Session 3

3:30 - 5 pm

Learning Disabilities & Related Disorders:  Updates, Options & Progressive Strategies

-   City Lights 1

Join Nancie for an advanced view of learning disabilities and progressive strategies that promote success. Learn the basics of a cogntive mapping approach to guide instructional techniques and foster positive student self-determination. Explore the relationships between Learning Disabilities and accompanying disorders, diversity, acceptance and disclosure, and accommodation -- a rendezvous of fact and function.

Nancie Payne          2.3.2, 5.6, 6.5, 6.10

Day To Day Program Advocacy   -   City Lights 2

Things programs can do on a day to day basis to help ensure that their message is in the eyes of the community and legistaive persons at all levels.  Ensuring that your program is representing itself in the community and to stakeholders is important to longevity, funding and growth.  Advocacy daily can assit with information, recruitment, retention and  building long term sustainability.

Barbara Sutton          3.1, 3.5, 3.6

Immigration 101 - Understanding A Bit About Your Immigrant Community Members

-   City Lights 3

This U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service presentation explains the agencies involved with immigrants, definitions of ‘legal status’, and how successful integration benefits everyone.  Naturalization eligibility, study tools, test redesign and USCIS updates affecting our community will be reviewed.  This session is an opportune time for networking.

Barbara Melton          3.5, 6.3, 7e.7

Everything You Wanted To Know About Being  An ESL Instructor   -   Lookout Mountain

This workshop is designed to support part of the LIA portfolio equivalency of EDU134, Teaching English as a Second Language to Adult Learners.  Attendees will re-affirm their foundational knowledge of ESL instruction.  Current themes in adult ESL instruction will be touched upon.

Sara Walke          7e.1, 10.8.1

Successful Partnerships In Family Literacy   -   Green Mountain

AEFLA-funded programs often recognize the value of adding Family Literacy to their services but are challenged in finding resources to pay for the children's component of the program.  In a panel format, numerous programs will share how they have formed successful partnerships with various entities across the state.

Debbie Butkus          2.3.14, 3.2.4, 8.1, 8.4, 8.6

English Language Learners In Libraries   -   Union Square Theater

Panel presentation about options to partner with libraries to offer English language learners' programs in a broad community setting, consisting of facility use, involvement of volunteers, computer and Internet training, conversation groups, foreign language collections, and formal classes.

Pilar Castro-Reino, Ghada Elturk, & Bonnie McCune          3.5

Linking Assessment To Learning   -   Mt. Vernon

It is not enough to simply assess adult learners.  It is important that test results are linked to the individual instruction of students.  In this session, participants will review the interpretation of test scores and learn how TABE Teacher's Guides contain supplementary classroom activities to enhance instruction in reading, language and mathematics.  (Vendor Session)

Paula Brown          4.1, 4.2, 4.6

Adult Students Online!   -   Genesee

This session will introduce instructors to McGraw Hill’s GED Online curriculum, which has been piloted and is beginning to be used in different programs in Colorado. It will also introduce participants to the state’s classroom management system (CMS), Moodle, which tracks student progress in segments developed and/or adapted by instructors.

Leecy Wise          9.1, 9.3, 9.8

Friday 3/14/08

Session 4

8:30-10 am

Creating Congressional Advocates   -   City Lights 1

This session will focus on updating participants on legislation affecting adult education pending before the U. S. Congress.  It will describe the need for educating members of Congress and the Senate on the value of adult education and advocating for the program from the grassroots level.

Lynn Selmser

Adult Education-ESL Meets Workforce Development:  Cross-Training To Serve English Language Learners.  A Roundtable Discussion   -   City Lights 2

This roundtable discussion will explore ways that Adult ESL programs and workforce programs can collaborate to address workforce issues facing English language learners.  In light of the goals of Adult ESL instructors, workforce staff, and businesses, how can we work together to transition the English language learner successfully into the workforce?  (This workshop will continue into Session 5.)

Colorado Workforce Speaks! Taskforce      2.3.10, 3.2.5, 4.5, 6.3

Ready For College—Colorado Success Unlimited (SUN) Program   -   City Lights 3

This session will focus on the Ready for College-Colorado SUN project, recently funded by OVAE.  Attendees will participate in a discussion of the project, which is designed to strengthen transition processes between GED completion and community college, including a strong emphasis on the skills needed to succeed in college-level coursework.

Elaine Baker & Kendra Rodriguez          2.3.6

Learning How To Learn And SHOWING It!   -   Lookout Mountain

Many ESL, ABE and GED learners enter adult education programs with instability in their educational foundation.  In this interactive session we will explore independent study and test taking skills and strategies and how learners can use them to increase their learning success.  This will result in the strengthening of learners’ foundations.

Jessie Hawthorn          2.3.3, 2.3.16, 2.3.17, 4.4, 6.7

ESL Literacy Instruction:  Research, Methods And Textbooks   -   Green Mountain

How do we identify and best instruct Literacy Level ESL students?  Participants will learn some methods and processes that use a balanced literacy approach that incorporates whole language principles and phonemic awareness in meaningful context.  They will gain knowledge and practice as they review and evaluate several Literacy textbooks.

Connie Davis & Kathy Santopietro Weddel          7e.2, 7e.4.2, 7e.5.3, 7e.5.4

Using Data For Program Improvement   -   Union Square Theater

The session will show how a program’s data can assist program managers in making decisions that enhance program improvement and success.  The session will discuss how data should be collected and then looked at on a continual basis.

Barbara Sutton          3.4, 4.6

Hey Teacher, It's Not About You!   -   Mt. Vernon

Take a learner-centered approach to your ESL curriculum!  Participants will be involved in classroom simulation activities demonstrating shifting the focus of presentation from teacher to learner.  Participants will leave with ideas that work with any curriculum to transform a familiar adult ESL lesson into a more involving and learner-centered lesson.

Ardith Loustalet          2.1, 2.3.4, 2.3.5, 2.3.17, 6.7

Professional Development On Your Terms From Home   -   Genesee

Are you eager to expand your knowledge about teaching adults but don’t want to leave home and family to attend conferences?  Come experience the bounty of PD at national, inter-state and Colorado levels – all available without leaving your driveway.  We’ll discuss self-study web resources, videos, on-line courses and research articles.

Jane Miller          10.3, 10.4, 10.5

Session 5

10:30 am – 12 pm

Working Effectively With Adults With Learning Disabilities   -   City Lights 1

The presenters will explain differences between learning difficulties and disabilities, define LDs from a clinical and legal perspective, show a brief video clip, summarize key points from three federal laws, review the rights and responsibilities of literacy programs and learners, and discuss screening options and instruction, and view informal and state-approved accommodations guidelines. 

Paulette Church & Stephanie Moran          2.3.2, 4.3, 5.2, 6.10

Adult Education-ESL Meets Workforce Development:  Cross-Training To Serve English Language Learners.  A Roundtable Discussion   -   City Lights 2  (Continued from Session 4)

Rubric To The Rescue   -   City Lights 3

Adult learners want and need to improve their writing skills, even before they qualify for the "writing class."  Take a detailed look at the CASAS Functional Writing Assessment rubric scoring categories and then take home some easy strategies to incorporate writing skill improvement into your existing lesson plans.

Ardith Loustalet          4.6, 7e.5.4

Literacy Instruction Authorization For The Experienced Instructor:

Strategies To Make Your Life Easier   -   Lookout Mountain

Experienced instructors in adult education have all the makings for the perfect LIA Portfolio applicant; however, many do not know the best and easiest way to get all of that expertise down on paper.  This session is designed for adult education instructors who have at least 720 hours of adult education experience in the past 10 years and who are interested in learning how to conquer the portfolio process. 

Paula Buffington          7a., 7e.1, 10.8.1

Let Your Students Do The Talking   -   Green Mountain

Interviewing students makes them feel that their stories are significant, fostering the belief that someone cares about their immigration experience and appreciates the obstacles they struggle to overcome in their pursuit of the American dream.  Sensing their teachers’ compassion promotes self-confidence in students, providing the impetus for learner persistence.

Judy Geringer          2.3.5, 2.3.7, 5.3, 6.3, 9.6

Transformation Of The Learning Environment   -   Union Square Theater

This highly interactive workshop examines the benefits of creating a student-centered learning environment while embracing life-preparing traits and behaviors as part of daily classroom management. Workshop activities introduce immediate, tangible solutions for increasing student personal responsibility, self-management, desire for interdependence, and life-long learning.

Robert Lashier          2.1, 2.3.5, 2.3.17, 4.5, 5.7, 6.7

Be The Catalyst:  How To Get Students Referred To Your Program To Enroll and Begin Instruction   -   Mt. Vernon

Learn how to become a catalyst for enrolling more prospective students by improving your program’s referral process and your community’s referral network and system.  Discover field-tested strategies for making your program’s referral process more efficient and effective.   Be inspired to create a more cohesive community of providers that connects students with services.

Kathy  St. John          2.3.11, 3.1, 3.5, 3.6

Beyond the Now Part 2:  Learning Hands-On to Build a Personal Life Success Plan

-   Genesee  

Participants will be given a copy of the "Running Start" software and coached hands-on to create a personal life plan.  Workshop components include a demonstration of the software, coaching in performing and facilitating the process, and a brief survey.  (This workshop will continue into Session 6)     Richard Hoskin, Karen Bowen, & Betty Wilson          2.3.4, 2.3.10, 2.3.15, 2.3.17, 4.5

Session 6

1:30-3 pm

Retention & Transitions: From ESL To ABE, ABE To ASE, And ASE To Post-Secondary Life   -   City Lights 1

St. Vrain Valley Adult Education is piloting a program to support students under age 21 who are transitioning from ESL to ABE, ABE to ASE, and from ASE to post-graduation activities such as attending college, entering the workforce, and entering the military. The program also focuses on student retention.          2.3.4, 2.3.6, 2.3.11, 2.3.15, 7e.6

Rebecca Booterbaugh, Mary Willoughby, Ardith Loustalet, Marcia Bettger, Charlotte Garlock

The Neglected R—Practical Tips For Teaching Writing   -   City Lights 2

Come to this workshop to learn why writing is so important! You will get a brief "taste" for research on how people learn to write and receive practical tips, worksheets and graphical organizers. Marilyn Gillespie has taught, published and presented on teaching writing around the U.S.

**Marilyn Gilespie (Full bio after Session Descriptions)          7a.3.2, 7e.5.4

The TABE Applied Math Test And Students’ Part/Whole Thinking: What Can The Test Tell Us?   -   City Lights 3

Participants will discuss preliminary results from a teacher-led research project that used TABE Applied Math questions to help identify students who lacked the concept of Part/Whole coexistence. Participants will learn how to apply this information to make their math teaching more effective.

Dorothea Steinke          4.6, 5.2, 6.7, 7a.2.2, 7a.3.1

Ventures:  Paving The Way To Success With Learner Persistence   -   Lookout Mountain

Three strategies from Comings' research on learner persistence apply to ESL curriculum:  safety, community and self-efficacy.  Ways to make students feel safe in the classroom, building a classroom community and providing students with the opportunity to be successful will be presented.  Participants will experience presentation, discussion and hands-on activities with Ventures examples.

(Vendor Session)

Mary Louise Baez          2.3.11, 2.3.17, 6.1

Restructuring The Correctional Classroom: Making The Best Of What’s Bad

-   Green Mountain

Against many expectations, correctional institutions often provide optimal conditions for student advancement and pedagogical enterprise—plus maybe the toughest constraints for learning. Given a population with high illiteracy rates/job deficiency, Corrections educators face both the incarceration system and student behavioral maladies. We’ll collaborate on contexts, paradigm tools, and best practices, to transform "hard labor" into "goodtime."

Scott Baker          2.3.10, 2.3.17, 3.2.6, 4.5, 6.7

Adult Education 101: An Introduction And Overview   -   Union Square Theater

This session assembles the varied pieces of the adult education jigsaw puzzle into a finished picture.  We’ll explain the history, structure, funding sources, grant process, types of service providers, and teacher resources that constitute adult education at the federal, state, and local levels.  We’ll simplify the complexities and untangle the acronyms.

Debra Fawcett & Jane Miller          3.2, 3.3

The Student Learning Tool   -   Mt. Vernon

Workshop participants will be introduced to “The Student Learning Tool.” This computer based program was designed by a GED/ABE instructor to assist in assigning and monitoring lessons along with tracking and reporting a student’s progress. “The Student Learning Tool” is easy to use and adaptable to most classroom environments.

Joseph Hesslink          2.3.5, 2.3.10, 4.5, 5.2, 9.3 

Beyond The "Now": Learning Hands-On To Build A Personal Life Success Plan - Part 2

-   Genesee  (Continued from Session 5)