Introduce yourselves to those at your table and discuss: What questions do you have about the narrative? What are the strengths of your ABE consortium? Why? What part(s) of the narrative do you think might be the most challenging? Why?

ABE NARRATIVE WRITERS’ WORKSHOP

Organized by Minnesota Department of Education Sponsored by Literacy Action Network

State ABE Staff Todd Wagner Brad Hasskamp Astrid Liden ABE Supplemental Service Providers Literacy Action Network Minnesota Literacy Council St. Paul ABE Local ABE Staff AALC Mankato ABE Robbinsdale ABE TODAY’S PRESENTERS INCLUDE

WELCOME

Consortium Name Participant Names What our consortium hopes to get from the narrative process One word to describe our current consortium perspective CONSORTIUM INTRODUCTIONS

SHARING

NARRATIVE OVERVIEW Suggested Layout and Format Document Letters Narrative Question Numbering New Developments

LOCAL PERSPECTIVE: MANKATO ABE

SECTION 1: PROGRAM OVERVIEW Karen Wolters, Mankato ABE Brad Hasskamp

1.Introduce us to your consortium 2.Balance depth and concise writing A.Bullets and graphs work great for some content B.Reviewers like maps showing your service area 3.Reviewers typically wanted additional information about students (culture, age, languages, levels, goals, average hours per year, and other helpful factors/characteristics) TIPS ON SECTION

SECTION 2: PROGRAM & STUDENT ACCOUNTABILITY Karen Wolters, Mankato ABE Brad Hasskamp

1.Biggest and most complex section A.Detail is essential here B.Explain what and how to someone that does not work there or understand your consortium 2.Use the narrative process to improve: how could you do things better (i.e. PEP, Volunteers, Accountability) 3.Assessment policy A.How does your consortium implement the state assessment policy? B.How is your responding to the 40- hour post-testing rule? TIPS ON SECTION

DECISION: ONLINE OR BINDER?

SECTION 3: STAFF & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Astrid Liden Theresa Zingery, Robbinsdale ABE Julie Kleve, Robbinsdale ABE

Astrid Liden, Minnesota Department of Education Theresa Zingery & Julie Kleve, Robbinsdale Adult Academic Program

Session Objectives: Reflect on your current process for PD planning Follow a data-driven process for PD planning Use PD survey data to inform consortium PD planning Use templates provided to develop PD plans Identify features of effective PD and choose PD opportunities based on identified needs

What is your current approach? What is your current approach to professional development (PD) planning for your consortium? How is this working for you? What do you see as the benefits and drawbacks of your current process?

Cafeteria approach “We always go to that conference.” “That sounds like a fun workshop.” “My friend is going to that session, so I’m going to tag along.” “The only trainings we participate in are regionals because that’s all we can afford.”

What is data-driven PD planning? PD needs are identified and prioritized based on data SMART objectives are developed based on those needs PD activities align with identified needs & objectives

Why is it important? Improved understanding of staff and learners’ needs and characteristics Alignment of perceived needs with expected outcomes Selection of effective activities & materials to support training goals Effective use of limited resources Impact of professional development is maximized

PD Planning Process STEP 1: Assemb le a PD Plannin g Team STEP 2: Collect & analyze data STEP 3: Identify & prioritiz e needs STEP 4: Develop objectiv es STEP 5: Identify activities to meet objective s STEP 6: Carry out objectiv es STEP 7: Reflect & maximiz e impact of activitie s STEP 8: Evaluat e whether objectiv es have been met

STEP 1: Assemble a PD Planning Team CONSIDER: Who is/will be part of your PD planning team? When do/will you meet? What is/will be your planning cycle? What resources do/will you need? SUGGESTIONS: Include a mix of roles and perspectives Leadership support and involvement

STEP 2: Collect & analyze data to identify PD needs CONSIDER: What data do you currently use to inform PD planning? What data could you use in the future?

STEP 3: Identify & prioritize PD needs using a variety of data CONSIDER: Which needs are supported by the greatest amount and diversity of data? Which needs reflect local and state priorities & initiatives that need to take precedence? Which needs are possible to address in the upcoming program year? Which needs can be met with available personnel, resources, and technology capabilities?

PD Survey Statewide PD survey administered in January- February PD survey questions available at: Consortium-level reports available from ATLAS upon request

STEP 4: Develop measurable PD objectives “_____ will be able to ____ by ____.” SMART objectives are: S pecific – What? Why? How? M easurable – How will I measure progress & know I’ve achieved my goal? A ction-oriented – Can I take actions to accomplish this objective? R ealistic – Is it challenging but still possible to achieve? T ime-bound – What is my timeframe for this goal?

Group Activity: Rate the objective! Read the objective in the box, taken from an actual consortium PD plan, and give it a rating of 0 – 5, based on the scale below: Example 1: “XYZ ABE staff will be aware of ABE changes and rationale behind the changes.” S pecific – 1 pt. M easurable – 1 pt. A ction-oriented - 1pt. R ealistic – 1 pt. T ime-bound – 1 pt. What is your rating? How would you improve this objective?

Group Activity: Rate the objective! Read the objective in the box, taken from an actual consortium PD plan, and give it a rating of 0 – 5, based on the scale below: Example 2: “Improve reading instruction.” S pecific – 1 pt. M easurable – 1 pt. A ction-oriented - 1pt. R ealistic – 1 pt. T ime-bound – 1 pt. What is your rating? How would you improve this objective?

Group Activity: Rate the objective! Read the objective in the box, taken from an actual consortium PD plan, and give it a rating of 0 – 5, based on the scale below: Example 3: “Each member of the staff will establish a Google account and learn to use a variety of tools offered through this service, including file sharing with Google docs. Staff will use Google Docs to upload, access, review and edit sections of the 5 year Grant Narrative over the course of the year." S pecific – 1 pt. M easurable – 1 pt. A ction-oriented - 1pt. R ealistic – 1 pt. T ime-bound – 1 pt. What is your rating? How would you improve this objective?

Features of effective PD Desimone, L.M. (2009)

STEP 5: Identify & develop PD activities to meet the objectives Traditional PD Conferences and Workshops Choose sessions based on your identified needs Focus your efforts - participate in a strand of sessions Share information with peers Online courses Study circles Professional learning communities (PLCs) Site visits Peer observation/mentoring Program & product development

STEP 6: Carry out / participate in PD activities Small Group Activity Choose ONE of the sample objectives you refined (made SMART- “er”) earlier and discuss with your partner/s: What PD activities would help achieve the objective you refined? What resources (presenters, materials, etc.) would you need to carry out this activity?

STEP 7: Reflect on & maximize impact of PD activities Reflective practice license renewal requirement Activity log Teacher journal Staff meetings Professional learning communities Meeting with supervisor or colleague ???

STEP 8: Evaluate whether objectives have been met Evaluating PD (adapted from Guskey, 2002)

Questions? Astrid Liden: phone: Theresa Zingery: phone: Updated PD templates are available at

LOCAL PERSPECTIVE: ROBBINSDALE ABE

SECTION 7: TECHNOLOGY & DISTANCE LEARNING Jennifer Weaverling, Distance Learning Consultant Susan Wetenkamp-Brandt, Minnesota Literacy Council

1.Use the template provided 2.Add as much detail as possible A.What exists now and how do you incorporate tech? B.What are your future goals and when do you hope to accomplish them C.For future timelines, prioritize a potential timeline that you hope to follow 3.Local consortia are expected to create a vision and implement the following: A.Technology resources available on site B.Incorporation of technology into instruction C.Use of distance learning D.Use of Northstar Digital Literacy Standards TIPS ON SECTION

LOCAL PERSPECTIVE: ST. PAUL COMMUNITY LITERACY CONSORTIUM

TOOLS FOR COLLABORATION Susan Wetenkamp-Brandt

TOOLS FOR COLLABORATION 1.Google Doc’s/Drive ( 2.Drop Box ( 3.PB Works ( 4.Wiggio (

LUNCH CHATS WITH LOCAL PROGRAMS

SECTION 4: INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM DESCRIPTION Becki Hawkins, AALC Brad Hasskamp

1.Use the templates provided A.Check out Mankato’s online narrative 2.Have instructors help develop this section A.Start this section early and allow time for writing and editing 3.Articulate all programming happening in the consortium A.Types of programming can be grouped if they do (or will) teach the same content TIPS ON SECTION

LOCAL PERSPECTIVE: AREA ADULT LEARNING COOPERATIVE (AALC)

SECTION 5: PROGRAM GOVERNANCE & COORDINATION Brad Hasskamp

1.Include your consortium MOU A.Check out St. Paul’s online narrative B.Consortium meetings are required 2.Clearly articulate how big programming decisions are made and implemented in your consortium A.Do you have an articulated process? B.How could new members join your consortium? 3.How do you market your program? A.Do your stakeholders know what you do? TIPS ON SECTION

SECTION 6: PROGRAM COLLABORATION & PARTNERSHIPS Brad Hasskamp

1.Articulate your partnerships A.Don’t forget to describe who they are and what you do together 2.Have an updated MOU with the workforce center that accurately describes your work together 3.Describe your role in developing the regional transitions plan, even if you do not directly receive any funds TIPS ON SECTION

SECTION 8: FUTURE PLANS Brad Hasskamp

1.Articulate your partnerships A.Don’t forget to describe who they are and what you do together 2.Have an updated MOU with the workforce center that accurately describes your work together 3.Describe your role in developing the regional transitions plan, even if you do not directly receive any funds TIPS ON SECTION

Start working out your consortium’s action plan Identify sections that are priorities Identify any sections you need resources or further assistance/training What is your next step? DEVELOPING AN ACTION PLAN

SECTION 9: ANNUAL CONSORTIUM APPLICATION Brad Hasskamp

1.Attach all documents A.If one type of document does not apply to your consortium, please note it in your narrative i.Certain consortium tables ii.Sub-grantee tables 2.Grant assurances are included as part of your local program manual 3.Reviewers will be evaluating your tables TIPS ON SECTION

SECTION 10: NEW CONSORTIA AUTHORIZATION Brad Hasskamp

1.Only applicable for new or restructured consortia 2.Identify the consortium status A.First-time B.Restructured C.Low Performance 3.If information is articulated earlier, please cite where we can find it TIPS ON SECTION

HAS YOUR PERSPECTIVE CHANGED?

ABE Narrative Web Site: In “Program Management” Find “ABE Five-Year Narrative” page Brad Hasskamp, ABE Policy & Operations (651) FOR MORE INFORMATION…