1. + Approved DL Platforms in Minnesota Minnesota ABE DL Toolkit

2. + Outline What is an approved DL platform? How are DL platforms approved? How can approved DL platforms be used? What are the approved DL platforms?

3. + What is an approved DL platform? An approved DL platform is one which has been approved by the State for proxy hours within ABE Approved platforms correspond to different levels of ABE instruction, from low-level literacy and English instruction through GED preparation and career pathways training

4. + How are DL platforms approved? DL platforms are approved by the MDE ABE office, as recommended by the Virtual Task Force The allowable proxy hours for each DL platform are determined through a rigorous process including publisher recommendations, ABE professional experience with each platform, and observations of ABE students completing the DL lessons The Virtual Task Force periodically reviews proxy hours for each platform, and makes any needed adjustments

5. + How can approved DL platforms be used? Approved DL platforms can be used in conjunction with traditional classroom instruction, for work outside the classroom (blended model) Approved DL platforms can be used as stand- alone means of instruction with ABE learners who are not enrolled in traditional classroom work Approved DL platforms can be used with other approved DL platforms

6. + One caution Proxy hours can only be claimed for work done on approved DL platforms outside the classroom This work must be done independently by learners

7. + What are the approved DL platforms? There are currently approximately 15 approved platforms Approved platforms include a variety of platforms designed to serve ABE learners at different levels

8. + There are three types of approved platforms State supported - paid for at the state level and available free to all MN ABE programs; technical assistance provided at state level Free – no license required and no cost; technical support not provided at state level Fee Based – Sites using these must purchase licenses directly from the publisher; sites must make own arrangements for technical support

9. + There are Three State-Funded DL Platforms i-pathways (formerly GED-i) Skills Tutor Key Train

10. + Proxy Hour Equivalent: 120 minutes per lesson Criteria for awarding Proxy Hour Equivalent: Completed module, verified by teacher Proxy Hour Documentation: Go to Student Report Tab, print Lessons Completed; also go to Portfolio tab, take screenshot of any surveys completed. Prerequisites: TABE reading score of 9 or higher to use this program independently, 8 to use as blended model, 7.5 to use in-class. Web-based: Yes Access: Cost paid by Minnesota State ABE.

11. + Skills Tutor Proxy Hours Equivalent: 1.5 hours per lesson module Criteria for awarding Proxy Hour Equivalent: Student achieves 70% or higher on lesson module post-test Proxy Hour Documentation: Copies of completed post- tests, with at least 75% correct Prerequisites: TABE Reading Score 6.0 or higher to use independently, blended, or in-class Web-based: Yes. Access: Cost paid by individual programs.

12. + Key Train Proxy Hour Equivalent: 2 hrs. per level - Reading for Information has 7 levels for a total of 14.5 hrs (including 30 minutes for the pretest at the beginning of the level); Locating Info has 6 levels for a total of 12.5 hrs (including 30 minutes for the pretest at the beginning of the level); Applied Math has 7 levels for a total of 14.5 hrs (including 30 minutes for the pretest at the beginning of the level). Criteria for awarding Proxy Hour Equivalent: Achieving at least 75% on level quizzes. Proxy Hour Documentation: Copies of completed quizzes, showing at least 75% correct Prerequisite: 4.0 TABE reading level is recommended. Web-based: Yes Access: There is a cost.

13. + Free Platforms English for All Mindqwest National Work Readiness Credential USA Learns

14. + Proxy Hour Equivalent: 6 hours per unit; total possible 120 proxy contact hours Criteria for awarding Proxy Hour Equivalent: Completed unit, verified by teacher Proxy Hour Documentation: Through learner account, print screenshot of units completed Prerequisites: CASAS score of 211-227 to use this program independently, 201-210 to use as blended model, 191-200 to use in-class Web-based: Yes Access: No cost

15. + Proxy Hour Equivalent: Varies by module - refer to Mindquest Academy; contact hours - Excel workbook Criteria for awarding Proxy Hour Equivalent: Completed module, verified by teacher Prerequisites: TABE reading score of 8 or higher to use this program independently, 7 to use as blended model or in-class. Web-based: Yes Access: Free.

16. + National Work Readiness Credential (NWRC) Proxy Hour Equivalent: 3 hours per module; total time = 18 hours, including test Criteria for awarding Proxy Hour Equivalent: Completed module, verified by teacher Proxy Hour Documentation: Using teacher portal, print monthly screenshot of 'table view' showing work completed Prerequisites: TABE reading score of 6 or higher to use this program independently, 5-6 to use as blended model, 4 to use in-class Web-based: Yes Cost: None to use the preparatory materials, for which proxy hours are awarded

17. + Proxy Hour Equivalent: 3 hours/unit for courses 1 and 2; 2 hours/unit for course 3 Criteria for awarding Proxy Hour Equivalent: Completed Unit Proxy Hour Documentation: Through teachers' portal, print screenshot of topic/units completed, with score Prerequisites: None. Web-based: Yes Access: Free.

18. + Fee Based A+dvancer Apex Learning, Inc. Crossroads Cafe Easy ESL Ellis Academics Learner Web Lifetime Library Plato Learning Environment

19. + Proxy Hour Equivalent: 30 minutes per test; 60 minutes per lesson Criteria for awarding Proxy Hour Equivalent: Completed test or lesson, verified by teacher Proxy Hour Documentation: Copies of completed test/lesson. Prerequisites: 8.0 TABE to use this program independently, 7.0 TABE to use as a blended model or in-class Web-based: Yes Access: Cost paid by individual program.

20. + Proxy Hour Equivalent: 1.5 hrs per lesson. Criteria for awarding Proxy Hour Equivalent: Attainment of at least 70% correct on unit assessment. Proxy Hour Documentation: Copies of completed unit assessment. Prerequisites: 6.0 on TABE D. Web-based: Yes Access: Cost ($200) paid by individual program.

21. + Crossroads Cafe Proxy hour equivalent: 5 hours per completion of module/portion, 130 hours maximum. Criteria for awarding Proxy Hour Equivalent: Workpackets completed to satisfaction of teacher. Proxy Hour Documentation: Copy of learner log/proxy hour worksheet Prerequisites: CASAS reading scores from 220-235 (ELL levels 4-6) recommended. Web-based: No (DVDs, teacher manual, and workbooks needed) Access: Cost paid by individual program.

22. + Easy ESL Proxy hour equivalent: Units 1-6: 4 hours per unit; units 7-12, 8 hours per unit; total possible hours – 72 Criteria for awarding Proxy Hour Equivalent: Completion of work packet (including quizzes and a final test) to the satisfaction of teacher Proxy Hour Documentation: Prerequisites: CASAS reading scores from 153-220 (ELL levels 0-6) recommended. Web-based: Both web-based and on DVDs. Access: Cost paid by individual program.

23. + Ellis Academics Proxy hour equivalent: 30 minutes per lesson Criteria for awarding Proxy Hour Equivalent: Completed lesson, verified by completing 70-80% of comprehension questions correctly Proxy Hour Documentation: Copies of completed comprehension questions, showing at least 70-80% correct Prerequisites: 180 CASAS Web-based: Yes Access: Cost paid by individual program

24. + Proxy Hour Equivalent: Varies by plan (approved plans are available here).here Criteria for awarding Proxy Hour Equivalent: Number of completed steps, verified through Learner Web report obtained from regional Administrator. Proxy Hour Documentation: Learner Web report obtained from regional Administrator. Prerequisite: Varies by plan. Web-based: Yes. Access: Varies by Region

25. + Proxy Hour Equivalent: 90 minutes per completed Chapter for a total of 6 hours per Book Criteria for awarding Proxy Hour Equivalent: Completed chapter, verified by teacher Proxy Hour Documentation: Copies of student completion pages - blue dots indicate student has started lesson, dark green indicate lesson completion Prerequisites: CASAS score of 236+ or TABE reading score of 5 to use this program independently, CASAS 228-236 or TABE 4 to use as blended model, CASAS 221-227 or TABE 3 to use in-class Web-based: Yes

26. + Plato Learning Environment Proxy Hours Equivalent: 1.5 hours per lesson module Criteria for awarding Proxy Hour Equivalent: Student achieves 70% or higher on lesson module post-testProxy Hour Documentation: Copies of completed post-tests, with at least 75% correct Prerequisites: TABE Reading Score 6.0 or higher to use independently, blended, or in-class Web-based: Yes. Access: Cost paid by individual programs.

27. + Questions? See www.mnabe_distancelearning/www.mnabe_distancelearning/ Email thysom@real-time.com

28. + Produced by St. Paul DL Supplemental Services grant, 2012 All rights reserved