Narrative: e. 1.

Missouri will use funds made available under section 222(a)(2) to enhance the quality of programming in the adult education system. Not more than 12.5 percent of the grant funds made available will be used to carry out State Leadership activities under section 223. Missouri conducts the following State Leadership activities:

1. Missouri works collaboratively with the other core programs and partner agencies to align and coordinate services for program participants. Training at the state level and local level has been and will continue to take place to cross-train staff to develop an understanding of intake/orientation, eligibility screening, referral between partners, and program services and activities. In addition, the development of all components of career pathways will continue to be a priority with the focus on preparing students for careers in in-demand occupations (sector strategies). 2. Missouri has a statewide Adult Education professional development (PD) advisory committee. The committee meets as needed to identify future PD needs, develop PD plans and resources, identify and implement best practices in PD, coordinate PD activities, and review PD workshops as they are being developed to ensure it meets the needs of our teachers. The PD advisory committee has approximately 15 members including adult education local staff, PD provider (Missouri Training Institute), and state staff. The members of the PD advisory committee seek input from all teachers and all local adult education directors to determine appropriate PD needs. The PD committee prioritizes PD requests and determines what PD is to be developed each year and offered each year. The PD committee also takes into account new federal requirements and state requirements to determine PD needs and PD development. All PD workshops developed by the state’s PD provider incorporate College and Career Readiness standards. In addition, the state agency provides PD twice per year on various topics such as new federal requirements, (integrated education and training, quality referrals, partnering), data quality management, fiscal accountability, effective instruction strategies, assessment, serving students with disabilities, transition to post-secondary, etc. At least twice a year, local program staff has an opportunity to share best practices with their peers. 3. The state agency provides technical assistance to programs. Specific areas of focus include: a. Aligning adult education and literacy activities with other core programs and one-stop partners, and the development of career pathways to provide access to employment and training services for individuals in adult education and literacy activities. b. Improving instruction by incorporating the following in the classroom: i. the essential components of reading instruction ii. college and career readiness iii. active instruction (as opposed to study hall type classroom) iv. multiple learning strategies used to provide differentiated instruction v. tiered instruction that includes: whole group, small group, guided practice, and independent learning c. The development and dissemination of instructional practices in reading, writing, speaking, mathematics, English language acquisition programs, and distance education. d. The role of one-stop partners to provide access to employment, education, and training services. e. The use of MIS data reports and the use of the MIS data system. 4. The State provides oversight to grantees and/or contractors including data reviews, on-site visits, and a program improvement process for programs with deficiencies.