1. Helping Missouri’s Immigrants
Through Education and Workforce Development

2. Pam Kaiser, East Central College, Adult Education and Literacy, English Language Acquisition Coordinator and Volunteer Coordinator
Brian Heldenbrand, East Central College, Adult Education and Literacy, Instructor
Missouri Job Center-Rolla, Workforce Development Specialist I

6. Self proclaimed English skills at nearly 80%

8. What Is AEL? Adult Education & Literacy Program
ABE/ASE
ELA
Working to improve English Skills
Working to improve Basic Skills
28 Programs across the state
Missouri is the #1 state for academic gain

9. Missouri Is #1 in the Nation
63% of the adult learners advanced at least one educational gain.
More than 17,000 students in
Nearly 5,600 were enrolled in English literacy.
97% of Missouri’s adult education students have a barrier to employment when entering the program.
Adult Education Program Participants in Missouri Lead the Nation in Achieving Academic Gain

10. English Language Acquisition (ELA)
Provides both English and Academic English for language skill development for higher education AND the workforce.
Provides pathway to US citizenship.

11. English Language Acquisition
Focuses on:
Reading
Writing
Listening
Speaking
Civics
Citizenship
Job skills and vocabulary
Student goals are:
Employment/Better job to match personal skills
Understand what people say (job safety and accuracy)
Better communication with others
Citizenship
TOEFL score development
College/Graduate School Enrollment
TABE Clas-E assessments, L 1-7 in R, W, L, S. As part of Wioa Title II, we incorp the other skills into class

12. Requirements for Students in ELA
At least age 16
English Language Learner not using an F1 Student Visa
We do not ask for VISA status other than this.

13. Where Does ELA Fit with WIOA?
Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (Title II)
Purpose: to provide adult education and literacy activities to assist adults:
To become literate and obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and economic self-sufficiency.
Who are parents to obtain the educational skills necessary to become full partners in the educational development of their children.
Attaining a secondary school diploma and in the transition to postsecondary education and training, including career pathways.

14. Where Does ELA Fit with WIOA?
AND
Assist English Language learners in improving literacy skills, mathematic skills and in acquiring an understanding of the American system of government, individual freedom and responsibilities of citizenship.

15. WIOA Priority of Services
Recipients of Public Assistance
Other Low-Income Individuals
Individuals Who Are Basic Skills Deficient*
Veterans

16. *WIOA sec. 3(5) defines basic skills deficient as referring to an individual:
Who is a youth with English reading, writing, or computing skills at or below the 8th grade level on a generally accepted standardized test: or
Who is a youth or adult, that is unable to compute or solve problems, or read, write, or speak English, at a level necessary to function on the job, in the individual’s family, or in society.**
**Note: Individuals who are English Language Learners meet the criteria for “basic skills deficient” and must be included in the priority populations for the Title I Adult program. See TEGL for the definition.

17. WIOA Performance Measures
Measurable Educational/Skills Gain
Employment
Credential Attainment
Achieved educational level gain as measured by a post-test using the standardized test TABE Clas-E
Enrolled in postsecondary education or training during the program year

18. Credential Attainment
Associate’s degree;
Occupational licensure;
Occupational certificate: including registered apprenticeship and career and technical education certificates;
Other recognized certificates of industry/occupational skills completion sufficient to qualify for entry-level or advancement in employment.
This does not include certificates for work readiness or those from workforce development boards (i.e. WorkKeys)

19. Integrated Education & Training (IET)
Adult Education and Literacy Programs
Career pathway
Employer collaboration and partnerships
Missouri Job Center collaboration
Community college and postsecondary education partnerships
Our AEL program is able to offer IET, with partnering and collaborating with several different entities

20. Integrated Education & Training
All local AEL programs are NOT required to provide IET, it is only one activity of many, that may be provided.
If a program does offer IET, not all students are required to participate.

21. IET Programs
Provide Adult Education & Literacy activities concurrently with Workforce Preparation and Workforce Training
• Potential short term credential programs
CNA
Welding
Digital Literacy
Construction
Hospitality
Childcare
Logistics
The challenge is to find what enough students are interested in

22. ELA Workforce Curriculum
Employment Sectors
Job search skills
Resume’ writing
Digital literacy
Career Exploration

23. Workforce Preparation – Employability Skills
Soft Skills
Communication
Leadership
Time management
Work ethic
Teamwork
Problem solving
Hard Skills
Proficiency in a foreign language
Degree or certificate
Machine operation
Computer skills

24. ELA Can Help Employees Find a Job At risk of losing their job
Interested in further training
To be successful in their job
For promotion
Basic Skills improvement
IET training

25. Workforce Benefits Utilize the talents of employees
Many are well-educated, professionals in their native country
Pharmacists, Engineers, Chemists, Physicists, CPA, Instructors
Utilize linguistically diverse skills
What other workforce benefits do immigrants provide?
Basic Skills improvement
IET training

26. Classes are FREE!!! How Much Does It Cost?
Programs throughout Missouri
Morning and evening classes
IET varies by program

27. Education Pays

29. Now the fun begins…

30. 170+ hours in class in the fiscal year 30 years old 1 year in USA
Case Study #1
Current test Levels 5-6
170+ hours in class in the fiscal year
30 years old
1 year in USA
Math/French instructor in Mexico
How can Missouri Job Centers help?
Self disclosed barrier to employment: English Language Learner and Cultural
Result: Bilingual customer service rep for local company

31. Permanent residency, but returns to home country to earn money
Case Study #2
Current test Levels 4-5
Has attended class for 2 months, this year and has enrolled the last 4 years
Permanent residency, but returns to home country to earn money
69 years old
College professor/researcher in home country
How can Missouri Job Centers help?
Self disclosed barrier to employment: English Language Learner, Cultural, and low income
Result: Sent to Voc Rehab. Denied food stamp assistance.

32. How can Missouri Job Centers help?
Case Study #3
Current test Levels 2-5
300+ hours in class this fiscal year, attends morning, evening and free class offered through a church
30 years old
In USA for 9 months
CPA in home country
How can Missouri Job Centers help?
Self disclosed barrier to employment: English Language Learner
Clearly determined, committed, wanting to work

33. Engineer in home country
Case Study #4
Current test Levels 4-5
10 hours in class this fiscal year (works 16 hours/day, 6 days/week with little time to attend class)
39 years old
In USA about 1 year
Won the lottery
Engineer in home country
How can Missouri Job Centers help?
Self disclosed barrier to employment: English Language Learner, Cultural, and Low income
Explain “Winning the Lottery”

34. Case Study #5
Current test Levels 4
230+ hours in class this fiscal year
48 years old
Won the Lottery
New citizen of the USA
Math instructor in home country
How can Missouri Job Centers help?
Self disclosed barrier to employment: English Language Learner, Cultural, and Low income

35. How Can Missouri Job Centers Help
If language barrier exists, refer to ELA classes
Interpretive services offered
Provide information for services available
Provide connection/networking opportunities
Assist with job search/career service opportunities
Local assistance/support reach out to meet a need
Counselling
Find help to transcribe transcripts to help find jobs in their area of expertise
Resumes

36. Resources:
academic-achievement?fbclid=IwAR3HVgbIfflns7gYT6b-GE1Sx0PBcRO_IngmLvde5VMfWdA4NCZ3rXRNiEA WIOA: Adult Education: A Crucial Foundation for Middle-Skill Jobs WIOA Overview: AEL: Not Your Old GED Program

37. Resources:
Missouri State Assessment of Adult Literacy (2003) Program for the International Assessment Adult Competencies (PIACC, 2012 & 2014) United States Census Bureau Quick Facts

38. Thank You