Contact LR/RI
| 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, please 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 May 1, 2009
Bulletin
#301 Dear
Colleagues, Calls for
participation, employment, funding,
and conference and workshop
opportunities, online
and other resources.
Janet Isserlis NOTICES -
– in
addition to events listed here, a recently updated list of events
(including workforce development workshops, new practitioner Offer VALUE membership opportunities to your students Student leadership organizations are a critical component of any education system. VALUE is a national student organization. VALUE is currently very active in making sure that student voices are heard. The Rhode Island Office of Adult and Career and Technical Education is very interested in supporting student and alumni organizations and has supported several in the career and technical education arena. As for adult education participants, EDP assessment candidates, and GED test takers and graduates, it is important to clarify that membership fees in reputable student leadership organization is an allowable expense. Please, feel free to review the membership materials contained in the link below and discuss with your students, alumni, test takers, and staff. http://valueusa.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=85&Itemid=104 Rhode Island Adult Education Conference, Tuesday, May 19th at Rhode Island College. Preliminary program online at http://www.brown.edu/lrri/conference09.html ESOL Share: Wednesday, May 13th, 3 pm at the Genesis Center, 620 Potters Avenue, Providence. We’ll be talking about assessment – assessing first language literacy and determining ESOL learners’ readiness to participate in ABE programming. Please join us. information about advocacy: Write for Increased Funding for FY10 Act Now! http://www.ncladvocacy.org/actnow.html from the National Coalition for Literacy Fact Finder http://www.ncladvocacy.org/factfinder.html contains links to NCL members' district and state fact sheets http://www.ncladvocacy.org/ffdiststate.html as well as a fact sheet on Adult Education and Family Literacy Appropriations http://www.ncladvocacy.org/ffadult.html. Letter Guidelines, Lessons, and Sample Letters Writing Legislators <http://www.ncladvocacy.org/tkcontact_write.html> contains writing tips, letter guidelines, letter-writing lesson plans and curricula, and sample letters from teachers, students, and community members. Contacting Legislators <http://www.ncladvocacy.org/tkcontact.html> contains general tips for contacting legislators. Create Responsive Networks Find specific tips for organizing others to write. Find general tips from experienced state and federal level advocates on creating responsive advocacy networks http://www.ncladvocacy.org/tknetworks.html Learn more about NCL's Legislative Issues http://www.ncladvocacy.org/legispriority_act.html, including appropriations. needs and strengths The Professional Development Council is conducting its annual survey of the field, in order to inform the PDCenter’s workplan for 2010. Please click on the link below and take a few minutes to answer the short survey; your input is critical to this process. Many thanks. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=eJIW3qmEqMwq3mklkj0dSQ_3d_3d write about it: Change Agent Call for Articles Please submit illustrations, cartoons, and graphics on this theme too! Theme: The Economy The next issue of The Change Agent will examine the roots of the current economic crisis, consider what we can do about it individually and collectively, and explore alternative economic models. We are interested in hearing from teachers, adult learners, and community members about your experiences, stories, lessons, and reflections on the current economy and how your family and/or community is responding. 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. Sample Questions to Consider: What do you think caused the crisis? What should individuals do in response to the crisis? What should the government do? What should small businesses and corporations do? Describe actions that you see people taking in response to the crisis or that you and your community have taken. Are these actions effective? Explain. Have you personally experienced the effects of the crisis? If so, how? Does your life feel very different now from how it was before the crisis? Explain. Has the media (TV, newspapers, radio) helped you understand what is going on? Has it helped you figure out how to respond? If you could influence media content, what would you push for (related to the economic crisis)? Do you have experience in alternative economic structures, such as worker cooperatives or consumer cooperatives? If so, describe how it works and what it's like. Describe your vision for how the economy should work and what needs it should meet. All articles must be received by May 4, 2009. All articles and emails MUST include contact information for the student and/or the teacher. All articles will be considered. Suggested length is 500-1,200 words. Final decisions are made by The Change Agent editorial board. A $50 stipend will be paid to each adult education student whose work is accepted for publication. Please send material (preferably by email) to: Cynthia Peters, Editor, New England Literacy Resource Center/World Education, 44 Farnsworth St., Boston, MA 02210 Phone: 617-482-9485 fax: 617-482-0617; email: cpeters@worlded.org http://www.nelrc.org/changeagent <http://www.nelrc.org/changeagent 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 at World Education. Don't forget to include complete contact information in the article (not just in the email).  On May 3-5, VALUE, in partnership with ProLiteracy, will be holding its 6th biennial National Adult Learner Leadership Institute and Adult Literacy Congress. As part of this Institute, we will hold a mock hearing on each of four recommendations made by the National Commission on Adult Literacy. Adult learners will listen to "testimony" from experts in the literacy field, ask questions, and then offer their views, the consumer perspective, on each of the four recommendations. The Commission made both general and specific recommendations. From all its recommendations, we came up with the top ten that we think adult learners may be able to provide insight to policy-makers. Now we need your help. From this list, we need to pick the four on which we'll hold mock hearings. Please rank these recommendations. On which ones would it be most important for policy-makers to hear the views of adult learners? To participate in the survey, go to: http://tinyurl.com/adabw6 Please share this message with as many people as you can. We'd like as much input as possible in selecting the four topics for the mock hearings. To learn more about this Leadership Institute, go to http://www.valueusa.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=81&Itemid=100 You can register now. The early registration discount ends April 3rd. In advance, thanks for your help with this. I look forward to seeing many of you in the DC area May 3-5. - Marty Finsterbusch, VALUE Executive Director http://www.valueusa.org President Obama's Remarks on Education Reform - http://thepage.time.com/president-obamas-remarks-on-education-reform/ learning opportunities June 25-26 - National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL) Summer Literacy Institute, Research to Practice: Supporting Learners Through Literacy. Learn about how research is translated into practical applications for the classroom and home. Learn about solid strategies that support parents as they engage in their children’s learning. Network with practitioners from around the country and share information in facilitated discussion groups. Focusing on the family, sessions will cover research-based practices for improving literacy services for adult learners, pre-school through elementary parents and children, and English language learners. All sessions support the development of family literacy programs that have a positive impact on families as they work to develop stronger literacy skills. Content is provided in one-day stand-alone sessions or two-day strands – all focused on developing strategies for establishing a family approach to literacy. The Institute is designed for literacy providers, adult educators, elementary staff, pre-K staff, librarians, literacy volunteers, administrators and others who work with families. CEUs are available for all sessions. The Institute will be held at the Galt House Hotel & Suites in Louisville, Kentucky. Details can be found at http://www.famlit.org/training, or contact Ann Reynolds at 502-584-1133 x149 or areynolds@famlit.org. summer classes - Register now for online courses Penn State's online course, Early Literacy Development and Parental Involvement (ADTED 458), a three-credit undergraduate/graduate level course will be offered through Penn State’s World Campus for graduate or undergraduate credit. Class runs May 18 – August 14, 2009 and registration is underway. This course focuses on young children’s language and literacy development, including: What children;s early language and literacy development looks like at various stages and what is considered the usual order or sequence of development The most recently shared knowledge base regarding early language and literacy development research Evidence-based practices identified by research for teachers and parents that support children’s earl language and literacy development How parents and teachers apply what is known about language and literacy learning to maximize children’s learning experiences Early literacy development and parental involvement in the context of comprehensive family literacy services For more information visit http://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/FamilyLiteracyCertificate.shtml or contact Dr. Sheila Sherow at sms20@psu.edu. Register at http://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/StudentServices_GettingStarted.shtml COLLEGE PREPARATION FOR ADULTS: The Rhode Island Transition to College (RI TTC) at Rhode Island Regional Adult Learning Center (RIRAL) is now enrolling students for its upcoming sessions. RIRAL/TTC is an intensive college preparation program that provides student success workshops, academic instruction in reading, writing, math, computer, and study skills to prepare students for college readiness. Career Exploration using DISCOVER online and monthly mentoring workshops are also part of the curriculum. In addition, students receive assistance with financial aid, college applications, and academic advising. While attending RIRAL/TTC, students enrol as a cohort in College Reading at CCRI in Providence. Information Sessions for fall Evening and Weekend programs: Tuesdays: May 5 and June 16 at 5:00 pm Saturdays: May 16 and June 20 at 10:00 am The RIRAL/TTC initiative is a free program with funding provided by the Rhode Island Department of Education and the Nellie Mae Educational Foundation in collaboration with the Community College of Rhode Island. For more information, contact: Marie Crecca-Romero, Program Director at 722.9800 or by email at MarieCrecca-Romero@riral.org. 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 - 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. from Thursday notes, April 16 President Taps Maine's Cummings As OVAE's DAS President Obama and Secretary Duncan have selected Maine's Glenn Cummings http://www.polarbearandco.com/mainedem/cum.html as OVAE's new deputy assistant secretary. As Maine’s House chairman of the Education Committee in 2002, Cummings sponsored a bill to transform the state’s technical colleges into the community college system. The change contributed to roughly a 40% increase in enrollment systemwide. Cummings also was an advocate for a statewide policy requiring all graduating high school seniors to fill out a college application. He holds master’s degrees in education and public administration from Brown University and Harvard University and is completing a doctoral degree at the University of Pennsylvania. Cummings began his career in education as a history and economics teacher at Gorham High School. He will arrive at the Department May 4. http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=249596&ac=PHnws Jane Oates to Serve As DOL Assistant Secretary The president also named Jane Oates, a former top education aide to Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, to serve as the Department of Labor’s (DOL) assistant secretary for employment and training. The person in this position cooperates with OVAE's assistant secretary for vocational and adult education in developing and implementing many policies called for by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), the source of funding for programs both agencies administer. Oates served as the chief staff for the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee http://help.senate.gov/ on creating and implementing WIA and The Carl Perkins Vocational Education Act. She is currently executive director of the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education. http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislativepub/budget2008/Testimony/HigherEd_Oates_testimony.pdf NIFL Partnership Research Review Now Under Way The National Institute for Literacy is leading a partnership with OVAE and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development that is conducting a comprehensive review of research on adult literacy. This three-year study will synthesize behavioral and cognitive sciences, education, and neuroscience research on literacy to understand its applicability to adolescent and adult populations. It will examine implications for instructional practices in adult literacy programs and make recommendations for a more systemic approach to research, practice and policy. The report, due in the fall of 2011, also will be produced in a streamlined version useful for practitioners and the public. http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/news/04072009.html OMB Publishes ARRA Guidance for Federal Agencies The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released guidance that federal agencies must use to implement ARRA funding, including reporting requirements for states that receive ARRA grants. State directors may be interested in reviewing the guidance to participate as partners in ARRA projects. http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/assets/memoranda_fy2009/m09-10.pdf Thursday notes, April 30, 2009 Bipartisan Leaders Propose Financial Literacy Grants Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Thad Cochran (R-MS), and Representative Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY 4th) have introduced federal legislation that would provide states with $250 million annually over the next five years to support teaching financial literacy in K–12 schools and two- and four-year colleges. The bill (S. 638), the Financial Literacy Improvement Act, aims to help students obtain the skills needed to make responsible financial decisions. The funding will be split evenly between efforts at K–12 schools and those for adults provided at colleges. The bill also includes a clearinghouse of resources, tools, and selected practices for financial and economic literacy education. Most college students graduate with four credit cards and enter the work force in debt, according to Senator Murray. http://murray.senate.gov/news.cfm?id=310067 Groups Offer Tools For States Seeking ARRA Funds The Council of State Governments has developed a Web site (staterecovery.org) offering updates on how state executive and legislative branches are planning to allocate their stimulus funds, including for education. http://www.staterecovery.org/education The Education Commission of the States (ECS) also recently released two new products related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The first paper provides links to ARRA education-related details being issued by state executive branches and state education agencies on their Web sites. http://www.ecs.org/clearinghouse/80/14/8014.pdf The second paper suggests ways states can use summer learning programs to maximize the new federal stimulus funds. http://www.ecs.org/clearinghouse/80/21/8021.pdf Math Professional Development Pays Off Professional development for math teachers seems to have more of an impact on learning than either new textbooks or technology, according to a research review by the Center for Data-Driven Reform in Education at Johns Hopkins University's School of Education. The review examined 87 previously released studies evaluating efforts to improve math programs in elementary schools. The programs focused on either textbook changes, computer-assisted instruction, or professional development in specific teaching methods, such as cooperative learning. Researchers found that the approaches aimed at changing teachers' daily instructional practices were the most effective in boosting students' scores. http://www.teachermagazine.org/tsb/articles/2009/03/16/02research.h02.html online / resources available Fieldnotes – penultimate issue. A retrospective of the past ten years' work. Well worth your time. http://sabes.org/resources/publications/fieldnotes/vol18/fn181.pdf other news from World Education: SABES Math Bulletin Volume 3, Number 3 (March 2009) includes six pages touching on algebraic thinking, the complexity of equations, and literal symbols. http://www.sabes.org/resources/publications/mathbulletin/math-bulletin-mar2009.pdf You can also access back issues of the SABES Math Bulletin, issued quarterly. Each issue focuses on math research and/or professional papers related to adult math/numeracy. Early issues include information about research in general. http://www.sabes.org/resources/publications/mathbulletin/ Integrating Career Awareness into the ABE/ESOL Classroom http://www.sabes.org/workforce/integrating-career-awareness.pdf Newly revised and expanded, this 210-page curriculum guide contains nearly 60 ready-to-use lessons. The goal of this curriculum is to help adult education teachers and counselors guide adult learners through a comprehensive career planning process that promotes a full range of life skills. The curriculum contains lessons and classroom activities to introduce the three phases of career planning: self-exploration, occupational exploration, and education and career planning. CD available for the cost of shipping ($5.00/each). To order, call Leah Peterson at 617-482-9485 x 3740, email lpeterson@worlded.org or download at http://www.sabes.org/workforce/integrating-career-awareness.pdf Developed by the Massachusetts System for Adult Basic Education Support and the National College Transition Network. U.S. Census and Adult Learners In one year, the U.S. Census Bureau will begin the decennial census. According to the Census Bureau, the goal of the 2010 Census is to count everybody, count them only once, and count them in the right place. All residents of the United States must be counted, including citizens and non-citizens. It is important that adult learners understand the significance of this process. In addition to determining each state’s representation in Congress, census data is used to determine the amount of state and federal funding communities will receive over the next ten years. Census data is also used to inform local decisions about community improvements, education, and a wide range of public services. Census activities have already begun. Between April and June this year, U.S. Census employees will visit every community to begin the process of verifying and updating the national address list to which Census surveys will be mailed. In the fall, recruitment will begin for local Census jobs. Updates will be posted to the SABES website (http://www.sabes.org/) as they become available. Additional information, including posters in five languages for ESOL learners, is also available. On May 6, at 10:00am, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) will release a new report, Basic Reading Skills and the Literacy of America's Least Literate Adults: Results from the 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL). This report details two distinct components of the NAAL— the Adult Literacy Supplemental Assessment (ALSA) and the Fluency Addition to NAAL (FAN). The report shows a significant literacy gap between those considered nonliterate in English and those with basic literacy skills. The supplemental assessment – given to those who could not take the main assessment (i.e., those considered to be nonliterate in English) – asked adults to perform simple tasks such as identifying and reading letters or words, to find out what adults with the lowest literacy skills can do. Common products, such as a box of cold medicine, were used in the ALSA. The FAN – an oral reading assessment given to all participants – measured the ability of individuals to read printed text accurately and quickly by using laptop computers and an automated speech recognition system. Speed and accuracy were assessed and used to reflect basic reading skills, such as decoding and word reading. To access the report, please go to the NAAL web site at: http://NCES.ED.GOV NCES is the statistical center of the Institute of Education Sciences in the U.S. Department of Education. - Jaleh Behroozi Soroui 202-403-6958 Unemployment lifeline – from the AFL-CIO, with locally-searchable links to resources http://www.unemploymentlifeline.com/ online: CIVIC ENGAGEMENT COURSE available at EL/Civics Online http://www.elcivicsonline.org/ EL/Civics Online is a free professional development opportunity for ESL, EL/Civics, and Citizenship teachers and volunteers. EL/Civics online is composed of this new course on teaching Civic Engagement, along with courses for teaching U.S. History, U.S. Government, and the Naturalization Process as well as a tutorial on lesson planning. The new Civic Engagement course shows teachers how to facilitate students’ awareness about their communities, becoming a part of their community, and giving back to their community. In addition all of these courses allow educators to: * Participate in self-paced online professional development * Create and obtain EL/Civics lesson plans * Access timely and relevant resources * Download classroom-ready handouts * Keep all handouts and resources in a personal "My Information Center."  The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) recently launched a new website http://www.shifting-gears.org designed to help states increase the number of low-income working adults who have the skills and credentials they need to compete for jobs in demand. Shifting Gears is a Joyce Foundation-sponsored initiative that aims to promote regional economic growth by aligning adult education, workforce development and postsecondary education in five states - Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. The website is intended to provide information about state policies that work across the nation and to highlight innovative approaches in the Shifting Gears states. State policy resources cover the following areas: basic skills policies that promote success in college and careers, using data for policy change, connecting education and work, financial aid and student support, and connecting to employers. The website will be updated regularly. We hope you find it helpful and will tell your state and local partners about this resource. - Amy Ellen Duke-Benfield, Senior Policy Analyst Center for Law & Social Policy aduke@clasp.org From The Working Poor Families Project http://www.workingpoorfamilies.org/about.html Preparing Low-Skilled Workers for the Jobs of Tomorrow - Many state economic development leaders are focusing resources on strategies to spur growth in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). However, many efforts are geared solely to generating more high-skill scientists and engineers. "Preparing Low-Skilled Workers for the Jobs of Tomorrow" explores how to ensure that existing workers have the education and skills necessary to fill middle -skill, technical and support STEM positions. The brief, released by the Working Poor Families Project, also identifies how state policies can better prepare today's existing low-skilled workers for middle-skill positions. http://www.workingpoorfamilies.org/pdfs/WPFP_policy_brief_fall08.pdf The New England Literacy Resource Center (NELRC) has published the findings of action research done by 18 New England adult education programs that investigated persistence strategies in their varied contexts over the course of a semester. This report of the New England Learner Persistence Project is online at http://nelrc.org/persist/report09.pdf. In addition to describing the specific strategies and outcomes that resulted in each program, the researchers concluded that persistence can be improved by addressing key adult needs, such as the need to feel competent or the need for a sense of community. To see other work being done at NELRC, see http://www.nelrc.org/expertise/index.html. - Andy Nash, New England Literacy Resource Center Minnesota Literacy Council's online training site – for out of state users: The courses for adult learners and educators on the Minnesota Literacy Council (MLC) online training site are developed and maintained by MLC staff through supplemental service grants from the Minnesota Department of Education. They are provided free of charge to Minnesota’s adult learners, teachers, volunteers, and other Adult Basic Education practitioners. Out-of-state visitors are welcome to explore the site to access learning resources as well, but we cannot offer CEUs or course completion certificates to out-of-state users. If you are a not a Minnesota resident, you are welcome to browse the self-access online learning materials, but please do not submit course assignments as we will not be able to respond to your submissions. http://online.themlc.org/ from The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) : National Assessment of Adult Literacy: Indirect County and State Estimates of the Percentage of Adults at the Lowest Literacy Level for 1992 and 2003, from the National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL). The report provides the only available snapshot of adult literacy rates for individual states and counties. The report, based on the 2003 NAAL and the 1992 National Adult Literacy Survey (NALS), will serve as an important source of literacy information for policymakers and researchers. The report will be accompanied by an interactive web tool, which will show data for all states and counties. The tool will also provide the ability to compare states, counties, and progress in states and counties over time. http://nces.ed.gov/naal/estimates/index.aspx (estimates) and http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2009482 Refugees From Iraq - in-depth information about refugee groups from Iraq, describing the various ethnic and religious communities of Iraqi Arabs (both Sunni and Shi’a), Iraqi Christians, and others. Topics include history, conditions in countries of asylum, characteristics of the refugee population, cultural features of each of the different communities, religion, language, education, and resettlement considerations. http://www.cal.org/topics/ri/backgrounders.html online: LessonWriter.com is a free website where teachers can copy, paste and submit any text (an article, essay, story, etc.) and create comprehensive, standards -based lesson plans and student materials in minutes. LessonWriter is a simple, fast and free way to use authentic, high-interest content to motivate students while delivering the explicit language instruction that ELL's need in both English and content-area classes. There are advanced features that can differentiate instruction for multilevel classes and class tracking features that will automatically scaffold lessons. http://www.lessonwriter.com 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 Lots to do at the library Providence Public Library's calendar of events: http://www.provlib.org/calendar.asp Workplace Essential Skills and GED Connection series 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> google literacy site: http://www.google.com/literacy/ outstanding resource: http://www.youthliteracy.ca/ - Youth Literacy work in Canada 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. 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.h MATSOL Annual Conference : 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. http://www.matsol.org 2009 American Association for Adult and Continuing Education Conference Call for Proposals You are invited to submit a proposal to present a concurrent session or roundtable discussion for the 2009 AAACE Conference on a topic of concern and/or interest to practitioners, managers, teachers, faculty, advisors and/or students of adult and continuing education programs. The conference, Adult Education: Together We Can!, will be held November 3 - 6 at the Renaissance Marriott Hotel in Cleveland. Proposals should be submitted online. Please go to http://www.aaace.org for full information and the application. The deadline for proposal submissions is Friday, May 15. Notification of acceptance decisions will be e-mailed to all who submit proposals by Monday, July 13. The AAACE is dedicated to the belief that lifelong learning contributes to human fulfillment and positive social change. We envision a more humane world made possible by the diverse practice of our members in helping adults acquire the knowledge, skills and values needed to lead productive and satisfying lives. Through its annual conference, adult educators can become more effective in assisting adult learners to succeed in the global marketplace, at the workplace and in their communities. For more information, contact the Program Team: Clare Klunk, Trish Coberly, Linda Sayre, Jean Fleming, and Lilian Hill, at 2009proposals@aaaceorg The Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed conference May 18-24 at Augsburg College, Minneapolis. The conference focuses on civic engagement and organizing through popular education and the arts, and features several internationally renowned keynote speakers. These include theatre artist and scholar Augusto Boal, popular education scholar Dr. Deborah Barndt, Dr. Ananya Chatterjea's Minneapolis-based women of color dance group, and over 100 papers, workshops, and performances led by PTO members. For information and registration go to http://www.ptoweb.org. Pre- and post-conference workshops are also available for registration separate from the conference. For more information, contact Sonja Kuftinec at skuftinec@aol.com. National Community Literacy Leadership Conference Buffalo – June 10 -13 Conference activities reflect the diversity of our field supporting the interests of a wide range of literacy coalitions, service providers, funders, business leaders and literacy stakeholders. We present a special focus on the economic crisis with panels discussing critical workforce and training issues around the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and support for families with limited literacy skills. On the final day of the conference, literacy leaders from across the country will gather for the Right To Literacy Convention. They will debate and vote on resolutions that will become a platform to organize for system change. The Convention Committee has been hard at work to ensure that each region has the opportunity to prepare and submit resolutions. Regional delegates will represent their constituent groups at the Convention, following in the Upstate New York tradition of the famous 1848 Women’s Rights Seneca Falls Convention. To learn more and to register: http://www.literacypowerline.com/ . Questions? please contact Hannah Mallon (9792895175). The National College Transition Network at World Education invites you to submit a proposal to present at its third annual national conference on Effective Transitions in Adult Education to be held on November 16 - 17, in Providence. If you wish to submit a proposal, please visit http://www.collegetransition.org/callforpresenters09.html to complete and submit the online form. You will receive an email from NCTN confirming the receipt of your proposal within two business days of submission. Please click on the link above for more details about the proposal submission process. The submission deadline is May 25. Feel free to email psharma@worlded.orgor or call me at (617)385-3788 if you have any further questions. - Priyanka Sharma, National College Transition Network World Education, Inc. Summer Institute for Intercultural Communication July 15-31 Reed College, Portland, Oregon The 33rd annual Summer Institute for Intercultural Communication (SIIC) offers professional development opportunities for people working in education, training, business, and consulting, in both international and domestic intercultural contexts. One of the premier gatherings of professionals in the field of intercultural communication, SIIC presents a unique opportunity to explore the field and network with others in a stimulating and supportive environment. Choose from more than 40 in-depth workshops and seminars on intercultural topics such as conflict management, diversity, global leadership, corporate management, and training. SIIC also offers academic credit, internships, certificate programs, an intercultural library and bookstore, and free evening programs. Workshops are offered in 3- and 5-day formats, and one-day workshops on July 18th. http://www.intercultural.org/siic.php The Summer Institute is sponsored by the Intercultural Communication Institute (ICI), a nonprofit charity with the mission of fostering an awareness and appreciation of cultural difference. ICI offers a Master of Arts in Intercultural Relations, maintains an extensive reference library, and provides referrals and information on intercultural topics. from Miriam Burt: A new brief is available for practitioners working with adult English language learners. Written by Amber Gallup Rodríguez, the brief describes the focus -on-form approach, provides research-based evidence for drawing learners' attention to form while remaining focused on meaning, and offers examples of instructional activities to raise learners' awareness of grammar. Teaching Grammar to Adult English Language Learners: Focus on Form is online at the CAELA Network Web site at the Center for Applied Linguistics: http://www.cal.org/caelanetwork/pd_resources/teachinggrammar.html 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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