Narrative: f.

Missouri is strongly committed to helping local programs meet success in producing quality student outcomes based on core indicators of performance. MOAEL staff provides continuous monitoring, evaluation and assistance in activities that help improve outcomes, share resources, provides technical assistance and support, both directly and indirectly. Missouri Adult Education has a three component monitoring system for local programs to ensure the quality of providers of adult education and literacy activities under title II.

1. Desk Review – a monthly review of AEL grants/contracts that includes review of financial reports and program data. The data will include numbers served, testing data, performance data that includes testing, outcomes, persistence, progression, and enrollment data. Additionally, data quality and professional development are monitored. Based upon monthly reviews, technical assistance is provided to programs.

2. Self-Assessment – for a select number of districts/programs, a self-monitoring report will be submitted to the Department for review to determine compliance with grant/contract requirements.

3. On-site Monitoring – a select number of programs will be scheduled for an on-site review to ensure that state and federal guidelines are followed, review program performance, and provide ongoing technical assistance to support improvement and continued compliance. These reviews include assessment of the following areas:

a) Fiscal/program management and reporting b) Certification and professional development requirements c) Data entry and management d) Assessment procedures e) Intake and orientation processes f) Teaching/classroom observation g) Instruction h) Recruitment and retention i) Facilities j) Program policies k) Documentation requirements Corrective Action: If any of the monitoring components reveal areas of noncompliance, the local provider will be required to submit a corrective action plan with the Missouri Adult Education office. Ongoing technical assistance is provided by the state staff.

In addition to providing technical assistance through the review process, Missouri contracts with the University of Missouri, Columbia - Missouri Training Institute to provide high-quality professional development to improve Missouri’s adult education instruction.

Professional development is provided that: 1) Incorporates essential components of reading instruction as it relates to adults 2) Includes instruction related to the specific needs of the adult learner 3) Supports instruction provided by volunteers and paid teachers within the AE program 4) Provides dissemination of information about models and promising practices related to such programs.

Establishment of professional development offerings begins with a PD Advisory Committee that is comprised of AEL educators from programs throughout the state that work in cooperation with state AEL staff and the contracted PD provider, Missouri Training Institute. The role of the committee is to provide leadership in the development of PD across the state. PD offerings are developed based upon needs of the programs with a focus on improving instruction and programmatic practices. The goal of the PD program is to improve instruction (in accordance with local activities) in an effort to increase the success of student outcomes. Workshops are delivered through face-to-face and online trainings, videos, book clubs, and other of other PD opportunities.

MTI trainings focus on improving instruction provided pursuant to local activities required under section 231(b). This includes training in such areas as reading instruction, differentiated instruction that meets the needs of the adult learners, effective teaching strategies, program procedures/processes, etc. In an effort to establish a strong foundation of instruction, all new teachers are required at attend specific workshops for beginning teachers. Additionally, all teachers will be required to attend a workshop related using CCR standards to guide instruction.

Missouri regularly monitors/evaluates professional development to ensure the quality of information presented, the effects of PD on student outcomes, and overall effectiveness of PD staff and programs. This is done through the following:

1) Summary evaluations completed by participants at all trainings to measure the effectiveness of the PD, learning objectives and whether additional training is needed. 2) Pre and Post workshop activities for new teachers to measure whether learning objectives have been achieved and to determine whether continued training is needed. 3) Annual review of trainers may be conducted by State staff. MTI trainers are required to meet 80% mastery of the Instructional Observation requirements. 4) Period reviews of programs to observe execution of strategies/processes and knowledge acquired through professional development training. 5) Collection of student data to determine whether profession development training impact student outcomes.