Staff Development Activities for FY 2000

Iowa Department of Education — Adult Education

Prepared by

Sally Schroeder

The following is submitted as a summary for all the activities conducted in the areas of state staff development for the period of July 1, 1999 through June 30, 2000.

Major activities:

  • The annual Adult Basic Education (ABE) Institute was held in Marshalltown. This 2-day conference was an opportunity for 150 teachers from community colleges and corrections, ABE coordinators, workforce and businesses to receive professional development in the areas of ABE, ESL and GED. One of the keynote speakers was First Lady Christie Vilsack.

  • Seven workshops on the National Reporting System (NRS) were conducted. ABE coordinators and lead teachers attended quadrant session in the fall. Material covered included the history of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), reasons for the NRS, Iowa's data collection strategy, and the CASAS TOPS Pro as a method for recording data to demonstrate learner gains. A document titled Iowa TOPS Pro Data Dictionary was developed to provide a standardized methodology of coding and reporting ABE program data in relation to the NRS. Another set of workshops was conducted in the spring to provide clarification of the NRS and data dictionary.

    Future plans for the NRS involve three workshops planned for the fall of 2000. At this time attendees will be given any new information from the US Department of Education, review the updated data dictionary and answer questions on reporting using the TOPS Pro forms. An ICN is planned to give coordinators a chance to interact with CASAS personnel. The data dictionary has been updated several times and can easily be updated. Two TOPS Pro specialists have been contracted to offer technical assistance to all community colleges. They will meet with staff to conduct step-by-step training in setting up TOPS Pro.

  • An ICN for special needs accommodations in GED was conducted for over 70 teachers including those in corrections.

    Future plans include a teleconference in the fall of 2000 for the GED 2002. Updates will be a part of the transition to the GED 2002.

  • Workplace Essential Skills (WES) workbooks were distributed in cooperation with IPTV. Iowa took part in recording the WES series. Teachers were able to use the videos and workbooks in their workplace curriculum.

  • Publicity included the Governor's Proclamation and a brochure promoting basic skills. Several radio interviews were given based on PSAs sent throughout the state. The brochure will be used for linking business to the community colleges specifically in the areas of basic skills.

  • Writing skills introduced a competency-based approach to teaching writing skills to adults. The workshops were coordinated with research. This is an integral part of the Iowa Basic Skills certification. Writing will complete the certification with math and reading. Forty teachers received certification in Stage 1 of the CASAS Functional Writing Skills. Three sessions were held and assignments completed. Those certified will be able to administer, evaluate, score writing samples and issue certificates.

    Future plans for the fall involve a workshop for the teachers who will advance to Stage 2.

Linkages with other agencies:

Iowa Literacy Resource Center - Involvement with the Iowa Literacy Council, presence at conferences, staff development committee and data collection are all examples of the center's importance. The center posts publications and acts as a depository for resources. New Readers Conference was held for 40 adult readers. This annual event was sponsored by the Iowa Literacy Resource Center. The Iowa Literacy Council met on a quarterly basis. This advocacy group represents a wide range of citizens. A sub-committee was responsible for producing the literacy brochure. Future plans include TOPS Pro data collection.

Corrections - Staff from corrections have been included in staff development. An inservice was presented at the First Corrections Conference. Two correctional facilities were visited and classrooms observed.

Drake University - The Drake Resource Center was visited and staff was invited to staff development offerings. In the future an associate professor will develop teacher competencies and certification with graduate credit. A relationship with ASTD and Drake will assist in connecting business and industry through conference sponsorship.

K-12 - Several task forces have convened in the areas of ESL and family literacy. The Department of Education's ESL conference has a large ABE representation. In the future a teacher will be CASAS-certified and direct teacher training in ESL and assessment. The Department's EvenStart personnel have been helpful in the connection of ABE in family literacy. Business and industry - A literacy brochure was produced for connections to the community colleges and business and industry. A CASAS presentation was given to the Apprenticeship Conference. Future plans include a project with the Association of Builders and Contractors (ABC) for the CASAS assessment of all first year apprentices. If basic skills are needed, the community colleges will provide training.

Iowa Joint Volunteers Association - The Bureau of Refuge Services has monthly meetings and updates are distributed to the ABE coordinators.

First Lady of Iowa - The Stories 2000 had input from an advisory committee. The First Lady has been a member of the Iowa Literacy Council and has been an advocate for all areas of literacy.

State staff development committee:

The State Staff Development Committee has had representation from every community college. Bi-monthly telenets and a spring face-to-face meeting were held. A booklet of the following professional development was available for all teachers through state staff development funds:

  • Peer visits - staff members travel to other community colleges to observe, learn and give feedback through pre-arranged visits.
  • ABE Institute - mentioned above.
  • Practitioner Research grants - teacher/tutors are offered incentives to conduct research projects for the purpose of increasing the knowledge base of adult learning, instruction or program instruction.
  • State and national conferences - in order to offer a broader range of opportunities for ABE staff, information about and funding for conferences is provided. Attendees are encouraged to share information by presenting materials at inservices and the annual ABE institute. An ESL teacher attended TESOL and she will become Iowa's lead instructor.
  • Traveling workshops - special interest programs presented by ABE staff at local or quadrant sites. These workshops rely on community college ABE staff expertise. Five colleges provided a technology workshop with 80 attending.
  • Statewide workshops and quadrant offerings - staff development provide on current issues. Seven workshops on the NRS, two on writing skills and ICNs were presented. In the next year there will be staff development in the areas of NRS, ESL, family literacy and GED 2002.
  • The Wilson Study - provides an opportunity to raise questions about teaching methods. Presented on Friday/Saturday, teachers discussed critical thinking and were able to share how they used this in curriculum. Next year's study will focus on methods for teaching math.
  • Conference Presenter Sponsorship - the state staff development committee encourages active participation of ABE personnel in these events. There was a representation at the Iowa Association of Lifelong Learning Conference, ESL Conference, Learning Disabilities Association-Iowa Conference.
  • Publicity - information about State Staff Development activities and opportunities is shared with educators across the sate. This year a brochure to promote literacy was produced in cooperation with the Iowa Literacy Council. The State Staff Development booklet was produced and distributed at the ABE Institute. The Governor signed a proclamation, a news conference and public service announcements were a part of Literacy Day. Governor's Volunteer Awards were given to17 teachers, tutors or businesses that were recognized by the Governor for their efforts in literacy promotion. Nominations were received and letters were sent to honorees.

Future staff development:

In addition to the previously-mentioned staff development, the following are also planned.

  • Family literacy project - A pilot site has been established. This site will act as a model in the collaboration with the community college and other agencies, ABE, and family activities.
  • Distance learning - ICNs will continue to be an alternate method of delivering training. On-line courses will be developed for teachers. One of the first on-line courses will be teacher-orientation.
  • POWER - 4 community colleges will pilot this special needs program.



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Posted August 25, 2000