Helping Missouri’s Immigrants Through Education and Workforce Development

Pam Kaiser, East Central College, Adult Education and Literacy, English Language Acquisition Coordinator and Volunteer Coordinator Brian Heldenbrand, East Central College, Adult Education and Literacy, Instructor Missouri Job Center-Rolla, Workforce Development Specialist I

Self proclaimed English skills at nearly 80%

What Is AEL? Adult Education & Literacy Program ABE/ASE ELA Working to improve English Skills Working to improve Basic Skills 28 Programs across the state Missouri is the #1 state for academic gain

Missouri Is #1 in the Nation 63% of the adult learners advanced at least one educational gain. More than 17,000 students in 2017-18. Nearly 5,600 were enrolled in English literacy. 97% of Missouri’s adult education students have a barrier to employment when entering the program. Adult Education Program Participants in Missouri Lead the Nation in Achieving Academic Gain

English Language Acquisition (ELA) Provides both English and Academic English for language skill development for higher education AND the workforce. Provides pathway to US citizenship.

English Language Acquisition Focuses on: Reading Writing Listening Speaking Civics Citizenship Job skills and vocabulary Student goals are: Employment/Better job to match personal skills Understand what people say (job safety and accuracy) Better communication with others Citizenship TOEFL score development College/Graduate School Enrollment TABE Clas-E assessments, L 1-7 in R, W, L, S. As part of Wioa Title II, we incorp the other skills into class

Requirements for Students in ELA At least age 16 English Language Learner not using an F1 Student Visa We do not ask for VISA status other than this.

Where Does ELA Fit with WIOA? Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (Title II) Purpose: to provide adult education and literacy activities to assist adults: To become literate and obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and economic self-sufficiency. Who are parents to obtain the educational skills necessary to become full partners in the educational development of their children. Attaining a secondary school diploma and in the transition to postsecondary education and training, including career pathways.

Where Does ELA Fit with WIOA? AND Assist English Language learners in improving literacy skills, mathematic skills and in acquiring an understanding of the American system of government, individual freedom and responsibilities of citizenship.

WIOA Priority of Services Recipients of Public Assistance Other Low-Income Individuals Individuals Who Are Basic Skills Deficient* Veterans

*WIOA sec. 3(5) defines basic skills deficient as referring to an individual: Who is a youth with English reading, writing, or computing skills at or below the 8th grade level on a generally accepted standardized test: or Who is a youth or adult, that is unable to compute or solve problems, or read, write, or speak English, at a level necessary to function on the job, in the individual’s family, or in society.** **Note: Individuals who are English Language Learners meet the criteria for “basic skills deficient” and must be included in the priority populations for the Title I Adult program. See TEGL 19-16 for the definition.

WIOA Performance Measures Measurable Educational/Skills Gain Employment Credential Attainment Achieved educational level gain as measured by a post-test using the standardized test TABE Clas-E Enrolled in postsecondary education or training during the program year

Credential Attainment Associate’s degree; Occupational licensure; Occupational certificate: including registered apprenticeship and career and technical education certificates; Other recognized certificates of industry/occupational skills completion sufficient to qualify for entry-level or advancement in employment. This does not include certificates for work readiness or those from workforce development boards (i.e. WorkKeys)

Integrated Education & Training (IET) Adult Education and Literacy Programs Career pathway Employer collaboration and partnerships Missouri Job Center collaboration Community college and postsecondary education partnerships Our AEL program is able to offer IET, with partnering and collaborating with several different entities

Integrated Education & Training All local AEL programs are NOT required to provide IET, it is only one activity of many, that may be provided. If a program does offer IET, not all students are required to participate.

IET Programs Provide Adult Education & Literacy activities concurrently with Workforce Preparation and Workforce Training • Potential short term credential programs CNA Welding Digital Literacy Construction Hospitality Childcare Logistics The challenge is to find what enough students are interested in

ELA Workforce Curriculum Employment Sectors Job search skills Resume’ writing Digital literacy Career Exploration

Workforce Preparation – Employability Skills Soft Skills Communication Leadership Time management Work ethic Teamwork Problem solving Hard Skills Proficiency in a foreign language Degree or certificate Machine operation Computer skills

ELA Can Help Employees Find a Job At risk of losing their job Interested in further training To be successful in their job For promotion Basic Skills improvement IET training

Workforce Benefits Utilize the talents of employees Many are well-educated, professionals in their native country Pharmacists, Engineers, Chemists, Physicists, CPA, Instructors Utilize linguistically diverse skills What other workforce benefits do immigrants provide? Basic Skills improvement IET training

Classes are FREE!!! How Much Does It Cost? Programs throughout Missouri Morning and evening classes IET varies by program

Education Pays

Now the fun begins…

170+ hours in class in the fiscal year 30 years old 1 year in USA Case Study #1 Current test Levels 5-6 170+ hours in class in the fiscal year 30 years old 1 year in USA Math/French instructor in Mexico How can Missouri Job Centers help? Self disclosed barrier to employment: English Language Learner and Cultural Result: Bilingual customer service rep for local company

Permanent residency, but returns to home country to earn money Case Study #2 Current test Levels 4-5 Has attended class for 2 months, this year and has enrolled the last 4 years Permanent residency, but returns to home country to earn money 69 years old College professor/researcher in home country How can Missouri Job Centers help? Self disclosed barrier to employment: English Language Learner, Cultural, and low income Result: Sent to Voc Rehab. Denied food stamp assistance.

How can Missouri Job Centers help? Case Study #3 Current test Levels 2-5 300+ hours in class this fiscal year, attends morning, evening and free class offered through a church 30 years old In USA for 9 months CPA in home country How can Missouri Job Centers help? Self disclosed barrier to employment: English Language Learner Clearly determined, committed, wanting to work

Engineer in home country Case Study #4 Current test Levels 4-5 10 hours in class this fiscal year (works 16 hours/day, 6 days/week with little time to attend class) 39 years old In USA about 1 year Won the lottery Engineer in home country How can Missouri Job Centers help? Self disclosed barrier to employment: English Language Learner, Cultural, and Low income Explain “Winning the Lottery”

Case Study #5 Current test Levels 4 230+ hours in class this fiscal year 48 years old Won the Lottery New citizen of the USA Math instructor in home country How can Missouri Job Centers help? Self disclosed barrier to employment: English Language Learner, Cultural, and Low income

How Can Missouri Job Centers Help If language barrier exists, refer to ELA classes Interpretive services offered Provide information for services available Provide connection/networking opportunities Assist with job search/career service opportunities Local assistance/support reach out to meet a need Counselling Find help to transcribe transcripts to help find jobs in their area of expertise Resumes

Resources: https://dese.mo.gov/communications/news-releases/missouri-adult-education-tops-nation-student- academic-achievement?fbclid=IwAR3HVgbIfflns7gYT6b-GE1Sx0PBcRO_IngmLvde5VMfWdA4NCZ3rXRNiEA WIOA: https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/hr803/BILLS-113hr803enr.pdf Adult Education: A Crucial Foundation for Middle-Skill Jobs http://www.nationalskillscoalition.org/resources/publications/file/9.26-NSC-AdultEd-factsheet_final.pdf WIOA Overview: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/pi/AdultEd/wioa-overview.pdf AEL: Not Your Old GED Program http://ccdaily.com/Pages/Academic-Programs/ed-adult-ed.aspx https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/pi/AdultEd/wioa-overview.pdf

Resources: Missouri State Assessment of Adult Literacy (2003) http://www.air.org/sites/default/files/downloads/report/SAAL_MO_web_0.pdf Program for the International Assessment Adult Competencies (PIACC, 2012 & 2014) https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/piaac/ United States Census Bureau Quick Facts https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/table/PST045215/00 https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/pi/AdultEd/wioa-overview.pdf

Thank You

Pam.Kaiser@eastcentral.edu Brian.Heldenbrand@eastcentral.edu