Presentation Transcript

1. Literacy, Language, ncrc and metrics: Proving success to stakeholders

   2009 Michigan NCRC ConferenceNovember 17, 2009 Kristin J. Ekkens, MA Customized Workplace English, Program Director
2. Workshop Agenda Part 1: Literacy Center’s Move towards NCRC The challenge of our current workforce Overview of Literacy Center Implementation of KeyTrain and WorkKeys Part 2: Development of Key Metrics for LCWM Strategy Map Balanced Scorecard Example: A new tool for measuring Internal Processes
3. Part 1: Literacy Center’s Move towards NCRC Part 1: Literacy Center’s Move towards NCRC
4. 1.7 million working-age adults in Michigan lack the basic skills or credentials to attain a family-sustaining job and contribute to the state’s economy. The challenge of our current workforce FACT: Low literacy impacts the workplace Source: 2008 report from Michigan’s Council for Labor and Economic Growth
5. The challenge for employers LCWM adult learner Employment Letter
6. Staggering Statistics Labor Force In 2008, 15.6 % of the U.S. civilian labor force were foreign-born. Educational Attainment 26.4% foreign-born labor force had no HS Diploma -- compared with 5.8% native-born Wages Foreign-born workers with less than a high school education earned $417 per week in 2008, while those with bachelor's degrees and higher earned about 2.6 times as much--$1,092 a week. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported on March 26, 2009.
7. The challenge for employers Competitive pressures  Change in operations Requiring more from workers About 20 % of America's workers have low basic skills, and 75 % of unemployed adults have reading or writing difficulties. Over 60 % of front-line workers in the goods-producing industry cannot match information in a text to the required task if any inference is involved, and cannot integrate information from several sources. *Statistics taken from http://www.michiganliteracy.org/worklit.htm(10/08)
8. Overview of Literacy Center of West Michigan
9. Literacy Center of West Michigan LCWM’s Mission: Build a literate community and transform lives by strengthening language and literacy skills. Executive Director: Susan K. Ledy Type of Company: Non-profit, 403c since 1986 People Served: 1,372 Total (ABE, ESL, MWT) (PY 08-09) Programs: Adult Tutoring Program, Customized Workplace English Family Literacy Program Staff: 10 Full-time paid 6 Part-time paid, 4Americorps 316 Part-time volunteers Annual Budget: nearly $1.3 million Website: www.literacycenterwm.org
10. Literacy Center of West Michigan Adult Tutoring Program Family Literacy Program 1-1 ESL and Literacy tutoring for adults 1-1 tutoring for families in Head Start Over 300 volunteer tutors Served nearly 550 learners in PY 08-09 GRPS’ Schools of Hope and United Way Iglesias de Esperanza ESL Classes for parents PACT Served 40 individuals since Nov 2008
11. Customized Workplace English Building Bridges over Language and Culture Barriers We provide literacy, language, and multicultural training for West Michigan companies. Upgrade employees’ skills in reading, writing, math, employability, and communication in English Keep employers competitive locally and globally by reducing turnover and increasing productivity, safety and quality
12. Customized Workplace English Building Bridges over Language and Culture Barriers Recognized for Innovation and Quality Featured in 2008 broadcast of ABC World News Tonight with Charles Gibson. Cited as a model program for workplace literacy in 2008 CLEG report and received 2006 Best Practices Award by MDLEG Featured multiple times in The Grand Rapids Business Journal, Business Review of West Michigan, and MiBiz (area newspapers) Awarded the 2007 Vendor of the Year Award by WindQuest Companies, Inc., a company in Holland, Michigan Ranked 6th on the Grand Rapids Business Journal’s list of Top Area Corporate Training Companies of 2008.
13. Implementation of KeyTrain and WorkKeys Rita and son at the award ceremony
14. Customized Workplace EnglishWIRED Initiative (2008) GOALS OUTCOMES KeyTrain curriculum piloted at Lacks Enterprises 15 WorkKeys tests administered 6 individuals tested First LCWM learner to achieve NCRC !! 3-year KeyTrain license gifted to LCWM Pilot KeyTrain curriculum with ESL Learners Make progress towards NCRC’s Administer WorkKeys testing Partner with 1 employer
15. Customized Workplace EnglishNWLB Demonstration Grant (08-10) Establish and develop partnership between LCWM and GRCC’s Learning Corner @ Wealthy Provide basic skills (ESL, Literacy, GED) training to 209 individuals Meet EFL gains determined by state Pilot GED/ESL “Plus” components Transition 60% of 209 participants to GED program, post-secondary ed., or job training GOALS
16. Customized Workplace EnglishNWLB Demonstration Grant (08-10) OUTCOMES (Feb-Sept 09): Participants Served: 108 EFL Gains:19 people (1 or more EFL) GED’s: 24 obtained Transitions to Post-secondary: 29 NCRCs: 74 certificates awarded WorkKeys tests completed: 34 Met other Goals: Economic– 8, Societal– 2, Family Literacy Involvement– 4, Personal– 41
17. Customized Workplace EnglishLearner Achievements (Oct 08-Sept 09) Learning Gains and Class Attendance Average gain on CASAS – 3.5 Listening; 3.9 Reading; 4.8 Math Average class attendance—70% National Career Readiness Certificates 50 WorkKeys tests administered 25 individuals tested 4 bronze and 2 silver NCRC’s achieved (PY 08-09) 8 more NCRC’s (Oct 2009– PY 09-10) Progress toward Locating Information: 7 Applied Mathematics: 12 Reading for Information: 15
18. ESL Student Responses to KeyTrain I think I’m addicted! Once I start, I don’t want to stop! I hear what I read. I can listen as many times as I want to. It helps me with pronunciation. When I don’t pass the quiz at the end of the Level, I go back to the beginning and do it again. It helps me to understand what I don’t know. I am surprised I can do the math! Thank you for KeyTrain! How long can I use KeyTrain? When I work on my own I can take my time and think about the questions. I like that. I am learning things about English that I never knew before. It is a very good program. I can work on KeyTrain when I have a break at work…at the library…at home.
19. Lessons Learned Computer-based vs. paper-based Instructors and Tutors need to know the program well. Take time in class to work out “kinks” together. For the first few weeks, encourage students to bring up issues they may be experiencing. Follow-up is essential. Use the sound module Prior to the testing experience, determine if student has worked through Level 4 in each skill he/she is going to take. If not, encourage him/her to wait until the next go-round. Offer the test about a month after students have begun KeyTrain. Because the students are given approximately 35 questions to finish in 45 minute, they should be encouraged to pick up the pace as they practice with KeyTrain.
20. Part 2: Development of Key Metrics for LCWM Part 2: Development of Key Metrics for LCWM
21. Strategy Map and Balanced Scorecard
22. Strategy Maps: Work on What Matters Most Source: Balanced Scorecard Collaborative
23. Strategy Map Perspectives Ask four questions to determine your most important business objectives. Financial. What financial steps are needed to ensure the execution of our Strategy? Customer. Who are our targeted customers, and what is our value proposition in serving them? Processes. To satisfy our customers, at what processes must we excel? People, Systems, and Culture. What capabilities and tools do our employees need to help them execute our strategy?
24. From Strategic Objectives to Measures to Projects Source: Strategy Maps, Norton and Kaplan
25. Scorecards Drive Strategy Execution 1 2 3 4 5
26. Steps for Creating a Scorecard Determine: Your Theme(s). Your Perspectives. The Strategic Objectives in each perspective. Metrics (Measures) and targets for each objective. Assign an owner to each metric. Initiatives to drive each metric.
27. Determine your theme
28. Determine perspectives: Financial What financial steps are needed to ensure the execution of our strategy?
29. Customer Perspective Who are our targeted customers, and what is our value proposition in serving them?
30. Internal Processes (Operations) Perspective To satisfy our customers, at what processes must we excel?
31. Employee Learning and Growth Perspective What capabilities and tools do our employees need to help them execute our strategy?
32. Objectives Metrics Initiatives
33. Team Exercise Determine: Your Theme(s). Your Perspectives. Strategic Objectives in each perspective. Metrics (Measures) and targets for each objective. Assign an owner to each metric. Initiatives to drive each metric.
34. Your Strategy Theme: _______________________________________ Perspectives: _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ (?) Objectives & Measures Live worksheet
35. Mapping Your Strategy: 7 Questions
36. Measurement Tool for Internal Processes Participant Goal Progress Form
37. Participant Goal Progress Form: Tracking
38. Participant Goal Progress Form:Reporting
39. Family Literacy – Program Results Parent Progress Toward Goals Everyday Literate Behaviors 40
40. Summary KeyTrain is an effective tool in helping ABE and ESL learners make progress towards achieving their NCRC. Strategic mapping and balanced scorecards help organizations align with a common mission and show impact, creating more funding opportunities.
41. Questions and Answers Kristin J. Ekkens, MA Customized Workplace English, Program Director Email: kekkens@literacycenterwm.org Website: www.literacycenterwm.org