Narrative: b.

Currently in Missouri, all programs are expected to provide, adult education, literacy, integrated education and training and workforce preparation activities.  Workplace adult education and literacy activities are provided when appropriate.  English language acquisition activities are currently offered by most programs; it depends on the need of the local area.  IEL/CE activities are provided by 3 local programs. 

Missouri Adult Education uses the considerations specified in section 231(e) of WIOA when creating local provider bid specifications.  Each local provider application is required to respond to each consideration, and the responses will be evaluated and scored prior to awarding local provider grants and/or contracts.  Each applicant must commit to providing one or more of the Adult Education and Literacy Activities (Section 203 of WIOA). 

During the application process, local program applicants will describe which services they plan to provide and will be expected to describe how they meet each of the considerations for the activities they plan to provide.  Each activity will be defined in the Invitation for Bid as described in Section 203 of the Act.  Below is the list of services (local activities) with further explanation below the list:

1. Adult education
2. Literacy
3. Workplace adult education and literacy activities
4. Family Literacy Activities – do not plan to offer at this time (see explanation below)
5. English language acquisition activities
6. Integrated English literacy and civics education – currently fund 3 local programs
7. Workforce preparation activities
8. Integrated education and training

Missouri has been working to increase the number of students who transition to post-secondary and employment.  Each local program has dedicated staff to assist with transition to post-secondary and employment and to assist in getting appropriate students enrolled in Title I through the Job Center. 

All programs are to integrate workforce preparation activities into all adult education, literacy, and English language acquisition activities.  Depending on the local area, the workforce preparation activities may be provided by Title I with Title II students attending.  In other areas, the workforce preparation activities are offered by the Adult Education provider.  The Job Centers may refer Title I students to Adult Education to receive these activities.  In this scenario, Title I would pay for these services for non-eligible Title II students. 

All adult education, literacy, and English language acquisition activities are required to be based upon the CCR standards.  Local providers are required to incorporate CCR standards into their instruction.  Local providers are required to participate in professional development related to CCR standards.  Our monitoring includes reviewing professional development activities attended by teachers related to CCR standards. 

Missouri currently funds 3 local programs (and plans to continue to fund approximately that number) that offer Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education (IEL/CE).  Workforce preparation activities are to be provided to IEL/CE students.  Once the IEL/CE students’ English skills are at a level where they can be successful, after also receiving workforce preparation activities, it is expected that those seeking employment or post-secondary be referred to Title I services or referred directly to employment or post-secondary.     The English Language Acquisition component of IEL/CE is required to be aligned with CCR standards.  Local providers must have curriculum and instructional materials that are used for the civics component which must, at a minimum, include instruction on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and civic participation.  The civics educational component must also include basic instruction in US history and workforce preparation activities and align to OCTAE’s Employability Skills framework.  The local provider must have instructional materials that will align to the Employability Skills Framework.  

Missouri local programs will make career pathways activities available to appropriate students.  There are two targeted methods of providing these services.  Integrated education and training will be provided concurrently with adult education, literacy and English language acquisition activities.   Workforce preparation activities will be provided concurrently with adult education, literacy and English acquisition activities.  Each local program will work closely with their local workforce board to create career pathways based on Sector Strategies which are guided by industry and demand occupations in the area.  All local partners are to work together to align and create pathways to meet the needs of the customers with the ultimate goal of employment in a “demand occupation”.  Contextualized learning is to be used in the instruction of the adult education and English acquisition activities.  The contextualized curriculum and materials used is to be based on the chosen sector strategies of the region so that Title II is aligned with the other partners in the local region.  Eligible providers will be required to describe how they plan to meet these requirements in their application.  Title II will partner with Title I, when appropriate, to provide the “workforce training” piece of integrated education in training.  Title II funds in Missouri are not to be used to pay tuition for the skill training component.  In some local regions, Title II will also partner with Title I to provide the workforce preparation activities.    

In Missouri workplace adult education and literacy activities are offered on rare occasions.  If, however, there is a need in the area, local programs have and will continue to provide these services to meet the needs of an employer.  These activities are offered concurrently with adult education and literacy and English language acquisition activities.   

Because of limited funds, at this time, Missouri does not plan to provide Family Literacy activities using Title II funds.  Local programs will attempt to coordinate with other services and funding to meet this need.