Adult Basic Education Initiative: California Adult Education Adult Education Office California Department of Education

Why Now? Why ABE? Federal site review in 2001 and in 2008 recommended ABE program improvement ABE performance has declined in past two years Public reports for the past several years have called for improved adult education programs Number of Californians with less than high school education has increased by 11 percent; number with less than a 9 th grade education grown by 17 percent (2000 U.S. Census)

5,326, % of Adult population 13.3% years old 86.7% 25 years or older  Adult Population without a high school diploma California’s Literacy Need

Low Literacy Level-Low Earnings

Lower Literacy-Higher Poverty

“America’s Perfect Storm” Inadequate literacy and numeracy skills among student and adult populations Shift in the demographic profile powered by immigration Evolution of the economy and nation’s job structure, requiring higher skills “Half of America’s adults lack literacy skills needed for the 21 st century.”

% Change ALL$27,618$22,852$20, Education <12 yrs, no diploma22,68615,99816, HS diploma/GED30,81922,85421, years28,01826,75625, Bachelor’s degree35,39036,56535,000 Master’s or higher40,82638,08845,00010 Note: Earnings for men 20 – 29 years. Wages are in 2004 dollars. Decreased Earnings

“Reach Higher, America” High school dropout rates are staggering Low literacy in burgeoning prison population Large and growing English language and literacy need Focus on needs of the unemployed, low-skilled works, immigrants, parents with low skills, dropouts, and grads not ready for college Redefine the fundamentals of adult education Report of the National Commission on Adult Literacy, June

Scope of the ABE Initiative Eighteen month initiative Statewide focus on ABE and transitions Coordinated efforts of CDE, field, and leadership projects Based on data, research, and best practices

ABE Initiative Goals Improve student learning outcomes Improve student transitions into and out of ABE programs Improve quality of classroom instruction Improve support for ABE students Increase enrollment of ABE students

Desired Outcomes Student Level – Increased enrollment of under-represented populations – Improved student learning outcomes Agency Level – Improved quality of classroom instruction – Improved student transitions State Level – Established state-level partnerships

ABE Initiative Resources Targeted technical assistance Customized state, agency, class and student level data and analysis Research-based study circles and other professional development activities Networking opportunities Access to ABE specific curriculum and instruction resources