Tom and Toni,
I'm happy to know that the fears about basic skills being neglected because
of transitions are unfounded. I will be certain to share your experiences
with others. 
Dianna

  _____  

From: assessment-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:assessment-bounces at nifl.gov] On
Behalf Of Mechem, Thompson
Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 11:14 AM
To: The Assessment Discussion List
Subject: [Assessment 1911] Re: Basic Reading Skills Discussion
BeginsToday!(TM)


I'm right with Toni on this. For our Next Steps Committee, the transition
from GED through the college placement test to credit-bearing college
courses is a major focus, but we have also identified several other leaks in
the transitions pipeline, specifically the low percentage of Intermediate
Readers who ever get to the all-important Advanced level and the
higher-level ESOL students having difficulty transitioning to ABE. I think
Transitions is the rising tide that lifts all boats.
 

Tom Mechem 
GED State Chief Examiner 
Department of Elementary & Secondary Education 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
781-338-6621 
"GED to Ph.D." 

 

  _____  

From: assessment-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:assessment-bounces at nifl.gov] On
Behalf Of Borge, Toni
Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 10:23 AM
To: The Assessment Discussion List
Subject: [Assessment 1909] Re: Basic Reading Skills Discussion Begins Today!



I can understand your concern that students at the lowest level will be
neglected with the focus on transitions but as someone who manages a program
that offers classes from Basic Literacy through transitions, I believe that
the focus on transitions highlights the need to provide students at the
lowest level the strongest foundation in reading skills in order to
successfully succeed in transitioning to higher education or job training.
We know that one barrier our adult students are facing in their quest for
better jobs and education is their weakness in reading skills and
transitions classes have arisen to address this deficit.  

 

What is needed is to focus more on strengthening reading skills in the lower
level which through time will eliminate the need for transitions classes.

Toni Borge

Director Adult Education & Transitions Program

Bunker Hill Community College

Boston, MA

 

From: assessment-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:assessment-bounces at nifl.gov] On
Behalf Of Dianna Baycich
Sent: Tuesday, May 26, 2009 2:28 PM
To: 'The Assessment Discussion List'
Subject: [Assessment 1898] Re: Basic Reading Skills Discussion Begins Today!

 

In response to Marie's question, the report shows that there is a continuing
need for adult literacy, especially at the lowest levels. With the current
focus on transitions in adult education, there is a concern that students at
these lowest levels will be neglected. 

 

The report also highlights the importance of reading fluency. Adult literacy
teachers often neglect fluency, saying their students would "rather die than
read out loud". How can we help students improve their reading fluency in a
non-threatening way?

 

Dianna

 

  _____  

From: assessment-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:assessment-bounces at nifl.gov] On
Behalf Of Marie Cora
Sent: Tuesday, May 26, 2009 9:28 AM
To: Assessment at nifl.gov
Subject: [Assessment 1897] Basic Reading Skills Discussion Begins Today!

Hello everyone, I hope this email finds you well.

 

Today begins our discussion on


Basic Reading Skills and the Literacy of the America's Least Literate
Adults: Results from the 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL)
Supplemental Studies


I am pleased to welcome Dr. Sheida White and Dr. John Sabatini as guests for
this 4-day discussion.  Please visit the URL below for the full announcement
and information on accessing the report.


http://www.nifl.gov/lincs/discussions/assessment/09readingskills.html

 

I hope you have had the opportunity to read through the Executive Summary of
the report.  Please send your questions and comments about the report to the
discussion list now.  

 

I will start us off with a question for subscribers:  What does the report
tell you about the need for adult literacy services today, and how might
this affect your program practice?

 

Thanks!

 

Marie

 

 

Marie Cora

Assessment Discussion List Moderator

 

 

 

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