literacy zones: regents educational reform initiative

1. LITERACY ZONES: Regents Educational Reform Initiative Planning for A Literacy Zone

2. Today Not a bidders conference T.A. support for adult education programs, foundations, other providers interested in developing a literacy zone Made in NY concept so no state or federal legislation Currently first wave funded; opportunities over next several years for second and third waves, working through RAEN centers Our assumption: any planning or steps to develop a literacy zone is good for adult education students, their families, their communities and for adult education results�multiple funding opportunities over next 2-3 years Concept, elements, directions, lessons from first wave

3. More Background Thinking Lessons learned through Literacy Zone pilots will be integrated into core adult education funding, as appropriate SED role on two tracks: build up and pilot first wave; support planning for 2nd and 3rd waves Already piloting new technologies, regional pipeline approaches, ASISTS metrics to tell more comprehensive story of impact of adult education when fully connected and leveraged

4. Context Adult education nationally moving to a greater focus on career pathways and postsecondary transition for out of school youth and adults---beyond the GED Also greater focus on aligning systems and resource streams Simultaneously, NYSED implementing education reform effort called Literacy Zones that involve pathways out of poverty for all ages in a high poverty/immigration neighborhoods Objective: statewide network of literacy zones connected as learning community on cutting edge of innovation for adult education Neighborhood pipelines of opportunity/regional pipelines

5. Literacy Zones Place-based strategy using an all hands on deck approach Cross-lifespan: pre-natal through elderly Cross-education: full continuum from baby basics and early childhood, k-12 and postsecondary, adult education as lead Cross-system: vocational rehabilitation/independent living centers, libraries and cultural education, workforce and one-stops, health services, financial and legal, social services, foundations, volunteer sector, benefits and support services

6. Literacy Zone characteristics Six characteristics: High needs neighborhood or community of concentrated poverty/concentrated immigration with limited English language Effective adult education provider as lead 14 priority partnerships for programs, service and referral 10 pathways out of poverty Family welcome center as hub Guiding coalition to develop LZ

7. Neighborhood of Concentrated Poverty/Limited English Language Proficient Clearly defined target community: neighborhood, zip code, or community, not entire borough, city, region, county Detailed evidence of concentrated poverty and/or limited English language proficiency If low performing school in neighborhood, must be identified and connected as part of coordinated plan for raising literacy and English language proficiency, P-16 through adult Literacy needs of the community clearly defined

8. Effective Adult education provider as lead applicant Lead applicant has demonstrated expertise and results in providing adult literacy, esol, ged preparation Could be part of consortium Key investments Community partnership coordinator Full time case management Statewide networking and training, including benefits training Contextualized literacy to build skills to navigate complex systems

9. Family Welcome Center Heart of every literacy zone: one or more, hub and spoke, serves as access portal to literacy, services, benefits, pathways Stabilize family: benefits counseling, supports, program and services access, referral (literacy zone counselors and connections to other counselors) Skills to navigate complex systems: health literacy, financial stability, postsecondary access, immigration, support for literacy at all ages Pathways out of poverty OPT testing for public; possible GED test online Internet technologies (job/career zone, Learner Web, ASISTS, my benfits, Lotus Live and other social networking, e-literacy) Volunteers to provide tutoring, remediation, help with technologies, and skills support across the continuum

10. Family Welcome centers Fully and clearly described, including location Accessible to parents and community Access to web Services and programs co-located on site Space to administer OPT ADA compliant Center staff have skills and experience to work effectively with individuals from different cultures, backgrounds, languages Connections to other case managers/counselors Hub and spoke connections clear

11. 10 Pathways Out of Poverty Raise literacy levels, birth through adult (100% literacy) Programs to enable at risk in school youth to complete high school and move to postsecondary Postsecondary transition for out of school youth and adults Programs for public assistance recipients and 200% poverty leading to employment and advancement. Incarcerated transition Veterans transition Pathways to citizenship and English language proficiency Support for individuals with disabilities and their families Support for mature workers and senior citizens to enable them to stay out of poverty. Workforce development programs, including apprenticeship and career pathways.

12. Pathways Tailored to needs of community Clearly described, including connections and plans to build SED will help build and enhance

13. Networking and interagency coordination Literacy zones should provide comprehensive access to services and programs supporting individual or family Literacy zone partnership matrix describes 14 priority services (handout) Substantive partnerships with substantive letters of intents, mou�s, resource commitments Roles and responsibilities clear Planning clearly described; steps and agreements for coordinating services Clear description of comprehensive support for families to increase literacy and English language proficiency

14. Guiding Coalition of Stakeholders Clear commitment of stakeholders to develop literacy zone over long term Planning calendar Implementation calendar Substantive letters of support

15. First Wave Just Funded 18 very comprehensive Literacy zones with 43 family welcome centers---3 year, $15 million commitment supplemented by federal incentive grant funding Dozen plus capacities, including: IBM support for social networking software and strategic planning; benefits training through Cornell University Waking Work Pay, DOH, OTDA, mybenefits NY portal; one-stop connections; career and job zone; disability training; work readiness curricula; piloting of ITTS and e-literacy; VISTA volunteers; training in NIFL LD curricula; connections to immigrant rights supports (DOL) etc. Expand tracking of impact through ASISTS and semi-structured family interviews

16. Central New York Postsecondary and Workforce Pilot 6 literacy zones in central New York supported by Regional Adult Education Network Center (Jim Matt) and strong community foundations USDOE postsecondary transition and regional educational pipeline focus: 6 literacy zones provide support services, program connections, special transition services to create smooth pathways to 5 community colleges and 5 workforce investment boards to support regional economic development Learner Web could be tool for developing Pathway Learner Plans for all 10 pathways Start with postsecondary transition and transition to training and careers CORD will provide comprehensive 9 month training on adult career pathways in key economic sectors: green jobs, advanced manufacturing, health care