Rhode Island Adult Education Professional Development Center


 


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Swearer Center for Public
Service

The RI AE PDC is an affiliate
 of the David E. Sweet 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, 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

  
February 26, 2010

   Bulletin #337

    Dear Colleagues,

  
    C
alls 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



  Haiti. 
 http://swearercenter.brown.edu/new/news/haiti-earthquake-relief
 http://twitter.com/#/list/nytimes/haiti-earthquake
 http://doctorswithoutborders.tumblr.com/  - photo blog; please be aware there are some difficult images at this site.
 http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/19/project-haiti-holding-a-teach-in/?src=twt&twt=nytimes (NY Times learning materials about Haiti)
 


   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


  Please save May 26, 2010 for the  state's Adult Education Conference, to be held at Rhode Island College. Call for participation here.

 
 Please  be advised that the Request for Proposals - Adult Education for College, Work & Career, Family & Community FY2011-FY2015 has been
 posted on the RIDE website. http://www.ride.ri.gov/adulteducation/default.aspx


 Want to make better referrals for adult education students in Rhode Island?
 An interactive referral website for adult education services in the state has been created at http://groups.google.com/group/rhodeislandreferrals.
 Find profiles of adult education agencies, post class openings or request help with a student referral.   Please update your agency's profile information, and if
 your agency is not listed, contact Karisa Tashjian at ktashjian@yahoo.com to have your agency added to the list.   This site is open to all agencies who provide
 services (educational, social service, etc.) for adult education students in the state.  You only need a Google account to access and post information. 
 If you need help setting up an account, please contact Karisa Tashjian at the email above or Bernice Morris at BerniceM@pha-providence.com.



 OpenDoors is offering free tax preparation assistance to our clients and other low-income community members.
 Free Tax Preparation is Available  Wednesdays 4-8pm and Saturdays 10am-4pm In addition, OpenDoors offers financial literacy classes to hellp VITA
 clients make the best use of their refunds.  For more information: http://www.opendoorsri.org/financialliteracy


 RIRAL/TRANSITION TO COLLEGE INFORMATION SESSIONS:

 comprehensive college preparation program including free college reading class (ENGL 0850) at CCRI, Providence; student success, career exploration,
 and mentoring workshops; academic writing, basic math, and pre-algebra; computer lab & tutorials; academic advising, support services, registration for
 college; college application and Financial Aid preparation.  RIRAL TTC is a partner in the RI Statewide Transition to College initiative and a natural segue
 for GED, EDP, and Advanced ESL students prior to post-secondary education.  

 Information Sessions:   March 6; April 10; May 1; June 5 on Saturdays @ 10:00 am. 
 Allow 2 -3 hours for assessment.
 Please do not bring children.  175 Main Street Pawtucket (above the Visitor’s Center) Contact  MarieCrecca-Romero@riral.org  722-9800.


 
 Save the Date:  The 8th Annual May Breakfast - May 1,  Rhodes on the Pawtuxet        9 – 12 noon            $25
 Featuring Annie Barrows, co author of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
 
 Mary Ann Shaffer, a librarian and editor, nurtured the tale about Guernsey for twenty years before committing pen to paper. Unfortunately, Ms. Shaffer passed away in
 February, 2008 before the final edits to the manuscript were complete. She asked her niece, Annie Barrows, to complete the revisions - and the story is now ours to share
 with all Rhode Islanders. Ms. Barrows is also the author of the children’s series Ivy and Bean and The Magic Half. Look for more details and the registration form in February
 

  learning opportunities

  face to face, in real time:  Teachers Investigating Adult Numeracy Spring 2010
 We'll be doing some math this spring, and we'd like you to join us
 Whether you're an experienced instructor, are new to teaching math, or are interested in integrating math into ESOL classrooms, please join us for a  series
 of workshops on Thursday afternoons, from 1-4 p.m.
 These workshops are for you if you would like to: deepen your own understanding of the math that you teach; learn more about your students' mathematical
 thinking; join with your colleagues to consider issues of practice that arise in the teaching, and learning of mathematics
 
 This spring's series is composed of two pairs of workshops. We hope you can join us for all 4 sessions, but if that's not possible for you, feel free to sign up
 for just the first two, or just the second two. The sessions are:
 March 11 and April 1: focusing on Proportional Reasoning.
 April 29 and May 13: focusing on Geometric Thinking.


I n the first session for each topic, we will work through some mathematical activities/investigations ourselves. In the time between sessions, participants will
 bring these activities (altered as needed) back to their classrooms for their students to work on. Finally, workshop participants return to the second workshop
 in each pair of sessions, with student work and classroom stories to share and discuss – both the successes and challenges you encounter in implementing these
 adult-centered, real-world mathematics problems.
 Note: If you have taken part in TIAN workshops before,  you might be familiar with some of the content.
 The location and further information will be available when you  register with Jessica Ortiz at jortiz@ric.edu.
 deadline for registration is March 3
 Workshop Facilitators:  Sherry LeHane, Lynn Foley and Sophia Cohen
 
 Sponsored by the Rhode Island Adult Education Professional Development Center, 456-2838,
 http://www.ric.edu/aepdc,  in conjunction with Teachers Investigating Adult Literacy  http://adultnumeracy.terc.edu/TIAN_profdev_model.html


 
ProfessionalStudiesAE.org, a partnership of ProLiteracy and World Education, is pleased to announce the launch of two new online professional
 development courses that are part of a six-part series of online courses focused on effective adult numeracy instruction. 
 
 For more information and to register, look for the Numeracy topic at: http://www.professionalstudiesae.org/.
 If you have questions, e-mail prodev@proliteracy.org.
 


 Number Sense: Teaching About Parts and Wholes April 12 - May 21, 2010
 Course Description Teaching students how to use estimation, mental math, benchmarking, and calculators will enhance their conceptual understanding of numbers and what numbers represent. This course focuses on helping adult students develop number sense by addressing two key questions: When is it necessary to have an exact answer, and when is an estimate sufficient? When calculation is necessary, which tool is appropriate to use? This course examines how students develop and apply number sense and provides numerous teaching strategies and activities that you can apply to your teaching right away. By the end of the course, you will be able to: 
analyze appropriate uses of various computation approaches (estimation, mental math, calculator, paper and pencil)
compare and contrast two models for developing a conceptual understanding of benchmark fractions and their equivalents
design math activities that are permeated with estimation, mental math, and reasonableness strategies.
 Course Format and Schedule: facilitated, online. Throughout this course you will engage in self-paced activities and readings, as well as asynchronous discussions with the facilitator and course participants. Course Facilitator: Jean Stephens Estimated Completion Time: approx. 2-3 hours per week; 12 hours total Prerequisite: Foundations of Teaching Adult Numeracy or comparable experience
 




 Differentiated Instruction for the Multilevel ESL Classroom A free webinar from ProLiteracy Thursday, February 11, 2:00–3:00 p.m. ET
 Presenter: Erik Jacobson The demand for ESL instruction continues to challenge teachers, particularly in the area of managing the multilevel classroom.
 During this webinar we will explore the unique features of a multilevel classroom, as well as the challenges and opportunities it offers for instruction.
 We will look at practical strategies for tailoring instruction to meet the needs of students at different levels of language learning. In particular, we'll focus
 on differentiating the content, process, and products of learning activities.
 http://www.proliteracy.com/NetCommunity/page.redir?target=https%3a%2f%2fwww.proliteracy.org%2fNetCommunity%2fSSLPage.aspx%3fpid%3d767&srcid=3589&srctid=1&erid=271062
 
 
 Managing the Multilevel ESL Classroom March 1–April 9, Course Instructor: Erik Jacobson
 http://www.proliteracy.com/NetCommunity/page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2fwww.newreaderspress.com%2fItems.aspx%3fhierId%3d6500&srcid=3589&srctid=1&erid=271062   
About the Presenter Erik Jacobson is an assistant professor at Montclair State University. He worked in community-based adult education in the greater Boston area for 10 years, teaching and working in ESL, citizenship, and family literacy programs, and served as a research assistant at the National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy. He received his Ed.D. from Harvard Graduate School of Education, where his research was focused on adult basic education in Japan. He is currently president-elect of the New Jersey Association for Lifelong Learning.
 
Description: The demand for ESL instruction continues to challenge teachers, particularly in the area of managing the multilevel classroom. Can you meet
 the needs of students whose skills and needs are so different? Yes! This course guides you in creating a classroom environment that supports ALL students. 
  Using a virtual multilevel ESL classroom as a backdrop, the course leads you through practical strategies for understanding your students' unique needs and
 managing your own classroom. You'll have ample opportunities to apply the strategies, share ideas with a course partner, and solidify your learning. When
 you complete the course, you'll have a firm grasp of assessment, lesson planning, materials selection, and structure for the multilevel ESL classroom.  
 The course includes these topics:
 Week 1: Understanding the Multilevel Classroom (Webinar)
 Week 2: Project Based Learning and Differentiated Instruction
 Week 3: Options for Instruction
 Week 4: Preparing Your Lesson Plan
 Week 5: Review and Discussion of Sample Lesson Plans (Webinar)   At the end of the course, you will be able to: Identify what makes a classroom "multilevel"

Describe the benefits and challenges of a multilevel classroom
Name formal and informal strategies for assessing students' needs
Discuss ways to frame instruction to build on students' strengths and resources and to meet students' needs
Identify strategies you will try in your own multilevel classroom
Identify types of feedback that are helpful to your students
  Documentation: Certificate of Completion will document 15 hours as completion time.   Course information and registration: http://www.newreaderspress.com/Items.aspx?hierId=6680  
 
Creating Engaging ESOL Activities Using Computers
Course Dates: April 12 - May 21 Course webinar: May 21, 1:00 - 2:00p.m. (EST)  Course Instructor: Diana Satin Course Description: Research shows that interesting, engaging learning activities using productivity software increase students' motivation and help them learn English for all the reasons they come to your classes. In addition, more and more jobs require computer skills. Students who can use computers effectively expand their career options in countless ways.   Through this course, you will integrate computer software into your ESOL instruction. You'll identify the steps necessary to incorporate computer software applications into lesson plans, including analyzing specific language and computer skills. You will finish the course having developed, tested, and refined a learning activity for your own classroom.    At the end of the course, you will be able to:
 Describe the benefits and challenges of using word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software in ESOL instruction
 Evaluate student use of productivity software
 Analyze learning activities for language and computer skills
 Convert a classroom activity to one that includes productivity software, test it with students, and evaluate the activity
 Documentation: Certificate of Completion will document 12 hours as completion time.  
 Course information and registration: http://www.newreaderspress.com/Items.aspx?hierId=6590   
 
 Research-based Strategies and Models for Adult Transitions to Postsecondary Education
April 22–June 16, 2010; one teleconference on April 27, 1 pm, or April 28, 1 pm 
Participants read and discuss the research on the changing workforce and examine the reasons why adult learners need to go beyond the GED and English language study to advance their earning potential. Participants also learn about the challenges facing adult students in postsecondary education and investigate strategies and program models that support adult transitions to postsecondary education. Throughout the course, participants gather local and regional data on the labor market, educational needs, and academic programs and support services offered by area colleges to guide future program development and planning. 
Objectives Upon completion of this course participants will be able to:
•         Identify the economic factors that point to the need for education and training beyond the GED and English language study.
•         Describe key challenges adult learners face, particularly under-prepared students, in accessing and persisting in postsecondary education.
•         Describe a variety of strategies that contribute to persistence in postsecondary education.
•         Describe the key strengths and limitations of five models of adult transition.
•         Describe the economic and educational landscape in their local area.
•         Articulate the need for college transition programming to support the successful transition of adult learners to postsecondary education, based on national and local data.
Course Format and Schedule: facilitated, online
During this eight-week course, you will engage in self-paced activities and readings, as well as asynchronous discussions with other course participants. A one-time, opening teleconference is scheduled for April 27, 1 pm, or April 28, 1 pm 
http://professionalstudiesae.worlded.org/pdf/CTOverApr10.pdf

 Course Instructor: Barbara Hofmeyer  Estimated Completion Time: 24 hours
 Complete and return the registration form, http://professionalstudiesae.worlded.org/pdf/CTRegApr10.pdf, or complete online at
 http://professionalstudiesae.worlded.org/registertransitions.html.  Payment must be received prior to enrollment. 
 World Education reserves the right to cancel the course if the minimum number of registrants is not met by April 14.

 Coming Home from War  The Change Agent, Issue 30
 With this issue of The Change Agent, Coming Home from War, we opened our pages to veterans, family members of veterans, and war refugees. In their
 own voices, they talk about what it’s like to come home from war (or, for some, to have to seek a new home), what it’s like to welcome their veteran home,
 and how they remember and memorialize the soldiers who did not make it home. Using poetry, short narratives, interviews, cartoons, illustrations, and photo
 stories, this issue roots reading, writing, and math lessons in content that is intensely moving and relevant to adult learners. Background pieces, maps, and
 quick facts about the war(s) provide opportunities for students to extend their learning. Lesson plans and discussion questions give teachers classroom-ready
 material that will engage students and provide an important forum for critical thinking, sharing, and achieving understanding across diverse experiences. And,
 as always with The Change Agent, we feature the positive ways that veterans and community members have organized and advocated on behalf of veterans to
 promote healing, to ensure benefits, and to acknowledge society’s overall responsibility for the human cost of war. Extra in this issue: a special feature by
 Heather Lash called Listening to Refugees – for teachers who are looking for guidance in responding to the trauma and sadness that sometimes comes out in students’ stories.



 CURRICULUM: Something is Wrong: Exploring the Roots of Youth Violence
 
Project NIA, the Chicago Freedom School and Teachers for Social Justice have partnered along with other volunteers to develop a curriculum guide in order
 to contribute to the ongoing efforts by young people and their adult allies to analyze the root causes of youth violence and to create local solutions.At a time
 when frustration is running high and many are expressing a sense of powerlessness in the face of pervasive violence, this curriculum guide is an offering
 intended to make a positive contribution to the dialogue about violence in the lives of young people.
 http://www.teachersforjustice.org/2010/02/curriculum-something-is-wrong-exploring.html
 

 
 
The Childhood Lead Action Project is a statewide organization working to eliminate childhood lead poisoning through education, parent support, and
 advocacy.  With the support of a recent EPA grant, the Childhood Lead Action Project has developed a comprehensive lead poisoning prevention ESL
 curriculum to help ESL providers to supply their clients with important information to keep themselves and their families safe.
 The Childhood Lead Action Project is making this curriculum available to ESL providers throughout the state. 
 Contact Emily Godfrey, at 401-785-1310(x207) or emily@leadsafekids.org to inquire about the curriculum.

 In addition to the ESL curriculum, the Childhood Lead Action Project also provides free trainings, seminars and workshops on lead poisoning prevention,
 and tenants' rights.  These presentations can be tailored for ABE audiences, or for service providers. 
 Please contact Emily Godfrey for more information. -Emily Godfrey, Community Educator, Immigrant and Refugee Lead Prevention Project,
 Childhood Lead Action Project, 1192 Westminster St., Providence, RI 02909 (401) 785-1310  ext. 207 emily@leadsafekids.org


 
 talk about it :
 
 discussion aimed at continuing the dialogue started at the National Institute for Literacy's Achieving Student Success:
 Transitions to Post-secondary Education webcast - renewed discussion will be held during the week of March1.
 If you missed the January 20, broadcast, you may view the archived version at  http://www.nifl.gov/webcasts/10Transitions
 
Topic:  Furthering the Achieving Student Success: Transitions to Post-secondary Education Webcast Dialogue


 This webcast was moderated by Daniel Miller, Acting Director of the National Institute of Literacy. Participants explored successful student
 transitions as well as discussed current research and adult education program perspectives.  During the webcast many interesting questions were raised.
 Time ran out before all were addressed.  As panelists on the webcast, our guests and I will do our best to answer many of the remaining questions in the upcoming discussion.

 Guests:
 Jeffrey A. Fantine is the State Director of Adult Education and Family Literacy at the Maine Department of Education.:
 http://www.nifl.gov/webcasts/10TransitionsBios#fantine

  Julie Scoskie is Director of the national award-winning Jefferson County Public Schools Adult and Continuing Education (JCPS ACE) Program  Louisville,
 http://www.nifl.gov/webcasts/10TransitionsBios#scoskie 

  Ronna Spacone has been an Education Program Specialist with the Office of Vocational and Adult Education, U.S. Department of Education, since 2003.
 http://www.nifl.gov/webcasts/10TransitionsBios#spacone

 Our recommended preparations for this dialogue are to view the webcast and the presenters' slides and references at
 http://www.nifl.gov/webcasts/10Transitions

- Ellen Hewett , National College Transition Network Phone:  617-385-3670


 World Education
recently completed extensive updates and revisions of the website, Assessment Strategies and Reading Profiles
 http://www.nifl.gov/readingprofiles/index.htm.  In addition to providing useful information and free resources on reading assessment and
 reading profiles the site has an interactive feature that allows  teachers  to match adult learners' test scores to research-based adult reading profiles and
 then to receive instructional suggestions based on the matches. To publicize the updated site, World Education will sponsor special discussions
 (described below) on the National Institute for Literacy’s LINCS Discussion Lists. 
 To join any or all of the discussions, as well as the other LINCS Discussion Lists:   http://www.nifl.gov/lincs/discussions/discussions.html   
 
 
March 22 Reading and Writing Skills of ABE Transition Learners
Guest discussants: Cynthia Zafft (World Education), Lauren Capatosto (Harvard Graduate School of Education), and Sally Gabb (Bristol Community College) Moderator: Ellen Hewett
 
April 12 The Literacy Development of ESL Beginners: Observations and Analyses from the NCSALL ESL Laboratory Classrooms Guest discussant: Kathy Harris, Portland (OR) State University
Moderator: Miriam Burt
 
June 21 Reading Patterns and Profiles of Adult Literacy Participants Guest discussants: Daryl Mellard (Kansas University) and Daphne Greenberg (Georgia State University) Moderator: Daphne Greenberg 

 online: http://www.cal.org/resources/pubs/haitians.html The Haitians: Their History and Culture

 Michele Burtoff Civan with Féquière Vilsaint and Gepsie Morisset-Métellus
This booklet is a basic introduction to the people, history, and culture of Haiti. It is designed primarily for service providers and others assisting refugees in
 their new communities in the United States.
 English-Haitian Creole Phrasebook This phrasebook was designed to supply refugees with English phrases selected for their usefulness in daily life in the
 United States.

CAL has posted this phrasebook in PDF format at the request of HRSA the Office of Emergency Preparedness and Continuity of Operations
 (EPCO) division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to provide information to service providers being sent to Haiti to aid victims
 of the recent earthquake.


 from Thursday notes, February 25, 2010:
                                                                 
                                                                 
  President Sets Plans For College- and Career- Ready Standards           
 Speaking to the National Governors Association (http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6231472n) on Feb. 22, President Obama announced steps
 to encourage and support all states in transitioning to college- and career-ready standards. The first step is part of the administration’s proposal for a redesigned Elementary and
 Secondary Education Act.  As a condition of receiving access to Title I funds, all states would be required to establish a plan to adopt and certify standards that are college- and
 career-ready in reading and math. The president also announced plans to launch a competition to reward states that join together to develop the highest-quality, cutting-edge
 assessments to measure progress and to help support their implementation.
 http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/02/obama-to-nga-americas-students-cannot-accept-second-place.php
           
 OVAE's National Meeting Posted On Secretary's Blog           
 http://www.ed.gov/blog/2010/02/secretary-duncan-speaks-to-state-directors-of-adult-education/ 
 The blog is one of the new ways the Department is communicating. You can also follow our news on Twitter and Facebook by visiting http://www.ed.gov.
           
 Ohio Uses WIA Incentive Funds for Postsecondary Transitions Innovations           
 The Ohio Board of Regents recently announced the availability of $813,255 in federal funds from its FY 2008 Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Incentive
 Grant to support local innovation grants demonstrating integration of services for career exploration and planning, assessment, curriculum, and instruction.
 Applicants must specify how they will design and deliver an adult basic and literacy education program in partnership with postsecondary education or training
 programs that will result in student attainment of the certificate(s) pursued. Students targeted for this grant are not prepared for postsecondary education but are
 interested in pursuing careers and need additional education or training. Up to five grants with a maximum of $162,651 will be awarded for 15 months (April 2, 2010
 through June 30, 2011). Grantees will be selected based upon factors identified in the application, including cost efficiencies, service levels, program plan, and other critical criteria.
 
 http://www.uso.edu/network/workforce/able/grants.php


funding opportunities - large and less large


 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS for CONTEXTUALIZED EDUCATION AND TRAINING TIED TO CAREER PATHWAYS IN HIGH DEMAND
 EMPLOYMENT SECTORS

 Issued by Rhode Island's two local workforce boards WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS OF PROVIDENCE/CRANSTON and THE WORKFORCE
 PARTNERSHIP OF GREATER RHODE ISLAND
 Workforce Solutions of Providence/Cranston (WSPC) and The Workforce Partnership of Greater Rhode Island (WPGRI) request proposals to establish new,
 innovative models of integrated education and training services for adults not easily served through the Workforce Investment Act Individual Training Account voucher system.

 SCOPE OF SERVICES
 The scope of services being solicited through this Request-for-Proposals (RFP) are training services that provide contextualized learning tied to career pathways in high demand
 employment sectors for adults with low literacy levels and/or limited English speaking ability who lack occupational skills.
 
 MANDATORY BIDDERS CONFERENCE The Bidders Conference will be held on: Wednesday, March 3, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Providence Marriott Downtown Hotel One Orms St, Providence
 Attendance is mandatory for prospective bidders.

 APPLICATION FOR FUNDING CONSIDERATION
 RFP packages will be available on Saturday, February 27, at http://www.griworkforce.com or http://www.workforcesolutionspc.com or on Monday, March 1, from 8:30 a.m.
 to 4:00 p.m. at: WPGRI Administrative Office, RIDLT Building 73-1, 1511 Pontiac Avenue, Cranston, RI
 
 Anyone in need of an interpreter for the hearing impaired must call the TDD # at (401) 462-8006. The Marriott Hotel is accessible to the disabled. You are encouraged to
 submit your questions by email in advance of the bidders’ conference to:  jbuck@dlt.state.ri.us
 EEO/Affirmative Action Employer


 New Roots Providence Grant Applications are Now Available
 New Roots Providence has received significant new funding to provide training, technical assistance and financial assistance to build the capacity of nonprofits to play a pivotal
 role in the state's economic recovery. New Roots Providence is also pleased to serve organizations across the state of Rhode Island.
  With new funding we can:
 Award $500,000 in grants - our largest amount ever;
 Support organizations with annual budgets as large as $500,000;
 Award grants to more types of organizations than ever before.
 Faith-based as well as community organizations are eligible, and organizations do not need federal nonprofit status to receive a grant. 
 Application Deadline: Wednesday, April 7th, 2010
 To be eligible for a grant, organizations have to support (or plan to support) one or more of the following groups:  
 Organizations that are dedicated to helping low-income people increase their income or assets. 
 This category includes organizations that work with people receiving TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families),
 that provide workforce development and job placement services, and assist in helping  people get tax refunds and credits.
 OR     Organizations working with one or more of the following groups:
 children of men and women who are in prison;
 people returning to the community from prison;
 youth in danger of getting involved with violence or gang activity;
 people moving from public assistance into employment ("welfare to work");
 elders in need;
 people who are homeless;
 people who need intensive substance abuse rehabilitation services.
   
 Application forms are available on the New Roots website: http://www.newrootsprovidence.org
 For more information contact Bernadette Tavares at (401) 455-8880 x216 or at btavares@provplan.org       

 


  - grants posted on the National Institute for Literacy website:
   http://www.nifl.gov/cgi-bin/lincs/search/gsearch/dbsearch.cgi?action=Show%20Results

  - 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.

 The University of Rhode Island seeks a learning specialist to coordinate the Academic Enhancement Center at Central Falls High School.
 This full-time position involves developing and coordinating a range of academic support programs to meet the learning needs of Central
 Falls students. A full description can be found on the URI website:
 https://jobs.uri.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/position/JobDetails_css.jsp?postingId=136822



  Jobs for Change "seeks to spark a nationwide movement toward careers in the nonprofit, government, and social enterprise sectors"  – online at
 http://jobs.change.org/


  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


  RI DLT's Rhode Island Red job search feature  draws 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


 Unemployment lifeline – from the AFL-CIO, with locally-searchable links to resources http://www.unemploymentlifeline.com/ 


online / resources available
  downloadable resources from The Popular Education News http://www.popednews.org/resources.html

 Free online resources that are very appropriate for adult learners are available at http://www.AskRI.org.
 They include online homework help for grades 3 to adult from 2-10 everyday at tutor.com.  Includes career help (resume review, job search, interview help),
 GED prep, citizenship, review of a document by a live tutor.  Also  check out the Skills Center for thousands of worksheets, tutorials, study guides and more. 
 Check out the online encyclopedia - World Book Discover - for adult learners and those with reading challenges includes translation
 capabilities into 14 languages along with employment, financial, health, and housing resources and more.
 
 AskRI is available not only in your public library, but also in schools, community centers and at home.
 With just an Internet connection, you have a whole world of authoritative information at your fingertips.
 And if you have a card from a public library, you have access to even more information tools. The service includes Spanish resources as well as English.


new brief from CAELA: Managing Programs for Adults Learning English http://www.cal.org/caelanetwork/resources/managing.html


  Many professionals in our field have expressed a concern about the difficulty of keeping up-to-date with the latest advances in technology for people with low vision.
 The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) has received a gift from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation to address this issue.
 
Four 1-day workshops on Low Vision Technology presented by Ike Presley, National Project Manager, AFB, including this one in Boston next spring:
 April 22, 2010, Massachusetts  Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA,  8:30-4:30; Applications due 3/12/10
 
 Who should attend?  Ophthalmologists, optometrists, low vision therapists/specialists, occupational therapists, rehabilitation teachers, teachers of the
 visually impaired, assistive technology specialists, allied health professionals working with people who have low vision
  Free! In fact, we will be able to offer a travel reimbursement stipend of up to $400 for each participant.
 
 These workshops have two broad objectives. 
 Participants will acquire a general knowledge of the current types of technology available for people with low vision, and participants will provide input to
 AFB about the most effective strategies to keep professionals up-to-date on this topic.
 Please contact Shirley Landrum at slandrum@afb.net for an application. Selected participants will be notified within 5-days after the application due date.
 For additional information please visit http://www.afb.org and select Calendar of Events under AFB Community, or contact Ike Presley at presley@afb.net, 404-525-2303.


 

  interesting: an article in the UK Guardian weekly about ESOL provision in the US.
  http://www.guardianweekly.co.uk/?page=editorial&id=1254&catID=18


  Rhode Island Employment Disability E-News, newsletter from the Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities,
 available at: http://www.ric.edu/sherlockcenter/onlinepublications.html

  the Math Bulletin, developed by SABES
 http://www.sabes.org/resources/publications/mathbulletin/math-bulletin-june2009.pdf


 Good geography refresher...and good mouse skill practice as well.
 http://jimspages.com/States.htm from Kate Northcott, Director, Student Literacy Corps Webster University

 resources at FREE, the website that makes it easier to find teaching and learning resources from the federal government:  http://www.free.ed.gov/

 Math - What's the Problem? examines the state of math education in the U.S. and the roles of culture, technology, and research on improving math learning and
 proficiency.  Learn about the "miles per gallon illusion" and the train problem.  Discover resources on fractals, matrices, human face recognition, biomimetic
 research, computational conformal mapping, and the "kissing number" of a sphere.  (National Science Foundation)
 http://www.free.ed.gov/resource.cfm?resource_id=2131
 


  from NIFL's workplace literacy list (for more see http://www.nifl.gov/pipermail/workplace/2009/002275.html )
 Community Literacy Planning Guide - This planning guide will support communities as they: gather together to talk about literacy; decide to participate in the Literacy Now
 Communities program; submit an application for planning funds; mobilize local community energy and knowledge; assess the community’s literacy needs; build on existing
 literacy work and address important gaps; and prepare a community plan.
 http://www.2010legaciesnow.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Embrace_Learning/PDF/LiteracyNow_Guide.pdf    
 
 

 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/

 
 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
 

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

 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/


 
  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/trainin
 


 7th Annual WE LEARN (Net)Working Gathering on Women & Literacy http://www.litwomen.org/conference.html  March 4-6, 2010
 University of Rhode Island / Providence Campus / Providence, RI  Special Forum: Thursday, March 4 / Annual Conference: Friday -  Saturday, March 5-6

  Pre registration deadline is February 26th



 The call for proposals for the 2010 Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers conference has been posted here:
 http://aleronline.org/conference.html deadline, February 8, 2010

 
 Sharing Skills – Building Connections, March 10 – Commonwealth Workforce Coalition.
 Registration materials will be available on line early in January.  http://cwc.cedac.org/index.html



 
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) 2009 Annual Convention – Re-Imagining TESOL
 http://www.tesol.org/s_tesol/convention2010/  March 24 – 27, 2010, Boston

 
 The Connecticut Association for Adult and Continuing Education Conference March 25-26, Water's Edge Resort
Westbrook, CT
 
(800) 222-5901  http://www.caace.net/Content/Conference.asp   
 

 STAND'S Adult Learner Statewide Leadership Conference Coming This Fall
 We are announcing our first adult learner statewide leadership conference coming this fall to Providence, and are looking for learners to come up with a
 name for the event. A flyer that explains the theme, and the contest rules for submissions can be found at http://www.brown.edu/lrri/nameconf.doc in English,
 and in Spanish http://www.brown.edu/lrri/nameconfsp.doc.
 
 We understand that many of our adult learners are not all familiar with what a conference is, or what they might get out of attending one. Therefore, we were hoping that you
 and your staff could use this opportunity talk to about what is involved in attending a conference (or even presenting at one!). We hope this will lead to more student interest
 in suggestions for workshops that they would like to attend and learn from.
 
 We are asking you to please print out the flyer and use them for class discussions, or at least pass them out to as many of your learners and alumni as possible.
 The contest ends March 22, 2010. If you have any question or concerns please contact me at wes@standri.org
- Wes Garvin  Director of STAND, 600 Mount Pleasant Ave. Bldg. #30 Providence, RI  02908
  401 456 2838 401 527 4219  http://www.standri.org

 
 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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