Transforming Michigan’s Adult Learning Infrastructure Then and Now

1. Transforming Michigan’s Adult Learning InfrastructureThen and Now Presentation to the Maryland Workforce Creation and Adult Education Transition Council October 7, 2008 Corporation for a Skilled Workforce.

2. Michigan’s move of ABE to Jobs Commission – Missed Opportunity Happened over 10 years ago Part of creation of new “super agency” – many programs moved. Programs under new roof but same mandates and no change in processes or integration. Funding decreased over years – no political support for “siloed” program or for how funds were used.

3. Michigan’s current adult learning initiative Adult learning crucial part of Michigan’s economic transformation strategy to create a high skilled, high wage economy. No Worker Left Behind, Governor Granholm’s signature initiative – free post-secondary training for large portion of population. Empty promise for many with low basic skills – thus the adult learning initiative. Basic skills development now becoming part of all workforce activities – Rapid Response, Trade Act, TANF, WIA Title I.

4. Michigan’s Strategy Charge: Develop a strategy and initiative that bridges basic skills development into ongoing post-secondary education Created Adult Learning Work Group Looked at data from a range of sources Held 7 regional forums to get input Defined strategic intent and guiding principles Vision adopted by Council for Labor and Economic Growth

5. 1,690,870Michigan Working-Age Adults (18-64) Need Improved Basic Skills, 2006 372,414 239,800 41,568 38,322 839,528 35,390 123,851 Percent of the total working-age adults (5,041,710): 34% Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2006 American Community Survey (Public Use Microdata Samples)

6. Startling scale of need 44% of Michigan adults are at low literacy, even many with credentials Low basic skills equate to low wages 60% who want to attend a community college need basic remediation first Low enrollment in adult basic education programs

7. Strategic Intent One out of three Michigan workers lacks the basic skills or credentials to attain family-sustaining jobs and contribute to the state’s economy. If Michigan does not address this crisis, our state’s ability to prosper in the future will be severely hampered. It is imperative to transform Michigan’s adult learning infrastructure to connect these adults to continuing education, hard and soft skills, and careers in our ever-changing economy.

8. Guiding Principles Collaboration Accountability Responsiveness Agility Contextualization Entrepreneurism Alignment

9. The impact of transformation Higher personal incomes Higher rates of citizenship and civic engagement Higher levels of educational achievement for future generations Higher levels of fiscal contribution Higher levels of readiness for careers in the new economy

10. Moving to implementation Adult Learning Work Group identifying promising practices and mechanisms for implementing transformation Presenting policy recommendations/ implementation plan to Council for Labor and Economic Growth (CLEG) in December Moving forward with implementation upon adoption by CLEG

11. Challenges Thinking and aligning workforce and education as an adult learning system Tremendous scale of need Regional factors require sensitivity and flexible policies

12. Questions