Rhode Island Adult Education Professional Development Center



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 The Rhode Island Adult Education Professional Development Center produces a bulletin roughly every two to three weeks in order to inform area practitioners of news, events, and
  calls for participation and also as a forum for posing questions, issues and discussion topics. The current bulletin is posted below.

 
To read previous bulletins, go to Bulletin Archives.  To receive the bulletin via email, contact LR/RI.

 
To learn more about professional development opportunities, please contact the RI AEPDC at (401) 456 -2838 or (401) 863-2839

    October 21
, 2008

  Bulletin #282

  Dear Colleagues, 

  Calls for participation, employment, funding, and conference and workshop opportunities, online and other resources. 
  To post information,  and/or to receive the bulletin via email, 
please contact the AEPDC or leave a message at (401-863-2839).
 

Janet Isserlis signature

 Janet Isserlis



  
NOTICES - – in addition to events listed here, a recently updated list of events  (including workforce development workshops, new practitioner
  orientation, standards overview - and rescheduled events) can be found at http://www.ric.edu/aepdc/calendar.php  


  Case Managers and /or Job Developers in adult education are invited to participate in a newly established monthly share group meeting. 
 A great time to participate in forming the agenda for the year.  Next meeting is Wednesday, October 22nd at 9:30 for Case Managers and 11:00 for Job Developers. 
 You are welcome to attend either one or both!  Warwick Public Library.  For information, please contact Robin Adams (radams@ric.edu).


 ESOL share Tuesday, October 28th at 3:00 pm,
Genesis Center, 620 Potters Avenue, Providence.
 Open topic – please think about approaches you’ve been using that work – or challenge you – for us to discuss. 
 As well: what’s online? http://www.brown.edu/lrri/esol.html and  http://www.brown.edu/lrri/advocate.html - input?


 Practitioner share, Thursday, October 23rd 3:00 p.m. at Crossroads RI, 160 Broad Street, Providence.

 Many practitioners struggle with helping adult learners stay engaged in learning.  Responding to people's lives: Developing Adult teaching and learning, by
 Appleby and Barton, combines awareness of the complexities of adults’ lives while also focusing on classroom practice. Please join the discussion.
 Visitor parking is available in the YMCA parking lot;  please enter through the Copy Center; contact janet_isserlis@brown.edu for more information.


 Please join us on Wednesday, October 29th, from 3 to 5 at the Genesis Center in an examination of issues pertaining to violence, trauma and mental stress in
 the lives of adult learners and practitioners.  at the Genesis Center
 Many of us are aware of issues that get in the way of learning and teaching. During this extended conversation/ workshop, we'll review some of the work that
 has been done in supporting adult educators whose work encompasses ongoing contact with men and women experiencing various stresses and strains - some of
 which have a direct impact on learning and classroom interaction. What do we already know about dealing with trauma, mental health and learning? What
 resources are available? What resources do we need to strengthen or develop?
 The purpose of this session is to review what we know, pool our knowledge and see if there are other people, resources/materials that we can access in order to
 ensure that our classrooms and workspaces are safe and welcoming places for all of us. Among other things, we'll consider issues of classroom practice, policy
- both within and across programs and access to resources.   Please contact Jessica Ortiz (jortiz@ric.edu) if you’re able to join us.  
  (some resources that may be of use: http://www.brown.edu/lrri/screen.html)


 policy forum October 28 from 1 to 2:30 PM. register at: http://collegetransition.org/fall08policyforum.html
 Addressing Adult Learners Financial Barriers to Postsecondary Education -  organized for state adult education  directors and/or their designees. Guest experts
 from the Council of  Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) will share from their recent  study, Adult Learning in Focus. Participants are encouraged to share challenges,
 questions and successes in their efforts  to make college education more affordable for adults. This is the first of a three interactive webinars geared to help advance the
 sharing and formation of policies that support adult learners' access to and success in college. The topic of the second form is dual enrollment, to be held in February.
 

 Building Futures offers a construction skills based GED class to help young men and women move into apprenticeships in the construction trades.
 Union apprenticeships combine well paid jobs with structured on the job training which enables the worker to advance. The starting wages of construction
 apprenticeships are well above minimum wage. The GED class is a first step toward meeting the requirements for these positions. Classes are held at Nickerson
 House in Olneyville. The class is free and open to GED students 18+.
 To join the next class cycle, you must attend one of these orientations: November 5: 6-8 PM; November 6: 3-5 pm; or November 7: 9:30-11:30 AM.
 Call 919-5919x203 to enroll. If you would like printed announcements to post in your organization please email Beatrice McGeoch at bmcgeoch@provplan.org.
 

Wednesday, November 19, The Columbus Theatre, 270 Broadway, Providence - Home Across Lands, a film that chronicles the work of International Institute of RI staff and
 volunteers as they guide a group of Kunaman refugees making the transition from a life of despair in the Shimelba Refugee Camp in Ethiopia, Africa to a life of hope in their
 new home in Providence. 6:30: Patron Reception  7:15: Film Showing General Admission: $35 Reserved Seats: $100 Sponsorship Options: $500 to $5,000+ includes tickets, Patron Reception. To reserve tickets or for information contact Jessica Barry at jbarry@iiri.org or 401.784.8619.


 The Change Agent Adult Education for Social Justice: News, Issues, and Ideas
 CALL FOR ARTICLES
 Please submit illustrations, cartoons, and graphics on this theme too! Theme: Health

Attending to your health can be a challenging task. You have to find the right providers, deal with health insurance companies (if you’re insured), take time for healing, and sometimes work hard to get the attention you (and your family) need. The next issue of The Change Agent will focus on the personal, social, political, and financial concerns related to being healthy and dealing with illness. We are interested in hearing from teachers and adult learners about your experiences, stories, lessons, and reflections on health. You may use the following questions as writing prompts, but please don’t feel limited by them. And please don’t try to answer all these questions. Pick one or two and explore them, sharing your own personal perspective.

Questions for students and teachers to think about:

• What do you do to stay healthy?
• How do you take care of your mental health as well as your physical health?
• What is the most challenging aspect of health care for you and your family?
• Do you use alternative medicine, like acupuncture or homeopathy? What is your experience with these practices?
• What do you need in your personal life to feel healthier?
• What do you need in your community to feel healthier?
• What health practices did you learn in your country of origin or in your childhood that are different from what is commonly practiced now?
• Share some home remedies that you may have learned from other family members or community members. Do these remedies work for you?
All articles must be received by November 6, 2008.
Suggested length is 500-1,200 words. Final decisions are made by The Change Agent editorial board. We cannot print writing that criticizes or endorses an
y political candidate or party. A stipend of $50 will be paid to each adult education student whose work is accepted for publication in this issue.
Please send material (preferably by email) to: Cynthia Peters, NELRC/World Education, 44 Farnsworth St., Boston, MA 02210Phone: 617-482-9485
fax: 617-482-0617.Email: cpeters @worlded.org

All articles and emails MUST include contact information for the student and/or the teacher.

 The mission of The Change Agent is to provide news, issues, ideas, and other teaching resources that inspire and enable adult educators and learners to make civic
 participation and social justice concerns part of their teaching and learning. It is published by the New England Literacy Resource Center.


 The September 2008 issue of The Change Agent - Making Sense of Climate Change – is  available.
 A deeper understanding of global warming, reasons for hope, actions you can take, opportunities for justice - these are just some of the reasons to bring the current issue of
 The Change Agent into your ABE or ESOL classroom. This issue offers 60 pages of short articles, illustrations, cartoons, math lessons, and quizzes to break down the science,
 economics, and everyday effects of global warming.
 Learn about greenhouse gases, energy-saving tricks that also save money, green jobs, justice-based solutions to climate change, and how adult learners are
 teaching their kids about conservation, saying no to junk mail, and lobbying their mayors to do more for the environment.
 http://www.nelrc.org/changeagent Support the Change Agent’s ongoing work to make social justice part of the adult education classroom.

 - Cynthia Peters, editor; cpeters@worlded.org
 


  learning opportunities

NAASLN webinars: http://www.naasln.org/webinars.htm. Upcoming topics include GED Accommodations, and Math. $20 for members, $30 for non-members.


 National Priorities Project
analyzes and clarifies federal data so that people can understand and influence how their tax dollars are spent. 
 Numeracy, critical thinking and technology:  have a look http://www.nationalpriorities.org/costofwar_home  

funding opportunities - large and less large
  Verizon Foundation -- Education, Literacy and Health Grants
 The Verizon Foundation aims to help people increase their literacy and educational achievement; avoid being an abuser or a victim of domestic violence; and achieve and sustain their health and
 safety. To achieve this goal, the Foundation funds programs in the following areas of interest: education, literacy, domestic violence prevention, healthcare and accessibility and Internet safety.

 Eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status. Proposals will also be considered from elementary and secondary schools that are registered
 with the National Center for Education Statistics.
 Deadline: November 1, 2008 Contact the Verizon Foundation directly for complete program information and application guidelines:
 http://foundation.verizon.com/grant/guidelines.shtml
 

- other grants from the Public Education Network: http://www.publiceducation.org/newsblast_grants.asp

- The federal government's new one stop grant site: http://www.grants.gov/


  The Poverty & Race Research Action Council (PRRAC) announces another round of education reform grants in areas of social science research.  PRACC is particularly interested in issues such as high
  classroom turnover/mobility and its disproportionate impact on low-income, minority, and farm worker students.  However, other issues will be considered as well.  To apply, send PRRAC a proposal outlining
  the planned research and methodology, the advocacy work it is designed to support, a budget, timeline, and qualifications of the researchers.  Maximum grant: $10,000. 
  No application deadline. http://www.prrac.org/grants.php

  Funding Solutions for Small Nonprofit Organizations
  A collection of resources to help small nonprofit organizations fundraise including ways to motivate your board, sample fundraising letters, phonathon advice, and tips to improve your
  direct mail solicitation.        http://www.nonprofit-innovations.com/

employment opportunities
  employment opportunities are generally sent as they arrive via email; if you would like to receive this bulletin, and those updates by email please
  contact janet_isserlis@brown.edu.


Substitute teaching:
The Genesis Center is interested in adding to its substitute list. If you are an ESOL instructor who is interested in occasional work as a substitute, either day, evening or
Saturday hours, please call Nancy Fritz or Pat Clarkin at 781-6110.


Jobs in Literacy – nation wide postings on the National Institute for Literacy's LINCS site: http://www.nifl.gov/cgi-bin/lincs/jobs/jobs.cgi

Substitute list: if you would like your name added to the general list, please see contact LR/RI.  The list needs to be updated so that it can function more usefully for teachers and programs hoping to
work with them. (http://www.brown.edu/lrri/sub.html)

 Rhode Island Community Jobs (RICOMJOB) is a public e-mail announcement list that seeks to raise the profile of meaningful work in Rhode Island by helping non-profit and public interest
 employers publicize openings effectively. Anyone seeking a job that makes a difference in Rhode Island can join the list.  Any non-profit, government or private sector employer advertising a paid
 position related to the public interest or community concerns can post a free job listing.  Positions must be paid but may be part-time, full-time or temporary.

 To join the list as a job seeker or to post a job as an employer go to: http://www.ricommunityjobs.org

 Rhode Island Community Jobs is supported by the Swearer Center for Public Service at Brown University and the Rhode Island Campus Compact. 
 If you have questions about this service, please  contact us at ricomjob@brown.edu



online / resources available
  Health and literacy are inextricably linked, and health and literacy providers are working together in new and exciting ways to use that link for positive results. The newest issue of Focus on Basics is
 packed with articles on a wide variety of partnerships: between nursing and teacher educators in the university, between medical schools and literacy programs, between health  educators and literacy students, between health planners  and literacy providers.  Also included is a long-awaited report on a 5-year study of the impact of a literacy curriculum that incorporate health information on the literacy
 skills and health knowledge of learners, a new way to look at what the health information in the National Assessment of Adult Learning reveals, and how to use illustrations
 effectively in health education materials. Authors include Dr. Susan Levy, Dr. Andrew Pleasant, and Dr. Ian Bennett and colleagues, and National Institute for Literacy's
 Health Literacy discussion list moderator Julie McKinney.
 Download Focus on Basics, Volume 9, Issue B, Health & Literacy Partnerships. from the right hand column of publisher World Education's home page:
 http://www.worlded.org  or find the new issue and all past issues at http://www.ncsall.net/fileadmin/resources/fob/2008/fob_9b.pdf and http://www.ncsall.net/index.php?id=31

 a manual of family numeracy activities,
ready to use in early literacy programs, day care centres, primary grades and Adult Basic
 Education/Literacy programs. Patterns, recipes, and hand-outs all included (109 pages). Download your free copy:  
 http://www.nald.ca/library/learning/familymath/cover.htm
 Math for the whole person: Spirit, heart, body and mind are all connected in the activities in this book. When we balance the
 spirit, heart, body and mind, math becomes part of our whole lives, not a beast or a barrier.
 Activities for the whole family: Things to do in the kitchen and on a walk, rhymes, games, and things to make, all to
 promote math thinking and learning.  For more information:  Kate.Nonesuch@viu.ca.  
 Funded by The Office of Literacy and Essential Skills, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada 
 

English for your health: A Health Literacy Curriculum for Beginning ESOL Learners, a site designed to teach high-beginner to
 low intermediates preventive health care and to interact with health care providers.
 http://www.queenslibrary.org/index.aspx?page_nm=ALP_English_Health
 

 survey on advocacy – information about resources:
 The National Coalition for Literacy (NCL) is interested in your opinion on the need for advocacy resources that will help others overcome challenges to
 participating in adult literacy public policy advocacy.
 http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=ZWa5JKLDsJilZjENAhSloQ_3d_3d
 Please complete this survey by October 28, 2008; it should take less than 10 minutes to complete. The NCL will use the results to develop the Online Advocacy
 Clearinghouse and Toolkit. This Web-based toolkit will be a one-stop online collection linking to existing advocacy resources as well as to new resources you
 would like to see developed. The toolkit will be available online in January. - Jackie Taylor Consultant to the National Coalition for Literacy advocacy@ncldc.net
 

from Thursday notes, October 16,  2008:
  States Can  Download New Conference Resources   
 State directors and state staff can now download material that OVAE provided to participants in the New State Directors’ Management Workshop. These general and
 session-specific resources are available online until OVAE completes its new homepage currently under construction. http://www.nsdworkshop.com/materials.htm
           
 New York State Community College Sets Retention Strategies       
 Hudson Valley Community College in New Albany, N.Y., is focusing on keeping students enrolled long enough to earn a two-year degree. One of the college's fastest growing
 retention-assistance programs is its learning center, which offers tutoring to students who seek academic help. Tutors are full-time employees and provided about 12,800 hours
 of tutoring to nearly 1,800 students who visited the learning center last year. Students using the learning center more often have higher grade point averages than less frequent
 visitors. Rising HVCC enrollments may be related to economic distress, so another retention strategy is the college’s Collegiate Assistance Support Program.  The program
 offers an emergency fund to lend money to students dealing with barriers to study arising outside the classroom. Last year the college distributed more than $2,000 to students
 to purchase everything from bus passes and supermarket gift cards to textbooks and medical attention so that they could continue their studies.
 http://blog.acuho-i.org/2008/10/keep-em-if-you-got-em/


 Available on the CAELA Network Web site - the September issue of Network News, a quarterly newsletter. Check out information on CAELA Network state meetings,
  publications from the Network for practitioners working with adult English language learners, and links to information about conferences of interest to these practitioners.
  http://www.cal.org/caelanetwork/newssept08.html To subscribe to this online publication, send an email to  caelanetwork@cal.org


 
  The National College Transition Network's newest publication, The College Transition Toolkit,
is a comprehensive guide to program planning and implementation that
  draws on the expertise of practitioners from The New England ABE-to-College Transition Project and around the country. The Toolkit contains detailed
 information to help adult educators and administrators plan for the needs of students interested in pursuing postsecondary education and training. Chapter titles
  include: Program Models; Partnerships and Collaborations; Recruitment; Assessment; Counseling; Curriculum and Instruction; Planning; and Using Data for
  Program Development. The toolkit also provides templates that you can download and adapt for use in developing your college transition program, links to a variety of online resources, and supplementary printable resources.

 For more details about the toolkit and information on ordering, visit  http://collegetransition.org/toolkit.html
 Other questions?  Please contact Priyanka Sharma at 617-385-3788 or psharma@worlded.org.
 

 The Centre for Literacy in Montréal has posted presentations from its 2008 summer institute on ESL and Literacy.
 http://www.centreforliteracy.qc.ca/whatsnew/sli2008/index.htm


 RI DLT's Rhode Island Red job search feature is now drawing job postings from ALL local jobs boards (except Monster.com).
 To access this resource visit RI RED http://www.dlt.ri.gov/rired/ -- under quick menu click job search; choose location search criteria, provide job title or other
 criteria. Source codes are listed at the bottom of the page
 

 
 Office of Disability Employment Policy Releases three new Publications

 Soft Skills: The Competitive Edge http://www.dol.gov/odep/pubs/fact/softskills.htm 

 Tips on How Parents Can Put Their Children with Disabilities on the Path to Future Employment http://www.dol.gov/odep/pubs/fact/parenttips.htm

 Recruiting Young People with Disabilities:  A Hiring Strategy with Bottom Line Benefits http://www.dol.gov/odep/pubs/fact/rypwd.htm



 Guidance documents from the UK’s Skills for Life
http://excellence.qia.org.uk/page.aspx?o=Guidance 
 – contextualizing work for those with clearly identified learning difficulties (defined as): physical and sensory impairments – for example those with mobility difficulties or hearing or visual impairments; unseen
 disabilities such as health conditions, mental health  difficulties and dyslexia; those whose disrupted learning experiences (for example those in offender establishments) and difficulties with learning have led them
 to work at a significantly lower level than the majority of  their peers.

 
  numeracy resources: The Problem Solver, Massachusetts math newsletter, online at http://www.sabes.org/resources/publications/problemsolver/index.htm
 Massachusetts also produces a math newsletter that focuses on research: the SABES Math Bulletin.
 You can access copies of that publication at: http://sabes.org/resources/publications/mathbulletin/index.htm

  Radical Math is a resource for educators interested in integrating issues of social, political, and economic justice into math curriculum and classes
 RadicalMath.org has the goals of raising  mathematic literacy and simultaneously developing ways to address a range of community issues. The website supports
 educators to teach many different types of math within the context of  studying social, political, and economic justice issues.
 RadicalMath.org also contains teaching materials on important financial topics for youth such as owning a credit card, paying for college, and avoiding subprime lenders, as
 well as materials on Ethnomathematics. Visit http://www.radicalmath.org/ for more or email info@radicalmath.org



  Lots to do at the library Providence Public Library's calendar of events: http://www.provlib.org/calendar.asp


2009 Toyota Family Literacy Teacher of the Year
Presented by the National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL) and Toyota, the Toyota Family Literacy Teacher of the Year Award is given to educators who demonstrate exemplary efforts to help parents and children achieve their academic and non-academic goals. The 2009 Toyota Family Literacy Teacher of the Year will receive a $7,500 award for his/her program, courtesy of Toyota.  He/she also will receive a trip to the 18th Annual National Conference on Family Literacy in Orlando, Florida, where he/she will be recognized during the Opening General Session. Nominations will be accepted online through December 5, 2008
Visit http://www.famlit.org/toyotateacher for nomination guidelines.


What's new at NIFL?  http://www.nifl.gov/nifl/whats_new.html
 

  Educating the Public and Elected Officials about Adult Education: Report on Adult  Education Advocacy Efforts in New England by the New England Literacy Resource Center
 at World Education

 This report takes stock of the program, policy and legislative context for adult education in each of the six New England states.  It discusses local and
 statewide advocacy strategies by adult educators.  The findings show that adult education advocacy efforts in New England are multi-faceted, and growing in
 sophistication and reach.  The report discusses the principal challenges and related promising strategies revealed through interviews with leading adult education
 advocates in New England.  They are grouped into four areas:
 1) Visibility;
 2) Framing the Message;
 3) Student Involvement; and 4) Increasing and Sustaining Advocacy Efforts.
 Available for downloading (as a PDF file): http://www.nelrc.org/expertise/civic.html#educating
 (For a word doc version,  please contact janet_isserlis@brown.edu)

 Seven habits and more: a recent online discussion about reading and ESOL (and English speaking) learners, led to a number of resources being shared, including Heide Spruck Wrigley's
 Seven Habits of Successful Readers, http://www.cal.org/caela/esl_resources/7Habits.pdf.
 To follow the entire conversation, go to http://www.nifl.gov/pipermail/englishlanguage/2008/date.html and follow the conversation thread that begins on May 12th (you’ll need to scroll down the page).


The UK's Open University course, 'Who counts as a refugee'  considers the interrelationships between citizenship, identity and belonging, personal lives and social policy for people who
 have fled their country of origin seeking asylum in the UK, and includes useful information about refugee status and related issues for those living in other countries:
 http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=3490


 UK National Curricula for ESOL, Literacy and Numeracy, with associated material and  support for teachers, including the competencies for each skill at each level. 
 As well, a significant number of resources for working with people with  a range of disabilities.  (See, for example): http://www.dfes.gov.uk/curriculum_literacy/access/workwith/principles/
 http://www.dfes.gov.uk/curriculum_esol/
 http://www.dfes.gov.uk/curriculum_literacy/
 http://www.dfes.gov.uk/curriculum_numeracy/


 Workplace Essential Skills and  GED Connection series Now Available Through VIDEO-ON-DEMAND

 The adult learning series Workplace Essential Skills and GED Connection are available online through the Rhode Island PBS video streaming portal.  In 25 half-hour segments, the Workplace Essential Skills series
 presents refreshers in fundamental reading, writing, and math skills as they relate to getting, keeping, or advancing in a job. Lessons also cover job applications, resume writing, and job interviews. An orientation
 segment touches upon the use of the different components included in this series. Lessons are written at a pre-GED level, and can help prepare adults for the GED tests. Four workbooks accompany the series.
 In 39 half-hour programs, the GED Connection helps learners prepare for the GED exam. Episodes cover subjects and skills related to work, community, and home life. Practice tests help learners know what to
 expect, see which skills they need to strengthen, and build confidence.
 
 Access to Workplace Essential Skills and GED Connection series through RI PBS video streaming is free. Users access VOD through an account and passcode, available by email request to
 Education@ RIpbs.org or by calling Education Services at 401-222-3636 x 211. Video streaming, also known as video on demand (VOD), allows users the convenience of watching lessons at any time
 from an Internet-connected computer. VOD is also flexible, allowing users to watch several episodes in one sitting, or repeat lessons as often as desired.

 Both the Workplace Essential Skills and the GED Connection series are also broadcast on RI PBS LEARN, digital 36.2 and Verizon 787. The Workplace Essential Skills broadcasts Fridays at
 12:30 PM and the GED Connection series broadcasts Mondays, Tuesdays, and Sundays at 12:30 PM.  For Workplace Essential Skills and the GED Connection broadcast dates 
 please visit: http://www.pbs.org/tvschedules/
For information about RIPBS Education Services please visit out web pages at http://www.ripbs.org/Education/
- Dr. María D. Velásquez de Tondreau Education Director Rhode Island PBS 50 Park Lane Providence, RI 02907 Phone: (401) 222-3636, ext. 211 Fax: (401) 222-3407 Education@RIpbs.org


 National Research and Development Centre for Adult Literacy and Numeracy,
 dedicated to conducting research and development projects to improve literacy, numeracy, language and related skills and knowledge. On this site you will find information on all our activities, including:

 Research and development projects <http://www.nrdc.org.uk/projects.asp

 Creative routes to specialist teacher qualifications <http://www.nrdc.org.uk/creativeroutes>

 The Voices on the Page storybank is now live! Read all of the 640 stories here <http://www.nrdc.org.uk/voicesonthepage.asp

 Research reports and reviews <http://www.nrdc.org.uk/content.asp?CategoryID=329

 Latest e- newsletter <http://www.nrdc.org.uk/content.asp?CategoryID=671

 News and events <http://www.nrdc.org.uk/news.asp>

 While the work originates in the U.K., much of it has usefulness and validity for work in this country.
 


google literacy site
: http://www.google.com/literacy/

outstanding resource: http://www.youthliteracy.ca/ - Youth Literacy work in Canada

Shannon Gavin, a senior graduating from Brown this year, has developed a new website, as her capstone project in Middle East Studies,  called Arab Perceptions of the United States:
Video Interviews from Amman, Jordan and Damascus, Syria.You can view them, and supporting text at  http://arabperceptions.wordpress.com


  The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) - The  U.S. Civics and Citizenship Online: Resource Center for Instructors is available online at:
 http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=b36e663784bcd010VgnVCM100000d1f1d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=b36e663784bcd010VgnVCM100000d1f1d6a1RCRD


  The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI), Assisting Refugees with Disabilities Program : Resource Guide for Serving Refugees with Disabilities
  available at http://www.refugees.org/DisabilityGuide

  The guide, written for refugee case managers and those serving refugees with disabilities, includes 139 pages of information about resources for serving adults and children with disabilities,
  housing for refugees with disabilities, assistive technology, medical resources, citizenship and disability, benefits for refugees with disabilities and more. 
  If you have any questions or technical assistance needs, please contact Xuan Nguyen, Director of USCRI Health and Human Services at xnguyen@uscridc.org or at 202-347-3507 ext 3056.
 

Resources from EdChange family of Web sites:
A new Classism and Poverty Awareness Quiz http://www.edchange.org/multicultural/quizzes.html ;
Newly designed Social Justice News Service site http://mail.socialjusticenews.net/mailman/listinfo/news_socialjusticenews.net- email-based news service, periodic email digests of links to articles related to equity,
social justice, and multiculturalism from sources all over the world. 
New essays and links to essays http://www.edchange.org/publications.html
New essays in the Multicultural Education Research Room  http://www.edchange.org/multicultural/papers.html


  Living in Poverty slideshow does the math: what does it take to live at the poverty level.
  http://www.nccbuscc.org/cchd/povertyusa/tour2.htm

 RI Foundation online scholarship directory - searchable by city/town, intended field of study, current high school, and more. http://scholarship.rifoundation.org/
 YouthBuild USA Learning Network has links to Web sites and full-text documents, and  includes a section on "Authentic Materials/Engaged Learning/Constructivism/Contextual Learning/Project-based Learning."    http://www.youthbuild.org/learningnetwork/professionaldev.html

conferences and workshops - conferences and workshops are listed chronologically and are updated with each bulletin
 Rhode Island - Training/events around employment issues for people with disabilities http://www.ric.edu/uap/training.html

  Developing Successful Employer Partnerships (Marketing Adult Education to Businesses) Robin Adams
 Workforce Development Training #1  - Thursday, November 6, 2:00  to 4:00 p.m. Warwick Public Library  600 Sandy Lane, Warwick, Rhode Island 02889
 (401) 739-5440
 This interactive, hands-on workshop will provide an opportunity  for practitioners in adult ed to outline a program-specific marketing strategy for developing
 more effective partnerships with  business and industry representatives. Participants will discuss common mistakes made in the approach and leave with valuable tips for
 developing winning partnerships with local businesses to help improve employment outcomes.
 Audience: Job Developers, Workforce Trainers, Coordinators, and Directors
 Workshop Learning Objectives
 Upon completion of this training, participants will have a better understanding of the  benefits and importance of partnering with businesses for better employment outcomes. 
 Specific objectives address:  How to identify and target businesses that make appropriate AE partners
 How to define the features and benefits of AE programs (in business / marketing  language)
 How to understand and apply proven techniques to forming successful business  partnerships
 
 Robin Adams is the PD Specialist in Workforce Development at the RI AE  Professional Development Center.  She has a bachelor‚s degree in Business and over
 20  years experience in business administration and operations in the public and private  sectors.  Her background includes providing technical assistance and professional
 development to staff and entrepreneurs and working with learners and practitioners in adult education / workforce readiness for the past seven years. 
 Please register by Wednesday, October 29th at 4:00 p.m.  For more information and to register: go to jortiz@ric.edu or contact Jessica Ortiz at  (401) 456-2838


 The Rhode Island Family Life Center, the Rhode Island Department of Corrections, and the Department of Labor and Training invite your participation in an
 employer development event titled “Alternative Workforce Opportunities” at the Biltmore Hotel on Thursday, November 13th from 5pm – 8:30pm.

 Mr. John Corella, CEO of Corella Companies in Phoenix, AZ, past Regional Small Businessman of the Year, National Minority Contractor of the Year, and
 winner of Congressional and Senate awards, will keynote the event with a discussion of the potential benefits and opportunities posed by hiring formerly incarcerated
 individuals. On the Governor’s Taskforce on Re-Entry, Mr. Corella dedicated his energy to cementing partnerships between employers and training providers for win-win
 workforce solutions. Following the keynote, our event will feature speakers from local Rhode Island businesses, training programs operating both inside and outside of the
 prisons, and those experiencing first-hand the barriers to employment. Our panelists will discuss re-entry and employment as a pressing community and public safety issue and
 will invite your questions and participation. 
 Hor d'oeuvres and a cash bar will be provided. Parking is available on the street or at the Providence Place Mall, and the Biltmore offers valet parking as well.
 Please contact Heather Vail at the Rhode Island Family Life Center at 401-781-5808 x110 or hvail@riflc.org with any questions, concerns and to RSVP by Monday, November 3rd.  - Sol Rodriguez, Executive Director Rhode Island Family Life Center
 

 The Poverty Institute is holding 2 training sessions on the implementation of the RI Works Program which replaced the Family Independence Program.
The topics that will be covered pertain to eligibility, sanctions, DHS/DLT collaboration, parents with disabilities, time limits and extensions, work requirements and exemptions.
 In addition, an overview of eligibility for RIte Care and Child Care subsidies and other assistance for working families will be covered. Attend one of our trainings to learn more!
- November 18th 1:00 p.m -3:30 p.m or November 19th 9:00 a.m- 11:30 a.m Casey Family Services 1268 Eddy Street Providence
 Please note: space is limited so advance registration is required. Each session will cover all  information-- just sign up for one session! 
 to download a flyer:
 http://www.povertyinstitute.org/matriarch/documents/RI%20Works%20Training%20Flyer.pdf
 To register contact Heidi Collins 456-2751 or email: hcollins@ric.edu  The Poverty Institute at Rhode Island College 
 email: info@povertyinstitute.org


 Eleventh Annual Multicultural Conference and Curriculum Resource Fair Presented by the RIC Dialogue on Diversity Committee November 1st,  theme:
 Teaching for Change: Privilege, Power and Possibilities
 Program includes: Workshops on promising practices in multicultural education; A curriculum fair, including curriculum resources, books, software, and videos;
 Keynote address by Dr. Peggy McIntosh, "Youth Hour" - a round table dialogue with keynote speaker and college and high school students. 
 http://www.ric.edu/promisingPractices/workshops.php

 Re-Envisioning Writing Assessment, November 1. Southbridge Hotel & Conference Center, 
Southbridge, MA
 http://www.umass.edu/reenvision/confprogram. Registration deadline October 15.
 

Effective Transitions in Adult Education to be held  on November 17-18, 2008 in Providence, RI

  Registration for the conference in now open: http://collegetransition.org/conference08/registration.html
  For more information, contact Priyanka Sharma  psharma@worlded.org or call (617) 385-3788. –

 March 6-7, 2009 - Thursday, March 5, 2009 / Student Leadership Gathering (tentative) URI, Providence Campus:  

 http://www.litwomen.org/conference.html - more online  – deadline – November 30th.
 

Wednesday, November 19, The Columbus Theatre, 270 Broadway, Providence - Home Across Lands, a film that chronicles the work of International Institute of RI staff
 and volunteers as they guide a group of Kunaman refugees making the transition from a life of despair in the Shimelba Refugee Camp in Ethiopia, Africa to a life of hope in
 their new home in Providence. 6:30: Patron Reception  7:15: Film Showing General Admission: $35 Reserved Seats: $100 Sponsorship Options: $500 to $5,000+ includes
 tickets, Patron Reception. To reserve tickets or for information contact Jessica Barry at jbarry@iiri.org or 401.784.8619.


Call for ABE Student Writing Women's Perspectives 2009 - Issue #4  Theme: Transition / Transformation details, lesson plans and pre-writing activities:
 http://www.litwomen.org/perspectives.html Deadline: 12/5/08.


 call for proposals from the MATSOL Conference Committee:
 We would like to invite you to present next spring at our annual conference on May 7-8, 2009 at the Sheraton Four Points in Leominster, MA. 
 The 2009 conference theme is Multiple Literacies: Launching English Language Learners into a New Era.  There will be a K-12 strand on both days and an Adult,
 Workplace and Higher Education strand on Friday, May 8.  Our keynote speakers will be Stephen Krashen and Jim Cummins. 

 We hope that you will consider sharing your strategies, tools, materials and research with your colleagues in the field of ELL and ESOL education. 
 You can view and print instructions for submitting an online proposal at http://www.matsol.org/mc/page.do?orgId=matsol&sitePageId=68100  
 Proposals are due on December 1, 2008.


other events and conferences http://www.nifl.gov/cgi-bin/Calendar/calendar_world.cgi

TESOL worldwide calendar of events http://www.tesol.org/isaffil/calendar/index.html



breathe - everyday yoga at your desk. http://www.mydailyyoga.com/yoga/everyday_yoga.html

 street yoga - Through the teaching of free yoga, meditation and wellness classes we seek to help homeless youth increase their physical, emotional and spiritual strength, stamina
 and flexibility so they can better meet their own core needs. We work closely with those service providers striving to help homeless youth secure safe housing, nutritious food,
 accessible health care, employment, clean clothing, educational choices and human dignity.



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