light on institutions that are teaching students, young and old, how to rebuild our economy and put America back to work" (President Bill Clinton). It's a statistic that's sure to surprise: Close to forty-five percent of postsecondary students in the United States today did not enroll in college directly out of high school, and many attend only part-time. Following a tradition of self-improvement as old as the Republic, the "nontraditional" college student is becoming the norm. Back to School is the first book to look at the schools that serve a growing population of "second-chancers," exploring what higher education--in the fullest sense of the term--can offer our rapidly changing society and why it is so critical to support the institutions that make it possible for millions of Americans to better their lot in life. In the anecdotal style of his bestselling Possible Lives, Mike Rose crafts rich and moving vignettes of people in tough circumstances who find their way, who get a second . . . or third . . . or even fourth chance, and who, in a surprising number of cases, reinvent themselves as educated, engaged citizens. Rose reminds us that our nation's economic and civic future rests heavily on the health of the institutions that serve millions of everyday people--not simply the top twenty universities listed in U.S. News and World Report--and paints a vivid picture of the community colleges and adult education programs that give so many a shot at reaching their aspirations. "Thoughtful and surprising." --The Washington Post "Inspiring stories of older Americans attending secondary schools." --Kirkus Reviews

Learning for Careers

Learning for Careers
Author: Nancy Hoffman
Publisher: Harvard Education Press
Total Pages: 231
Release: 2020-01-15
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1682531139
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Learning for Careers provides a comprehensive account of the Pathways to Prosperity Network, a national initiative focused on helping more young people successfully complete high school, attain a first postsecondary credential with value in the labor market, and get started on a career without foreclosing the opportunity for further education. It takes as its starting point the influential 2011 Pathways to Prosperity report, which challenged the prevailing idea that the core mission of high schools was to prepare all students for college. In response, the Pathways Network was founded in 2012 to promote cooperative arrangements between educational and business institutions in order to fashion pathways for young people to acquire twenty-first-century skills and achieve professional success. This book traces the evolution of the Pathways Network over the past five years, focusing on the efforts of a diverse set of states and regions to build systems that span high school and the first two years of postsecondary education. States such as Delaware and Tennessee have been highly effective in establishing systems designed to equip students with credentials valued in the contemporary labor market. At the same time, the authors acknowledge the technical, political, and cultural challenges in redesigning career-focused education to produce satisfactory outcomes for young people throughout the country. Learning for Careers offers a way forward for the millions of young people and employers that face a rapidly evolving and ever more competitive globalized workplace. This book will be essential reading for all who have a stake in educational and economic opportunity in the United States.