1. Monique Corral, Jonathan Vasquez & Julie Grair
Inspiring Growth and Development: New Courses and the Expansion of Counseling Services at Burbank Adult School
Monique Corral, Jonathan Vasquez & Julie Grair

2. Presentation Outline Burbank Adult School: Overview
“Accuplacer Preparation: ” New Course
Background & Context
Lessons Learned
Resources
Counseling:
New Services
Collaboration & New Partnerships
Services Under Development
Activity: Let’s Share!
Q&A

3. Burbank Adult School: Overview
Burbank Unified School District
Burbank Adult School:
Los Angeles Regional Adult Education Consortium (LARAEC)
Facts ( ):
Adult School sites: 5
Total enrollment: 4,064
Program enrollment
Student demographics

4. New Course… “Accuplacer Preparation:” Background & Context
What is Accuplacer?
College Board
Facilitates evaluation & placement of college students in basic skills areas (Levin & Calcagno, 2008)
Untimed, multiple choice, computer-adaptive & immediate results
Why is providing preparation for Accuplacer important?
Video: “LAVC Assessment”
Underperformance & limited supports & preparation (Complete College America, 2011)
Address student needs & gap in education pipeline for Adult Education students transitioning to postsecondary education

5. “Accuplacer Preparation:” Course Overview
Course description (ASE):
Prepare students for Accuplacer testing experience
Course offerings:
Summer 2016: Tuesdays, 6pm-9pm (6 weeks)
Fall 2016 & Spring 2017: Saturdays, 9am-12pm (9 weeks)
Course goals:
What, how & why of tests:
Computer-adaptive, multiple-choice & untimed
Not pass or fail… results reflect skill levels
Re-test policy
Hands-on practice: Sample questions & tests!
Pedagogy: Student-centered & instruction-based
Placement

6. “Accuplacer Preparation:” Lessons Learned
Student feedback:
I learned… “how the Accuplacer works & how it’s different from the GED.”
The class… “helped take away a lot of the unknown & anxiety of taking the tests & that’s half the battle.”
Preparation material:
Online
GED books, Khan Academy & Aztec
Collaboration & partnerships:
Community College Outreach & Recruitment, Assessment Center
On-site:
Application workshop
Test administration
Student attendance
Marketing:
High schools

7. “Accuplacer Preparation:” Resources
College Board (online):
Resources from Community College Assessment Centers (online):
Los Angeles Valley College:
Los Angeles Mission College:
Glendale Community College:
Review sessions (community college)
Khan Academy:

8. New Counseling Services
Expansion of Services:
Counseling office: Open 6 days/week (Monday-Saturday)
Hired additional counselor: Wednesday-Saturday
Meet with ALL students!
“Individual Action Plan (IAP)”
“Student Information & Planning Sheet”
Pros:
Meeting needs of more students
Providing different types of resources to students
Cons:
Difficulties contacting & meeting all students
Not all CTE & ESL students may want counseling

9. New Counseling Services
Classroom Presentations:
Post-secondary options (“Success in the New Economy” by Kevin Fleming)
Transitioning from ESL Level 6 to Adult Basic Education
Encouraging ESL 1-3 students to move forward
Campus Visits:
LA Trade Tech
LA Valley College
Glendale Community College
LA Mission College
Cal State University, Northridge (student feedback)

10. New Counseling Outreach Services
Remind app to connect with students
Graduation Checklist
Participate in community career fair events
Annual “College & Career Fair”

11. Collaboration & New Partnerships
On-site services:
Department of Rehabilitation
Verdugo Jobs Center
Glendale Youth Alliance
Los Angeles Valley College
Glendale Community College
ABC Electrical Apprenticeship program
Los Angeles Mission College Career Planning class…

12. New Partnership Class Career Planning class with LA Mission College…
Pros:
Students can earn:
1 college unit &
5 credits for High School Diploma
Retention:
Enrolled: 27
Dropped: 5
Positive feedbacks from students
Cons:
Time-sensitive process:
Need more than 1 enrollment session
Proper enrollment (paper application, etc.)

13. Counseling Services Under Development
Student Support
Electronic Individual Student Plan
Computerized
Easy access for students & counselors
Resources will be listed on BAS website
Mentorship/retention program

14. Activity: Let’s Share! “Accuplacer Preparation” course:
Could your students benefit from an “Accuplacer Preparation” course? Why or why not?
What might be some challenges associated with getting an “Accuplacer Preparation” course up & running at your site? How might you address these challenges?
If your site offers an “Accuplacer Preparation” course, discuss what is working and what isn’t.
Counseling services:
How have your counseling services evolved? What services are new & may set you apart from services provided at other sites?
What are some challenges associated with your site’s counseling services?
What counseling services would you like to see at your site that aren’t there?

15. Contact Information:
Monique Corral, Academic Teacher:
Jonathan Vasquez, Academic & College/Career Counselor:
Julie Grair, Academic & College/Career Counselor: