Produced: Jul 31, 2024, 09:46 PM UTC - By Kathryn Mitchell
2024-25
Plans & Goals
- Executive Summary
The consortium's primary focus for the upcoming year will be centered around expanding and reopening all programs and implementing strategies to increase transitional enrollment. Efforts are underway to expand the availability of ASE classes across the region and enhance the range of CTE offerings. Ensuring a safe and responsible learning environment is of utmost importance, while also addressing any barriers that prevent students from attending school for extended periods.
To achieve these objectives, the consortium has outlined the following action points for their plan:
AVAERC will work toward the adoption of a new student information system to ensure reporting is accurate and systems are efficient.
AVAERC will continue to leverage the online registration system, streamlining the enrollment process.
AVAERC will execute a specialized marketing plan for Adult Education, aimed at raising community awareness about the available programs.
AVAERC will upgrade technology as required across all programs, facilitating student access to the curriculum.
AVAERC will forge partnerships with regional agencies, to expand educational opportunities to a larger number of community members.
AVAERC will invest in upgrading the existing AVUHSD facilities, creating safe, secure, and high-quality learning environments.
AVAERC will incorporate a detailed planning process to identify, develop, and enhance CTE offerings, ensuring they meet current industry standards and community needs.
Each of these initiatives directly aligns with the objectives outlined in the consortium's three-year plan.
- Regional Planning Overview
The consortium is dedicated to advancing the goals outlined in its three-year plan. Antelope Valley Adult Education has received a six-year WASC Accreditation and will undergo a comprehensive review in the 2026-2027 school year. This self-study process identifies strengths and areas for improvement, aligning them with the action items in the three-year plan.
Additionally, the consortium is actively building partnerships with community and state organizations to support the plan's implementation. These partnerships aim to raise awareness about adult education programs and establish relationships that provide future apprenticeship opportunities. Programs will continue to be listed on I-Train to facilitate student referrals and enhance collaboration with community partners.
The AVAERC regularly assesses regional needs and devises strategies to meet them effectively, ensuring responsiveness to the community's evolving requirements.
Meeting Regional Needs
Regional Need #1
- Gaps in Service / Regional Needs
Gaps in Career Training Programs
Identified Need: Increase in low-cost career training program offerings.
- How do you know? What resources did you use to identify these gaps?
The need for increased low-cost career training program offerings was initially identified during community forums held while developing the original Adult Education consortium plan. These forums gathered input from community members who highlighted areas requiring attention and expressed their priorities for the region. A recurring and overwhelming concern was the lack of adult Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. Over the years, addressing this issue has consistently remained the region's top priority.
Further validation of this need came from local partners such as AJCC (America's Job Centers of California), GAIN (Greater Avenues for Independence), and DOR (Department of Rehabilitation), who have also acknowledged the demand for more career training opportunities for their participants.
To ensure a comprehensive understanding of the regional needs, we also utilized regional and state labor market data. Credible sources of labor market data include:
- California Employment Development Department (EDD): Provides detailed labor market information and analysis for various regions within California.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): Offers extensive data on employment, wages, and industry projections.
- California Community Colleges Centers of Excellence: Delivers industry reports and labor market information tailored to community college regions.
- AV Edge Roundtable Report 2023: Offers specific insights and data relevant to the Antelope Valley region.
According to the AV Edge 2023 Roundtable Report, approximately 14% or around 75,000 adult learners in the region lack a high school diploma or equivalency, along with additional training requirements. As a result, addressing this gap and expanding adult CTE programs will remain a top priority moving forward, in order to meet the needs and aspirations of the community.
- How will you measure effectiveness / progress towards meeting this need?
Success will be measured by:
- Introduction and access to new programs.
- Increased overall enrollment in CTE programs.
- Programs where students can earn certifications and stackable certifications.
- Students gaining employment and/or apprenticeships.
Regional Need #2
- Gaps in Service / Regional Needs
Expansion of ASE programs.
- How do you know? What resources did you use to identify these gaps?
AV Edge 2023 Round Table Report indicating approximately 14% of the region's adult learners lack a high school diploma or equivalency.
- How will you measure effectiveness / progress towards meeting this need?
Effectiveness will be measured by:
- Number of courses offered across the region.
- Number of enrolled students.
- Credits earned toward a diploma.
- Equivalency exams passed.
- Total graduates from Antelope Valley Adult Education.
- Decrease in number of stop-outs.
Regional Need #3
- Gaps in Service / Regional Needs
Increase in ESL program offerings. Specifically creating a writing course for advanced EL students and an IET program.
- How do you know? What resources did you use to identify these gaps?
AV Edge 2023 Round Table Report indicating 30.59% of community members do not speak English as their primary language. Among surveyed students in our advanced ESL programs, the believe there to be a gap in their writing skills.
- How will you measure effectiveness / progress towards meeting this need?
Effectiveness will be measured by:
- Number of courses offered.
- Number of enrolled students.
- Gains earned.
- Program completions.
- Transitions to CTE, IET enrollment, or higher education programs.
Address Educational Needs
2024-25 Strategies
Professional Growth
Activity that Applies to this Strategy
Comprehensive Career and Education Planning
Metrics that Apply to this Activity/Strategy
- All: Adults who Became Participants (AE 202 - Overall)
Professional development will be offered to all personnel, ensuring they are current on policy, procedures, curriculum, and adult learning trends. Professional Learning Communities and student-free days will be utilized for professional growth, data collection, analysis, and program planning.
Delivery of Instruction and Assessments
Activity that Applies to this Strategy
Comprehensive Career and Education Planning
Metrics that Apply to this Activity/Strategy
- All: Adults who Became Participants (AE 202 - Overall)
To meet the strategy of delivering instruction and assessments effectively, the consortium will increase distance learning components to overcome travel barriers faced by many students as well as open up additional lab time for students. This approach will provide ample opportunities for students to access the curriculum and interact with instructors remotely or in person across all campuses, ensuring that geographic limitations do not impede their educational progress. Additionally, the consortium will implement extended hours on weekends for the testing center, and provide two testing center locations, accommodating those who may have restrictive schedules. Remote testing options will also be used as needed, offering greater flexibility and convenience for students to complete their assessments. These measures will ensure that instruction and assessments are accessible and supportive of all students' needs, promoting higher engagement and success rates across the board.
Access to Curriculum and Data Collection
Activity that Applies to this Strategy
Comprehensive Career and Education Planning
Metrics that Apply to this Activity/Strategy
- All: Adults who Became Participants (AE 202 - Overall)
Albeit a slow process in development, we aim to introduce and implement a new student information system. The new system will create an unlimited number of students who can register at a time, and have ease of data collection and reporting. In turn, the decreased time in our enrollment process will allow student to gain access to the curriculum quicker and assist in teaching students to manage their learning.
Improve Integration of Services & Transitions
2024-25 Strategies
Strategy 1- Technology & Safe/Secure Learning Enviornment
Activity that Applies to this Strategy
Comprehensive Career and Education Planning
Metrics that Apply to this Activity/Strategy
- All: Adults who Became Participants (AE 202 - Overall)
All programs offered by the consortium are equipped with a robust technology foundation, enabling students to access the curriculum and connect with instructors and counselors from home or school. We will continue to upgrade technology as equipment becomes obsolete or software/hardware requires updates to meet our students' evolving needs. Additionally, facilities will be enhanced to ensure a safe and secure learning environment, complete with the necessary equipment and resources to support student success.
Strategy 2: Professional Growth
Activity that Applies to this Strategy
Comprehensive Career and Education Planning
Metrics that Apply to this Activity/Strategy
- All: Adults who Became Participants (AE 202 - Overall)
All personnel are being offered professional development tailored to Adult Education, ensuring they stay up-to-date on policies, procedures, curriculum, and trends in adult learning. We have established a professional growth calendar for scheduled meetings, including Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) for each program: HSD/HSE, EL, counseling, and the student support services team. Additionally, three student-free days are scheduled specifically for instructors to focus on professional growth and development, data collection and analysis, and program planning. These sessions will also cover strategies to enhance and develop high-quality programs and services.
Strategy 3: Delivery of Instruction & Assessments
Activity that Applies to this Strategy
Comprehensive Career and Education Planning
Metrics that Apply to this Activity/Strategy
- All: Adults who Became Participants (AE 202 - Overall)
In our community, travel is a significant barrier to students achieving their educational and career goals. To address this, we are increasing the availability of distance learning components to meet the needs of our region. All programs now offer opportunities for students to access the curriculum and interact with instructors through distance learning. Additionally, we have extended testing center hours on Saturdays and across two campuses to better serve our community. To further enhance accessibility, we have implemented remote testing, providing more options for online assessments.
Improve Effectiveness of Services
2024-25 Strategies
Strategy 1: Access to Student Support Team
Activity that Applies to this Strategy
Comprehensive Career and Education Planning
Metrics that Apply to this Activity/Strategy
- All: Adults who Became Participants (AE 202 - Overall)
Every division within Adult Education has now implemented a system that allows students to schedule virtual meetings, offering face-to-face interaction in addition to in-person or phone conversations. This expanded accessibility fosters a positive school environment and strengthens the connection between students and Adult Education, ultimately contributing to their overall success.
Strategy 2: Goal Meetings
Activity that Applies to this Strategy
Comprehensive Career and Education Planning
Metrics that Apply to this Activity/Strategy
- All: Adults who Became Participants (AE 202 - Overall)
To ensure the success of every student, instructor-led goal meetings are held to address various aspects of their educational journey. A key topic in these meetings is the opportunity for students to dual-enroll or pursue further education upon completing their program, especially within our Career Technical Education programs. Throughout the year, we will expand our course offerings, providing more opportunities for students to seamlessly transition and explore new pathways.
Strategy 3: Build relationships
Activity that Applies to this Strategy
Comprehensive Career and Education Planning
Metrics that Apply to this Activity/Strategy
- All: Adults who Became Participants (AE 202 - Overall)
The consortium actively seeks to establish strong relationships with a range of local, regional, and state partners. These partnerships are leveraged to enhance awareness, boost enrollment, and create new opportunities for our students. By collaborating closely with these partners, we aim to create a supportive network that empowers our students and maximizes their educational prospects. Additionally, it is crucial for teachers to build strong relationships with their students to motivate them and assist with student retention. These connections help create a positive and encouraging learning environment, fostering student success and persistence.
Strategy 4: Multi-Tiered Systems of Support
Activity that Applies to this Strategy
Comprehensive Career and Education Planning
Metrics that Apply to this Activity/Strategy
- All: Adults who Became Participants (AE 202 - Overall)
To enhance the effectiveness of our programs, we will leverage tools such as Blackboard and other communication platforms. Additionally, we will implement a multi-tiered system of support along with a dedicated student support team. These additional measures are designed to accelerate program completion, reduce student dropouts due to non-attendance, and improve overall program retention rates. By providing comprehensive support, we aim to ensure that our students receive the assistance they need to succeed and thrive in all our programs.
Strategy 5: Data Analysis & Trends
Activity that Applies to this Strategy
Comprehensive Career and Education Planning
Metrics that Apply to this Activity/Strategy
- All: Adults who Became Participants (AE 202 - Overall)
We will continually analyze and interpret data across all divisions and programs, conducting a thorough examination of current labor trends at regional, state, and national levels as well as use of historical school-wide data. By staying informed about the changing employment landscape, we can ensure that our services align with the job market's needs, ultimately enhancing our ability to support our students in achieving their career goals.
Strategy 6: Professional Growth
Activity that Applies to this Strategy
Comprehensive Career and Education Planning
Metrics that Apply to this Activity/Strategy
- All: Adults who Became Participants (AE 202 - Overall)
To foster professional growth and development, all staff members will be offered the opportunity to participate in professional development sessions organized by AE (Adult Education), AVUHSD (Antelope Valley Union High School District), as well as various regional and state-level organizations. Additionally, they will have the chance to attend conferences, enabling them to learn and share best practices with their peers. Furthermore, every teacher will be required to create a personalized professional growth plan, highlighting their specific areas for growth and outlining actionable steps to facilitate their development. These plans will be reviewed and discussed with their evaluator, ensuring ongoing support and alignment with individual growth objectives.
Fiscal Management
- A narrative justifying how the planned allocations are consistent with the annual adult education plan which is based on your CAEP 3-year plan.
AVAERC is committed to serving a diverse array of community members in our region. Our main objectives are to raise awareness, boost enrollment, expand program offerings, and improve student retention. To accomplish these goals, we will launch targeted marketing campaigns throughout the area. We will also create and introduce new programs in appropriate facilities while investing in upgrades to ensure a safe and secure learning environment for our students.
- An approach to incorporating remaining carry-over funds from prior year(s) into strategies planned for 2024-25.
To achieve our objectives, the consortium will strategically utilize carry-over funds to enhance all facets of our adult education programs. These funds will be allocated to various initiatives, including the acquisition of a new facility, and upgrades to existing facilities for safety to better serve and support our students. Additionally, we will invest in marketing efforts to attract new students to both emerging and established programs. Some expenditures will be one-time investments, such as constructing a new building that meets regional needs and supports workforce development in line with industry standards. By thoughtfully deploying these funds, we can strengthen our programs, address the evolving needs of our community, and promote sustained growth for years to come.
Certification
Antelope Valley CCD - Member Representative
Kathryn Mitchell - Dean Arts & Humanities
- kmitchell18@avc.edu
Antelope Valley Union High - Member Representative
Brandy Berryman - Accounting Analyst
- bberryman@avhsd.org
- (661) 483-2309
Jo Morgan-Kim - Regional Director College/Career Prep & Adult Education
- jokim@avhsd.org
- (661) 483-2302