Workplace Adult Basic Education Program

(WABE)

Kay Hartley, Principal

Maureen Talbot, WABE Teacher

CASAS Pilot

Leadership Team reviewed persistence and

completion rate data

Research: Welfare to Work Studies showed that classes that blended workplace skills with academic skills were the most effective.

Research: Adults learn better when they can see the relevance to their own lives

Leadership Team expanded program to include Technology to meet the 21st Century Skills demand

Teachers were already so busy – how can we do one more thing???

Modifying curriculum instead of adding curriculum

Additional classes for technology and soft skills

List of skills that we felt students needed to master in order to be successful

Added classes specializing in soft skills and technology

Emphasis on using technology in the classroom

Workplace related curriculum

LRI Curriculum Authentic Materials Aztec Software Textbooks – Downtown,

Workplace Math E-portfolio

Having workplace skills in English and math classes showed the students that it was relevant to their lives and they were still working towards HSD

Soft Skills class was slow to start but is now one of the favorite classes

Soft Skills is offered as an elective class now but we hope to make it a graduation requirement

WABE Level I and Level II Check off list

Students assessed in class or one on one

WABE English and Math Challenge Moodle

CASAS Testing

WABE Check off Sheet given to students

Zoho and Engrade – online tracking systems

Teachers track students

Data An informal study shows

positive trends in persistence and completion rates

Student Survey A student survey looking at the students’ perception of the success of the program and its effects on their self-esteem and confidence was provided to WABE students who had completed at least one quarter of the program. Twenty six students responded to the survey.

88% reported that the quality of instruction was improved when teachers used technology in the classroom

69.2 % stated that their own technology skills had improved since starting the program.

100% reported increased motivation to attend school

92.3 % reported feeling more confident in their skills after participating in the program.

100% reported an increase in their self-esteem.

When queried about the workplace curriculum and its effect on the students’ performance:

86 % reported that they felt that the inclusion of the WABE curriculum

increased persistence in their class

71 %perceived that the implemented curriculum increased student motivation.

Teacher liaison to employers “One chance” rule Soft Skills Emphasis What do we do when there are no

jobs?

WASC Accreditation Visit team listed our WABE Program as something special about our school

Expand the program More marketing Coordinator