Marie and All,

Happy September!  I must admit that I have not read all the postings on the listserv and so if the discussion I am suggesting has already happened, please forgive me.  

I would like to suggest  a  discussion  designing a system that efficiently moves  ESOL learners through to  ABE and ASE. For several years now my experience has been with non-native English learners who want to receive their high school diploma or GED. They get "stuck"  in ESOL classes that do not provide an integrated  curriculum that would allow them to move ahead.   How can we make the smooth transition from ESOL to ABE and how can we in Adult Education facilitate the learner through a pipeline? 

This summer I had the wonderful opportunity to attend  a number of professional development summer sessions that focused on assessment.  These sessions were offered to K12 teachers and administrators, but I found everything relevant to adult learners as well.  Competency-based assessment is my specialty, but I was introduced to the idea of formative vs. summative assessment and how both guide instruction in the classroom.  Understanding assessment would allow ESOL learners to work along side  native English speakers with teaching and learning being focused on the skills that need to be learned.  I believe this would make a great discussion topic.  Let me know if I can help.

Donna Chambers

From: Marie Cora 
  To: Assessment at nifl.gov 
  Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2007 2:12 PM
  Subject: [Assessment 906] September welcome!


  Dear Colleagues,

   

  Hello!  Welcome to September!  Welcome to those List Members who have been here for a while, and welcome to new subscribers as well.  If you are new to the List, please introduce yourself and let us know why you have subscribed to the Assessment Discussion List - what topics would you like to see focused on here?  And to veteran subscribers - what is on your minds these days?  What topics of interest would you like to see discussed?  

   

  I have in the works a couple of guest discussions that will take place this fall - one focused on GED and another focused on using data in the classroom as a follow up to our discussion last April on using data for program improvement (see below for info on accessing this discussion in the archives).  I would really like to have something focused on ESOL - any suggestions?  I have a few ideas but want to hear from you.

   

  For those of you who are new, let me share these List Tips, they can be very helpful.  Also - new folks may want to scroll down to read the information on using the Archives so that you can see what types of discussions we have had in the past. 

   

  Thanks so much - looking forward to hearing from you and having some great discussions here!

   

  Marie Cora

  Assessment Discussion List Moderator

   

  Discussion List Tips

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  This is when the Subject Line can be your best friend!  If the topic of discussion just isn't up your alley, or you simply don't have the time at the moment, the delete button is a good option.  No one is making you be a subscriber so you should feel no guilt!  It's all your choice!  Often subscribers say that they just can't hit delete for fear of missing something, but remember that all posts get logged automatically in the archives and so when you *do* have the time or when that topic area *does* interest you, you can go back and search for those posts in the archives.

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  In the right-hand toolbar:

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  Marie Cora

  marie.cora at hotspurpartners.com

  NIFL Assessment Discussion List Moderator

  http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/assessment

  Coordinator, LINCS Assessment Special Collection

  http://literacy.kent.edu/Midwest/assessment/

   

   



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