Adult Education Career Pathways: A New Beginning

Today’s Challenge 40 + million American adults do not have a high school diploma. 30 million American adults can perform only the most basic literacy tasks – this has not changed in more than a decade.

How are individuals who lack literacy skills functioning in the “Great Recession?” How will they impact the Nation as it begins to rebuild its economy?

Are our students prepared to contribute, collaborate and compete to better their lives and build a better world?

How Do We Best Prepare Our Students? AE students need counselors to help them design a career pathway plan upon intake into the program. The plan may not be complete but it has to begin on the front end.

Students need information about careers and can learn more though career choices DVD or online videos, college speakers, community professionals, etc. Students should also be required to use resources such as Choices.

Financial Support Students should complete the FAFSA as well as apply for local scholarships within their school district, community college, and local university.

Approximately 30% of the students who earned an adult high school or GED diploma in Florida entered a post- secondary program. What about the other 70%?

There is Only One Bottom Line Change is Not an Option… OUR students must graduate, transition into a post-secondary program and enter the workforce in a meaningful way.

Yesterday In 1950 a GED or traditional high school diploma could earn an individual a job that paid a living wage. 74% of America’s jobs did not require an education beyond the high school.

Today 70% of all jobs require at least some post-secondary training. 70% of all jobs require at least some post-secondary training. 40% of all jobs require at least an associates degree. 40% of all jobs require at least an associates degree. A GED/high school diploma have a street value of less than $15,000 a year. A GED/high school diploma have a street value of less than $15,000 a year.

Career Pathways Model Institution Programs Personal Growth Workforce Development Multiple Entry Points Multiple Exit Points Multiple Careers Multiple Degrees

Adult Career Pathways: 5 Step Process 8/7/201513

A Systemic Model Florida has developed a five year strategic plan to support the systemic implementation of the America’s first Adult Education Career Pathways program.

The Strategic Plan was developed by: The Chancellor’s Cabinet IPDAE With Input From: The FLDOE Standing Committees ACE of Florida Center for Occupational Research and Design American Institute for Research USDOE Program Specialist Use of past performance data

Focus of the Strategic Plan State Support and Responsibilities Local Support and Responsibilities and Allows significant flexibility to work in any adult education program

Mission In alignment with the FLDOE’s Next Generation Strategic Plan, Florida’s Adult Education Career Pathways Initiative is focused upon:

Mission (Con’t) Improving the quality of Adult Education programs by incorporating Career Pathways into program operation and curriculum. Strengthening core foundational skills through contextual learning to improve college and career readiness. Aligning resources to strategic goals.

Seven Areas of Focus Strengthen program design through career Pathways Infuse Career Pathways into curriculum and Instruction Improve quality of programs through professional development Improve student and program outcomes through quality assessment

Areas of Focus (Con’t) Build Partnerships Expand opportunities for student support services Demonstrate Accountability through data driven decision making

Strategic Vision To substantially increase the number of adult education students who transition into post-secondary degree and certificate programs.

1 st Year – Planning In the first year, agencies should focus on planning: researching, analyzing their data, improving program and curriculum, improving use of assessment and align student services procedures, as well as, training staff.

2 nd Year – Implementing In the second year, agencies should implement their action plans as developed in year one, encompassing the seven strategic areas of focus mentioned above.

3 rd Year – Refining In year three, adult education providers will be able to refine their action plans according to lessons learned in year two.

4 th Year – Evaluating In year four, A.E. providers should focus on evaluating the effectiveness of their Career Pathway Program.

5 th Year – Expanding In year five, agencies will be able to expand/improve their programs based on findings from the previous years as well as on new trends and demands.

Florida’s Strategic Plan Florida’s strategic plan for AECP is a multi-year approach that you can use to design a plan that will suit your program, students and service area.

The Best Plan You Can Create Considers Your current program Your students Your local economy The future Developing productive partnerships