Leaping into MN FastTRAC programming. You're not alone!

1. Leaping into MN FastTRACprogramming. You're not alone! Presenters Mary Jo Gardner Judy Mortrude Jenifer Vanek Karen Wolters

2. Presentation Outline • Welcome & Introductions • Brief overview of MN FastTRAC and current programs around Minnesota • Presentation of PD opportunities developed by MN FastTRAC PD team Teaching in Integrated Instruction, • Support for Administrators in MN FastTRACPrograms, and • Best Practice for Navigators • Different points of view - Perspectives on MN FastTRAC PD from MNSCU, Workforce Development/CBO and Department of Education/ABE • Demo of the modules and activities • Expectations of current grantees • MN NextSTEPplans for Bridge Prep and Bridge I work • Description of upcoming MN FastTRACPD opportunities

3. MN FastTRACParticipants • Who is a MN FastTRACparticipant? • ABE and ESL students who are ready to be successful in postsecondary • Other possible characteristics • MFIP enrolled • WIA Adult, Dislocated worker • Incumbent worker • Unemployed or Underemployed individuals • Multiple minimum-wage, part-time jobs

4. MN FastTRACVision • Meeting state and employer demands for a skilled workforce and providing opportunities for low-wage, low-skilled adults to access high quality education and training leading to career pathway employment

5. MN FastTRACPartners • MN FastTRACparticipants are often common clients of education, public assistance and workforce development. MN FastTRACrequires a highly collaborative approach to serving participants. • Local MN FastTRACpartnership example – • ABE provider • MN State College and University (MnSCU) campus • Workforce Center • Community Based Organization (CBO) • Human services

6. How Does MN FastTRAC Help? • Through building career pathways. • Career pathways are a proven, innovative educational design for streamlined ABE that leads to good jobs. They are: • Worker-friendly, cost-effective, short-term training that allows students to earn a certificate or credential. • Credit-bearing credential attainment in occupations in demand allowing immediate job placement while opening the door to continue postsecondary education toward additional certificates, diplomas and degrees. • Allow students get the skills necessary for family-sustaining jobs.

7. MN FastTRAC PD Team • Members: • Kira Dahlk, MWCA • Julie Dincau, MDE ABE Transitions • Nancy Genelin, SCC - VP • Diane Halvorson, SC WIB • Karen Hynick, MnSCU • Astrid Liden, MDE ABE PD • Brian Paulson, GTCUW • Kay Pollard, DEED • Karen Wolters, Mankato ABE • Debra Hsu, MnSCUPerkins • Jen Vanek, MoreLiteracy • Goals: •  Create a unified, practitioner- level vision of Minnesota’s cross-system adult career pathways (MNFastTRAC) to help reach the one MNFastTRACprogram at every MnSCU institution by 2014 goal • Fill gaps in knowledge about each other’s systems in support of adult career pathway work • Connect Minnesota’s adult career pathway professional development work to national Adult Basic Education/Community & Technical College/Workforce Development/Community Based Organization work.

8. PD Opportunities

9. Integrated Instruction - ABE Integrated Instruction - Using the Materials – What did ABE contribute? What was using it like? What was helpful? How much time did it take? How did it fit the PD needs to learning to use Integrated Instruction?

10. Workforce System/CBO Navigator/Administrator Courses Deep involvement of Workforce development and community based organization systems in creation of the materials. Report on early use

11. MNSCU • Use by partnering career & technical education instructors

12. PD Demo – Learn Best Practice

13. PD Demo – Useful Activities

14. Expectations of Current Grantees • Administrator • August/September • Spend 10 hours total in self-directed use of online training materials - to include viewing the materials AND uploading one activity for each module. • October/November/December/January/February • Spend 1 hour each month participating in an online meeting (webinar) to highlight best practices - local practitioners will present • Navigator • August/September • Spend 10 hours total in self-directed use of online training materials - to include viewing the materials AND uploading one activity for each module. • October/November/December/January/February • Spend 1 hour each month participating in an online meeting (webinar) to highlight best practices - local practitioners will present • Integrated Instructor Teams • September/October/November • Spend 10 hours total in self-directed use of online training materials - to include viewing the materials AND uploading one activity for each module. • January/February/March/April/May • Spend 1 hour each month participating in an online meeting (webinar) to highlight best practices - local practitioners will present

15. NextSTEP plans for the Bridge Prep and Bridge I work • Bridge Prep and Bridge I – how will we move lower skilled learners to these career pathway programs?

16. Description of upcoming FastTRAC PD opportunities  • Online modules at PDCentral Site • September 18th meeting for new ACP2012 grantees • Accuplacer Diagnostic/My Foundations Lab training • Ideas on more regional approach?

17. Resources • For more information: • www.MNFastTRAC.org • www.mnfasttrac.org/teams.html Mary Jo Gardner - mgardner@rcwib.org Judy Mortrude – judy.mortrude@state.mn.us Jenifer Vanek – jenvanek@moreliteracy Karen Wolters - kwolte1@isd77.k12.mn.us

18. Questions?