LENKA BRAGG PATRICIA SHAPIRO-SOYDANSER HEATHER TURNGREN ACES: Academic, Career & Employability Skills

ACES - Overview ATLAS (ABE Teaching & Learning Advancement System) project to advance transitions instruction for all ABE learners in Minnesota Transitions = transitioning learners to post- secondary or employment National and State initiatives ACES cohort included 3 base groups of 24 teachers

ACES – Professional Development Integration of ACES framework into existing curriculum from January - May Readings in transition areas and research Video observations and tasks Moodle instructional modules Online discussions with base groups and facilitators Lesson planning 2 peer observations Final group presentations

ACES Transitions Integration Framework Career Literacy / Awareness Critical Thinking Effective Communication Language and Learning Strategies Navigating and Understanding One’s Environment Numeracy Self-Management Technology

ACES Framework: Focused, Intentional Tool for Lesson Planning. Questions I ask myself when I plan my lessons: How can I address the eight areas of the framework? What activities will help my students in their jobs or their academic futures?

Career Literacy/ Awareness Conduct mock job interviews Research jobs with MnCareers Books ( Integrate grammar into filling out job accident report forms

Critical Thinking  Incorporate higher order questions  Compare, contrast and evaluate prices based on information from flyers  Compare money matters in the U.S. and your country  Scavenger Hunt to predict the topic of the lesson  Evaluate different community resources and decide which is most useful

Effective Communication Use sentence strips to match symptoms and illnesses Games Role play symptoms, guess illness Partners A/B exchange information Partners share one worksheet Jigsaw reading Practice taking on various team roles (scribe, time keeper, speaker, etc.)

Language and Learning Strategies Use graphic organizers (Venn Diagram, grid, schedule, T-chart) Read for specific purpose Scan community resources

Navigating and Understanding One’s Environment Discuss the importance of job accident report forms Fill out a checking account application, checks, withdrawal forms Discuss advantages and disadvantages of using credit cards vs. cash Indentify a personal need, contact a community resource

Numeracy Compare unit prices Fill out a withdrawal form Calculate age Calculate how many times you can get a prescription refill

Self-Management Organize class materials in 3-ring binders per established order Use a calendar to track attendance and important dates Track CASAS test scores using graphs Set specific learning goals

Technology Scan documents and project them in class Use technology to locate information and communicate Endless opportunities

Patricia’s ACES Work

Participants’ Feedback ACES helped with: lesson planning focused on framework lessons being more intentional lessons that were more focused a focus on how to teach, not what to teach transforming teaching making students become more self-sufficient and self motivated engaging students

Participants’ Feedback ACES is … holistic and purposeful a ‘mindset’ change not a curriculum tailored to all levels a way to make your teaching more intentional and deliberate a toolbox for teaching

ACES is…

Future of ACES ACES Integration Framework will be adjusted with recommendations of ACES Participants and ACES Advisory Group ACES Participants will present in their programs/sites Plan is for state-wide use by all ABE teachers in Minnesota in future Other states are interested in the ACES Framework