Narrative: e. 1.

The Department of Workforce Development 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. Activities to be supported with federal leadership funds and extended using State funding include:

• The Department of Workforce Development will work collaboratively with other core programs to align and coordinate services for program participants. Leadership funds will be used to build the capacity of grantees to coordinate and align services by cross-training staff on intake/orientation, eligibility screening, and referral between partners, and other joint mechanisms developed through agency partnerships. In addition, the development of all components of career pathways will continue to be a priority with a focus on our WorkINdiana bridge programming and integrated education and training.
• DWD will continue to use funds to operate high quality professional development programs aimed at improving the instruction provided to adult learners. In PY16 DWD will post a Request for Proposals (RFP) Competition for professional development training design and delivery with services starting in January of 2017.The scope of work for this RFP will include:

o Intensive needs evaluation at local and regional levels

o Delivering Indiana’s Adult Numeracy Instruction training

o Locating/developing and delivering evidence based reading instruction training for instructional staff

o Locating/developing and delivery training train-the-trainer content for program administrators on Adult Learning Theory, Andragogy, Adult Learning Plans, & Teacher Induction/Onboarding

o Refining and delivering Indiana’s College and Career Readiness Standards Implementation training

o Refining and delivering Indiana’s ESL-4-ESL training focused on brain-based and problem-based learning for ELLs

o Refining the current model for Adult Education staff credentialing, and competencies, in partnership with local postsecondary institutions

All content developed and delivered through this RFP will include tracks specifically addressing the learning needs of volunteers within the IN AE system.

• In PY16 and beyond, DWD will utilize regional Adult Education Coordinators (AECs) to assist in developing professional development plans for local programs, in coordinating with the professional development vendor to communicate these needs, in connecting local programs with statewide initiatives that fit program professional development plans, and in designing local interventions to support local implementation of statewide activities or to address needs not met through statewide professional development. Local program professional development plans will be also be informed by the results of regular program monitoring and evaluation and the identification of proven and promising models and practices.
• Other professional development priorities include training on data reporting via our InTERS data management system, using data for improved classroom instruction, retention and other program improvement practices, training on Indiana Career Explorer, Indiana’s statewide tool for career exploration, and implementation of the Integrating Career Awareness into the ABE & ESOL Classroom (ICA) Curriculum Guide through online training delivered via LINCS and World Education. We will continue to follow up with local programs on implementation of the ICA curriculum in classrooms through PY16 and beyond as needed. We will also continue to run cohorts of staff through LINCS online courses which match any staff development needs identified through professional development evaluations and surveys. These online courses are combined with additional implementation activities, webinars, and online discussion forums to support application of the content covered.
• Annual events such as our Summer Institute and Director Meeting will continue to be used to for the dissemination of information about models and promising practices. For more information, please visit http://www.in.gov/dwd/2952.htm for a historical listing of all professional development events.
• DWD employs Adult Education Coordinators (AECs) who are responsible for providing adult education programs with technical assistance on a variety of topics. AECs work with local program leadership to build strong links between program and data monitoring, local and statewide professional development, and the delivery of technical assistance. AEC’s also act as a liaison between DWD Central office staff, the local One Stop Centers, local Vocational Rehabilitation services and the local Adult Education providers, ensuring consistent communication of policies, procedures and quality assurance.
• At the State Level, emphasis continues to be on strengthen and role modeling the partnership between AE and Youth Services, with continued join meetings. This past year, the Workforce Youth Team visited each region’s youth staff. Adult Education was represented at these meetings to assist facilitating discussions on how youth and AE providers can create strong local partnerships. It is noteworthy that in many regions a strong local partnership already occurs. Also at the State Level, AE is participating in monthly joint meetings between all Core Partners.
• The Department of Workforce Development will provide grantee oversight through program monitoring and evaluation and improvement of activities. This includes data monitoring, site visits, the sharing of evidence-based and promising practices, and a program improvement process for low-performing grantees. This will take place through our program quality team which includes central office staff and regional adult education coordinators.