Narrative: f.

LWD provides Technical Assistance to all program providers through monitoring and corrective action, Report Cards detailing program performance year to date as it pertains to their goals, monthly data quality review, and targeted trainings to review data for accuracy and to find missing details.

The State continues other activities funded under 223 allocations. LWD believes in and is committed to high-quality professional development, which includes the many facets of adult education. In Program Year 2016, LWD developed a comprehensive collaboration with the Rutgers University Graduate School of Education, to build and maintain professional development leadership with directors and instructional leaders of Title II programs statewide. The Professional Development Leadership Initiative (PDLI) included participants from each of New Jersey’s 17 literacy provider consortia. The goal of the PDLI was to increase capacity among leaders from New Jersey’s state Title II agencies and lead instructors from Title II agencies, to broker and/or facilitate high quality professional development. The longer term goal is to lay the groundwork for the development of a state professional development system.

The LWD Office of Adult Literacy Services will continue to provide technical assistance specific to system alignment, role of eligible providers, and dissemination of instructional practice. Additionally, the Office of Adult Literacy Services will provide all monitoring and evaluation of program performance. New Jersey is proud of the fact that we have seen almost a doubling of our outcome performance standards in the last four years. We have worked to not only educate providers to the expected outcomes, but also provided forums for best practices in program operations, to assist providers in achieving better outcomes. All performance is tracked in our LACES database using a dashboard from a statewide perspective, as well as from an individual program level. Each program year, literacy provider grantees are provided a report card by LWD, detailing strengths and weaknesses in achieving mandated performance standards. The LWD Office of Adult Literacy Services is committed to serving the diverse student population throughout the state. LWD is continuing its work to ensure that program activities are integrated with the local workforce development system. To that end, strategic partnerships between local Workforce Development Boards and local literacy providers, through guided statewide efforts, will be an ongoing part of the literacy landscape in New Jersey.

Current professional development efforts include an analysis of quality professional development needs and a road map for future planning. These efforts include a four phase implementation plan which will build capacity and leadership skills as they relate to professional development. Additionally, College and Career Readiness Standards will be implemented through professional development workshops and reinforced through staff supported services. The Department has added four additional staff whose expertise lie in education and curriculum development. The State has established “Best Practice Committees” to facilitate and drive continuous improvement.