Rhode Island Adult Education Professional Development 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

    March 9
, 2009

   Bulletin #295

     Dear Colleagues,

    Calls 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


   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  


  Offer VALUE membership opportunities to your students
 
Student leadership organizations are a critical component of any education system. VALUE is a national student organization. VALUE is currently very active in making
 sure that student voices are heard. The Rhode Island Office of Adult and Career and Technical Education is very interested in supporting student and alumni organizations
 and has supported several in the career and technical education arena. As for adult education participants, EDP assessment candidates, and GED test takers and graduates, it
 is important to clarify that membership fees in reputable student leadership organization is an allowable expense. Please, feel free to review the membership materials contained
 in the link below and discuss with your students, alumni, test takers, and staff. 
 http://valueusa.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=85&Itemid=104
 

  Rhode Island Adult Education Conference, Tuesday, May 19th at Rhode Island College.
  Call for participation here (word document)



  ESOL share Tuesday, March 10th, 3 pm at the Genesis Center, 620 Potters Avenue, Providence.
 
Michele Rajotte will share websites and computer-based learning activities designed to help adults find information, services and learning tools they need.
  Have other ideas?  please bring those as well.

Transitions from ESOL to ABE – what do we need to know?  A group of practitioners have been discussing what we need to learn and how we can help each
 other as more and more learners leave ESOL classes and move into ABE classes and programs.  How can we support learners and one another in making these
 shifts?  Please come to share ideas, questions and suggestions. 
Please come to share ideas, questions and suggestions. 
 Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 17th, 4:15 at the Genesis Center/

 practitioner share Tuesday, March 31st at Reflections Café, corner of Wickenden and Governor Street, Providence.


  Urban League of Rhode Island, Inc. Early Learning Childcare Center 246 Prairie Avenue, Providence
 Now Enrolling Infants to 5 years old Monday - Friday from 6:30 AM – 5:30 PM
 Before and After School Program
 Children ages 5-12 years old. Monday – Friday from 6:30 AM – 9:00 AM After School from 2:30 – 5:30 PM
 Please call Dawn Olagbegi at 401-351-5000 ext 166 for more information or to enroll your child/children in our quality and affordable childcare programs.
 Applications forms are available at the Urban League of RI.
 Urban League Of RI operates a DCYF licensed childcare program and accepts DHS childcare subsidies. Sliding scale fee is also available for working parents.
 

 A Merlyn's Pen Writing Contest is launched. If you know a young writer 12-18 who might like to participate, please visit http://www.merlynspen.org.
 Entry is free.  You're also invited to learn which of today's acclaimed novelists were published in Merlyn's Pen--as teens.
 Their early works appear in the Merlyn's Pen New Library of Young Adult Writing. Look at "Success Stories" under "You Succeed" at the home page.
 

 R.I. immigrant leader is go-to man for new arrivals 02/23/09, by Hillary Russ - profile of immigration leader Juan Garcia    http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090223/NEWS/902230323


 
 from Thursday  notes, March 5, 2009
 President Calls for Postsecondary Education, Training       
 
President Obama, in his first address to a joint session of Congress, called for every adult in the United States to commit to at least one year of education or
 training beyond high school and set as a national goal to have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by 2020.
 http://ednews.org/articles/34324/1/President039s-Address-to-Congress-Full-Text/Page1.html
 He said, " … I ask every American to commit to at least one year or more of higher education or career training. This can be community college or a four-year
 school; vocational training or an apprenticeship.  But whatever the training may be, every American will need to get more than a high school diploma. And
 dropping out of high school is no longer an option. It's not just quitting on yourself, it's quitting on your country─and this country needs and values the talents
 of every American."
 http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-of-President-Barack-Obama-Address-to-Joint-Session-of-Congress/
           
 Keenan Testifies on AEFLA Before House Subcommittee    
 Cheryl L. Keenan, director of OVAE's Division of Adult Education and Literacy, testified Feb. 26 before the House Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning,
 and Competitiveness http://edlabor.house.gov/hearings/higher-education/ on reauthorization of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA). Keenan emphasized
  the key role adult education can play in America’s economic recovery because it provides basic literacy skills that are critical for gaining employment that provides family
 -supporting wages. http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/pi/AdultEd/index.html
           
FY 2010 and 2009 Budgets Move Forward  
 The administration announced on Feb. 26, a broad overview of its FY 2010 spending targets, including the overall Department budget request. Detailed budget
 proposals will be submitted to Congress in April.  Budget books and briefings for associations will be available then. Meanwhile, the House passed a HR 1105,
 making FY 2009 appropriations that could level-fund adult education for the remaining seven months of fiscal year 2009. The Senate is expected to act on it soon.
 The Department posted state-by-state estimates http://www.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/statetables/09arrastatetables.pdf of education funding under the American
 Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. http://www.ecs.org/clearinghouse/79/70/7970.pdf
 


  learning opportunities

 from the American Foundation for the Blind: AFB CareerConnect® presents two free online seminars for professionals working with children and adults with
 visual impairments.
 Session 1: Lifelong Learning in Career Education April 28, 2009, 2–3:30 pm (EST)
 Dr. Karen Wolffe, Director, Professional Development and CareerConnect, will discuss the career education model, how to help move children and
 adults through the appropriate stages of the model, the activities and  resources available to instruct children and adults with visual impairments in career education, and more.
 
 Session 2: Determining Current and Future AT Needs April 29, 2009, 2–3:30 pm (EST)
 Ike Presley, Project Manager, Professional Development, will show attendees how to create a "toolbox" for success by presenting the tools needed to access and create printed
 and electronic information. This session will  also feature professionals with visual disabilities discussing the career planning techniques and assistive technologies that have
 helped them compete in the workplace and advance their careers.
 Both seminars will broadcast live to your computer. For more information, and to register for one or both webcasts today,
 visit http://www.afb.org/careerconnect, or contact 888-824-2184 or careerconnect@afb.net.
 Brought to you free-of-charge through the generous support of AT&T.


  The Unseen Impact of Culture on the ESOL Learner Presenter: Robin Lovrien Schwarz
 March 17, 4:00 – 5:00 ET
 Culture plays a large, and often unseen, role in how adult English language learners learn. In this webinar, the impact of culture on learning will be illustrated
 with some anecdotes and information from research. Find out how you can learn more about your own cultural biases, as well as those of your learners.
 References for reading and learning will be provided.
 Robin Lovrien Schwarz, M.Sp.Ed:LD, has been a consultant, trainer and writer in the field of learning difficulties in adult ESOL learners for 20 years. 
 Currently, she is conducting multi-year professional development for ESOL teachers in NY State and at a school for adult ESOL learners in Washington, DC,
 where she resides.    Fee per session: $30.00 Non-Members $20.00 Members
 Fee per video of this session and other archived sessions: $30.00 Non-Members $20.00 Members
 Easy, fast ONLINE registration now available for all NAASLN events! http://www.naasln.org/webinars.htm 
 
 If you have any questions,  you can email us at info@naasln.org or leave a message at 888-5NAASLN (888-562-2756)
 


 new on MLOTS (Media Library of Teaching Skills) at http://mlots.org, a free web-based video library of short classroom or tutoring adult literacy education
 (including ESOL) videos. The library was created to enable adult education teachers to have a video window on other adult education teachers' classes for
 program-based or PD center-based online or face-to-face professional development workshops, study circles and courses. Of course individual teachers can
 access it, too. Each MLoTS-made video is based on state content standards and/or research, theory or best practices. There is also an MLoTS page with links
 to adult education videos made by others, as MLoTS is intended as the "go to" library for adult literacy education classroom videos.
 In October, the MLoTS team video recorded a workshop at the Massachusetts Coalition for Adult Education Conference, Network08.
 We showed two classroom videos (numeracy and ESOL) and we video recorded a small group of teachers discussing the videos. Find these two classroom videos,
 and the teacher discussion videos, at:
 ESOL/ESL Video: Food Vocabulary and Verb Tenses http://mlots.org/lorrie/lorriepage.html
 Numeracy/Mathematics Video: Ratio and Proportion http://mlots.org/abby/abbypage.html
 We would love to hear what you think of these videos, especially the new "Teacher Discussion" videos.
 - David J. Rosen, President Media Library of Teaching Skills, djrosen@mlots.org


 Two new sections of the online course, Research-based Strategies and Models for Adult Transitions to Postsecondary Education, are open for registration.
 In this course  you will read and discuss research on the changing workforce and examine reasons why adult learners need to go beyond the GED to advance their earning potential, and examine
 program models that support adult transitions to postsecondary education.  For information, or to register:
 http://www.professionalstudiesae.org Scroll down to College Transitions and click on the course title. 
 Course dates: March 19-May 13 or April 2-May 27.
 Content overview: http://ProfessionalStudiesAE.worlded.org/pdf/ct_overview_Mar09.pdf
 Registrations accepted on a first come basis. For more information about the course and the policies. please read the Course Overview at
 http://www.professionalstudiesae.org  If you have any questions about registering for these courses please contact Leah Peterson at lpeterson@worlded.org.
 

  COLLEGE PREPARATION FOR ADULTS:
  The Rhode Island Transition to College (RI TTC) at Project RIRAL is now enrolling
 Transition to College is an intensive college preparation program that provides student success workshops and academic instruction in reading, writing, math,
 computer, and study skills.  Career Exploration using the DISCOVER online career exploration and Mentoring workshops are included.  Students also receive
 assistance with Financial Aid and college applications and academic advising.  While attending Transition to College, students enroll in College Reading at the
 Community College of Rhode Island.
 Transition to College is holding Information Sessions for their fall Evening and Weekend programs on Tuesday, March 17 - 5:00 pm and Saturday, March 21 - 5:00 pm.
 Transition to College meets in downtown Pawtucket and at CCRI. Providence.   Funding is provided by the Rhode Island Department of Education and the Nellie Mae
 Educational Foundation, in collaboration with the Community College of Rhode Island.
 Contact:  Marie Crecca-Romero, Program Director at 722.9800 or email MarieCrecca-Romero@riral.org <mailto:MarieCrecca-Romero@riral.org> .
 

  from World Education:
 The fall/winter issue of the excellent journal, Field Notes, with a focus on transitions from ABE to college, is now online, and includes articles such as "A
 Student's Perspective of a College Success Class" by Katie Shaw, "Technology Tools for College Success" by Pat Weisberger, and "Students Leading Students:
 An Interactive Campus Tour Model" by Karen Van Kirk. http://www.sabes.org/resources/publications/fieldnotes/index.htm
 


  National Priorities Project analyzes and clarifies federal data so that people can understand and influence how their tax dollars are spent. 
  Numeracy, critical thinking and technology:  have a look http://www.nationalpriorities.org/costofwar_home  

funding opportunities - large and less large

 Applications Being Accepted for Grants from the National Book Fund
 ProLiteracy's National Book Fund (NBF) supplies books and materials to local adult basic education and literacy programs. The resources available through
 the NBF are from New Readers Press, the publishing division of ProLiteracy.  In addition to New Readers Press materials, National Book Fund grants may
 also be in the form of ProLiteracy’s online self-paced professional development courses. Programs providing direct service in the areas of basic literacy,
 adult basic education, English as a second language (ESL), and family literacy will be considered for support. Applications must be postmarked by April 10
 or earlier to be considered.
 For grant guidelines, application, and order forms for New Readers Press materials and online professional development courses,
 please see http://www.proliteracy.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=356
 Programs awarded a grant must provide a cash contribution to ProLiteracy equal to 20 percent of the grant award.
 ProLiteracy organizational members provide only 10 percent of the grant award! Explore the many other benefits of becoming an organizational member.
 

 
 
Mini-Grant Opportunity Access for All Abilities (AAA)
 Businesses Community Organizations Recreation, Social & Cultural Centers  Expand your membership or customer base. Apply for up to $2500 to increase
 access for people with disabilities to your services, events or activities.  Application Deadline – March 2, 2009  - details and application are available at
 http://www.sherlockcenter.org
 Click on AAA Mini-Grants or Call (401) 456-8072 (v), (401) 456-8773 (TDD)
 Sponsored by: Paul V. Sherlock Center @ RI College Accessible Rhode Island VSA Arts of Rhode Island 


  - 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.


  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



online / resources available
  Uses of Technology in the Instruction of Adult English Language Learners, by Sarah Catherine K. Moore att
  http://www.cal.org/caelanetwork/pd_resources/usestechnology.html 
 
 The brief discusses three ways of using technology with adults learning English—onsite, blended, and online—and briefly describes examples of specific
 technologies and programs for adults learning English. It concludes by identifying issues to consider when using technology and by offering suggestions for
 further research. Although specific programs are mentioned, they are provided solely as examples; their inclusion in the brief is not intended as a product
 endorsement. Data show that in the 2005-2006 program year, adult English language learners received an average of 72 hours of classroom instruction, less
 than 2 hours per week. Integrating technology in instruction for adult English language learners may offer the flexibility to extend learning beyond that
 available in a formal program and thus increase opportunities for language and literacy learning. It may also offer access to new opportunities for interaction
 among students and between teachers and students. - Miriam Burt moderator, Discussion list for those working with adult English language learners, mburt@cal.org

(note: of the sources cited in the brief, this referece, to Lower-Literacy Users is of particular interest to those working with both ABE and ESOL learners:
 http://www.useit.com/alertbox/20050314.html)

 The New England Literacy Resource Center (NELRC) has published the findings of action research done by 18 New England adult education programs that
 investigated persistence strategies in their varied contexts over the course of a semester. This report of the New England Learner Persistence Project is online
 at http://nelrc.org/persist/report09.pdf. In addition to describing the specific strategies and outcomes that resulted in each program, the researchers concluded that
 persistence can be improved by addressing key adult needs, such as the need to feel competent or the need for a sense of community.  
 To see other work being done at NELRC, see   http://www.nelrc.org/expertise/index.html. - Andy Nash, New England Literacy Resource Center
 

  On February 12th, the National Commission on Adult Literacy was represented on a panel that appeared before the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong
  Learning, and Competitiveness (of the House Committee on Education and Labor). The written and supplemental testimony for this appearance is available from
 the Publications page of the Commission's website http://www.nationalcommissiononadultliteracy.org ) and CAAL's site http://www.caalusa.org -- as items
 NC-CAAL4 and NC-CAAL5.

 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/

 from The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) : National Assessment of Adult Literacy: Indirect County and State  Estimates of the Percentage of
 Adults at the Lowest Literacy Level for 1992 and 2003
, from the National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL). The report provides the only available snapshot
 of adult literacy rates for individual states and counties. The report, based on the 2003 NAAL and the 1992 National Adult Literacy Survey (NALS),
 will serve as an important source of literacy information for policymakers and researchers.  The report will be accompanied by an interactive web tool, which will
 show data for all states and counties. The tool will also provide the ability to compare states, counties, and progress in states and counties over time. 
 http://nces.ed.gov/naal/estimates/index.aspx (estimates)  and  http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2009482

 
 Refugees From Iraq Now Available
 his publication provides 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
 

  RI DLT's Rhode Island Red job search feature is now drawing 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



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

 talk about it The Impact of the Findings of the National Early Literacy Panel

 The Family Literacy Discussion List will facilitate a panel discussion about recommendations of the National Early Literacy Panel (NELP) and their impact on
 educators, parents and other children’s caregivers. Three members of the NELP will participate in the discussion. The discussion will take place March 9-13.
 Please read the details below, think about the questions, raise questions of your own, and prepare for an exciting look at the findings of the National Early Literacy Panel.

 Background
 The National Early Literacy Panel (NELP) was convened in 2002 to conduct a synthesis of the scientific research on the development of early literacy skills in
 children ages zero to five. The objective for convening the NELP was to identify interventions and practices that promote positive outcomes in literacy for
 preschool children.
 
 The National Institute for Literacy (NIFL) acted as lead agency in this project, in consultation with cooperating agencies from the Partnership for Reading. The Nation
 Center for Family Literacy, working closely with NIFL, coordinated NELP’s work in the completion of the synthesis. The panel’s report, Developing Early Literacy:
 Report of the National Early Literacy Panel, was officially released on January 8. This report serves as the basis for several, research-based recommendations for
 parents and the early childhood community, including educators, caregivers, and Head Start providers on promoting the foundational skills of life-long literacy.
  
 Guest Panelists
 Laura Westberg is Director of Special Projects/Research at the National Center for Family Literacy. In this capacity, she oversees research and evaluation across
 the organization for determining the effectiveness of products and services that contribute to the literacy development of young children through adults. Her
 responsibilities include project management and supervision, project design, product development, research and evaluation, and proposal and grant writing. Ms.
 Westberg directed the work of the National Early Literacy Panel and coordinated a meta-analysis on parent involvement in children’s reading acquisition for the
 National Institute for Literacy.

 Victoria Molfese is the Ashland/Nystrand Chair in Early Childhood Education at the University of Louisville and Director of the Center for Research in Early Childhood.
 She received her PhD in Developmental Psychology from the Pennsylvania State University and has published journal articles, books, and book chapters in the area of
 cognitive development in infants, children and adults. She has received grants in support of research activities, including an NIH funded longitudinal research grant on
 brain and behavioral predictors of language, reading and cognitive development in children from birth through age 13 years. She currently is conducting research on
 early predictors of reading and mathematics abilities in infants and preschool children, efficacy of mathematics intervention in preschoolers on improving skills of children
 at risk at kindergarten entry and the development of interventions for infants and preschoolers to mitigate development of learning disabilities. Dr. Molfese served as a member of the National Early Literacy Panel.

 Timothy Shanahan is the chair of the National Early Literacy Panel. Dr. Shanahan also is a Professor of Urban Education at the University of Illinois at Chicago and
 Director of the UIC Center for Literacy. He has served as Director of Reading for the Chicago Public Schools, and is a former first grade teacher. His research focuses
 on the relationship of reading and writing, the assessment of reading ability, family literacy, and school improvement. He has published more than 100 articles, chapters,
 and books on these topics.
 
 Discussion Questions:
 What were the questions that the National Early Literacy Panel (NELP) answered?
 What types of interventions did the NELP look at?
 What are the implications of the NELP findings for the instruction and assessment of young children?
 What do the findings of the NELP mean to adult/parent educators?
 How can parents best utilize the findings of the NELP to bolster the learning of their children?
 
 Publication - Read the Executive Summary of the NELP Report, Developing Early Literacy: Report of the National Early Literacy Panel, to enrich your
 participation in the discussion. It may be downloaded from http://nifl.gov/nifl/publications/pdf/NELPSummary.pdf
A copy of the full report can be downloaded from http://www.nifl.gov/nifl/publications/pdf/NELPReport09.pdf
Free print copies are available from EDPubs at http://edpubs.ed.gov 



 Workplace Essential Skills and  GED Connection series Available Through VIDEO-ON-DEMAND

 The adult learning series Workplace Essential Skills and GED Connection are available online through the Rhode Island PBS video streaming portal.  In 25 half-hour segments, the Workplace Essential Skills series
 presents refreshers in fundamental reading, writing, and math skills as they relate to getting, keeping, or advancing in a job. Lessons also cover job applications, resume writing, and job interviews. An orientation
 segment touches upon the use of the different components included in this series. Lessons are written at a pre-GED level, and can help prepare adults for the GED tests. Four workbooks accompany the series.
 In 39 half-hour programs, the GED Connection helps learners prepare for the GED exam. Episodes cover subjects and skills related to work, community, and home life. Practice tests help learners know what to
 expect, see which skills they need to strengthen, and build confidence.
 
 Access to Workplace Essential Skills and GED Connection series through RI PBS video streaming is free. Users access VOD through an account and passcode, available by email request to
 Education@ RIpbs.org or by calling Education Services at 401-222-3636 x 211. Video streaming, also known as video on demand (VOD), allows users the convenience of watching lessons at any time
 from an Internet-connected computer. VOD is also flexible, allowing users to watch several episodes in one sitting, or repeat lessons as often as desired.

 Both the Workplace Essential Skills and the GED Connection series are also broadcast on RI PBS LEARN, digital 36.2 and Verizon 787. The Workplace Essential Skills broadcasts Fridays at
 12:30 PM and the GED Connection series broadcasts Mondays, Tuesdays, and Sundays at 12:30 PM.  For Workplace Essential Skills and the GED Connection broadcast dates 
 please visit: http://www.pbs.org/tvschedules/
For information about RIPBS Education Services please visit out web pages at http://www.ripbs.org/Education/
- Dr. María D. Velásquez de Tondreau Education Director Rhode Island PBS 50 Park Lane Providence, RI 02907 Phone: (401) 222-3636, ext. 211 Fax: (401) 222-3407 Education@RIpbs.org


 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/

outstanding resource: http://www.youthliteracy.ca/ - Youth Literacy work in Canada

Shannon Gavin, a senior graduating from Brown this year, has developed a new website, as her capstone project in Middle East Studies,  called Arab Perceptions of the United States:
Video Interviews from Amman, Jordan and Damascus, Syria.You can view them, and supporting text at  http://arabperceptions.wordpress.com


  The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) - The  U.S. Civics and Citizenship Online: Resource Center for Instructors is available online at:
 http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=b36e663784bcd010VgnVCM100000d1f1d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=b36e663784bcd010VgnVCM100000d1f1d6a1RCRD


  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.
 

  Living in Poverty slideshow does the math: what does it take to live at the poverty level.
  http://www.nccbuscc.org/cchd/povertyusa/tour2.htm

 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/training.htm

  NAASLN's Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference -  Access to the Workforce for Adult & Adolescent Learners with AD/HD and Asperger's Syndrome
  February 22–23 
 This regional conference will draw adult education practitioners, transition specialists, community college faculty, workforce counselors, disability advocates,
 and others from New York to Virginia.  The self-contained conference site and tight format lends itself to ample time for small-group discussions of how these
 breakthrough strategies apply to the evolving economy; issues affecting the new workforce; transition to postsecondary education and the workforce; advocacy
 issues and techniques; webinars; leadership options; and more.  The conference will feature three plenary sessions:  ADD and Entrepreneurism...A Curriculum that Works! 
 presented by Richard Cooper, Ph.D., Learning Specialist  Asperger’s Syndrome, Part I: The Adult Education Class  presented by Bevan Gibson, M.S. Sp. Ed., Director
 Southern Illinois Professional Development Center   Asperger’s Syndrome, Part II: Transitioning to Postsecondary Education presented by Melissa Arnott-Cox, Ed.D., L.P.C.,
 C.A.C., Director Academic Success Center, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ  Registration is limited to 70 overnight registrants and 80 day-only registrants.
 Full registration of $250 covers a day-and-a-half of sessions, overnight accommodations, all meals, and 24-hour access to a hospitality suite. 
 Day-only registration of $135 covers one day of sessions and two meals.
 For full session information, site description, accommodations, driving directions, or to register online, visit NAASLN at
 http://www.naasln.org/Regional_2009_conference.htm



 
 Self-Employment Is An Option Funding For This Project Made Possible By Rhode to Independence: Pathways to Self-Employment Project
- Thursday, March 12,  6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, J. Arthur Trudeau Memorial Center, 3445 Post Road, Warwick
 WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
 Consumers, Advocates, Employers, Employment Specialists, ORs Counselors, Parents, Support Coordinators, Teachers, Transition Specialists, Job Developers, job coaches…anyone interested in learning more about   self-employment as an option for people with disabilities
 KINDLY RSVP BY March 11- Judy Clark or Joanne Savoie 401-823-0051 ext. 310 or 401-823-0051 ext. 310  E-mail: jclark@trudeaucenter.org  or  jsavoie@trudeaucenter.org    
 PRESENTER:  
 David Hammis is the Executive Director for the Center for Social Capital, specializing in building communities of economic cooperation, creating high
 performance organizations, and focusing on disability and  employment.  David maintains an ongoing relationship with the Rural Institute at the University
 of Montana, where he served as Project Director for multiple self-employment, employment and Social Security outreach  training and technical assistance
 projects including the rural Institute’s Rural Entrepreneurship and Self-Employment expansion Design Project.  Dave works with organizations nationally
 and internationally on self-employment, benefits analysis, customized employment and employment engineering. Dave has worked in supported, customized
 and self-employment since 1988 and is personally responsible for the implementation of thousands of Plans for Achieving Self Support (PASS) leading to
 employment, self-employment, and enhanced personal resources for people with disabilities.  In July, 1996, Dave received the International Association for
 Persons in Supported Employment Professional of the Year Award for his Outstanding support and commitment to people with disabilities especially in the
 areas of Career Development and the use of Social Security Work Incentives.
 

 Sharing Skills – Building Connections, March 11, in Worcester - Commonwealth Workforce Coalition’s 6th annual conference. 
 http://cwc.cedac.org/


 Tom Brillat, formerly of the Education Exchange, currently serves as Executive Director of the League for the Advancement of New England Storytelling
 (LANES), which will hold its 28th annual conference in Rhode Island at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick from March 20-22.

 The conference is the Northeast Storytelling Conference (NESC) and known throughout the storytelling community as Sharing the Fire (STF). Tom is inviting
 his many friends and colleagues from adult education and beyond to join him at the conference. He swears that there is something for everyone: storytelling concerts
 by some of the best tellers in Rhode Island and New England, both Friday and Saturday evenings (just $10 each); great keynote speakers - Jay Allison of National
 Public Radio and Rhode Island˙s own - Valerie Tutson; workshops on storytelling in education, learning how to tell darn good stories, healing, community and
 culture, and much more. CEUs and PDPs are available for teachers and others. You can also join a story swap session and  tell your own stories or just listen.
 For more information about the conference please check the LANES website at http://www.lanes.org or contact Tom at director@lanes.org.
 



  MATSOL Annual Conference :  May 7-8, 2009 at the Sheraton Four Points in Leominster, MA. 
  The 2009 conference theme is Multiple Literacies: Launching English Language Learners into a New Era.  There will be a K-12 strand on both days and an
  Adult,  Workplace and Higher Education strand on Friday, May 8.  Our keynote speakers will be Stephen Krashen and Jim Cummins. 
  http://www.matsol.org

 COABE Conference 2009, Louisville, KY April 17-22
 Commission on Adult Basic Education (COABE), Kentucky Association of Adult & Continuing Education, and Kentucky Adult Education Council on Postsecondary Education
 are pleased to announce a Call for Proposals for the 2009 COABE national conference. . The goal of the Annual
 COABE National Conference is to provide best practices and program guidance to adult basic education professionals.
 http://www.coabeconference.org/

 For more information, contact: Lorena Lasky, COABE 2009 Concurrent Sessions Chairperson, Jefferson County Adult & Continuing Education
 Lorena.Lasky@kentuckianaworks.org  502-574-4123
 



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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