My ABE program is a partnership and the lower two ESOL levels are held
at the CBO partners and then move to the college for the next 2 ESOL
levels.  We have a minimum of 15 in the first 2 levels and 20 in the
next two.  Now we are looking at what to do with our ABE class that are
all non native speakers.

Toni

 

From: assessment-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:assessment-bounces at nifl.gov]
On Behalf Of McLaughlin, Deborah
Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 2:51 PM
To: The Assessment Discussion List
Cc: Stevens, Alison
Subject: [Assessment 1917] Re: Basic Reading Skills Discussion Begins
Today!

 

Hi Toni,

 

Do you have class minimums that you must meet within the college
setting? I've been in ABE in the college system in Washington for 10
years now, and I've never seen enough numbers of low-level native
English speakers come to colleges at the same time to form a viable
class. 

 

One year, because we were so intent on not turning away Level 1 and 2
ABE readers, we experimented with using Corrective Reading (an SRA
product) in a blended ABE/ESL class - kind of a supplement. It was
wildly popular, and seemed pretty effective for everyone.

 

 

Debbie McLaughlin

Director of Basic & Transitional Studies

Seattle Central Community College

206-587-4142

 

 

 

From: assessment-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:assessment-bounces at nifl.gov]
On Behalf Of Borge, Toni
Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 7:23 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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