Produced: Aug 22, 2024, 09:51 PM UTC - By Ken Lippi
2024-25
Plans & Goals
- Executive Summary
Marin Adult Education Program Consortium will focus on: HSD/HSE attainment (with special emphasis on Newcomer Students in San Rafael), ESL, CTE, and parent/child success programs. Many students continue to benefit from distance and hyflex instruction. In-person, hyflex, and distance instruction continue to be implemented. CTE instruction continues in the fields of healthcare, construction, and finance. MAEP is implementing a special emphasis on ELL instruction and support in the healthcare CTE pathways. ESL classes continue to have waitlists and personnel have been hired to increase enrollment opportunities. Student transitions are supported through the COM-funded position of a bilingual transition specialist counselor who meets with students at agency sites
In the 23-24 school year, the Marin Consortium:
Provided technology education to 130 students via Tech 4 Life
Provided ESL instruction to 2169 students
Provided ABE instruction to 226 students
Granted High School Diplomas or Equivalency to 23 students
Provided CTE / Pre-Apprenticeship instruction to 123 students
Primary goals for this year are to:
Increase access to adult education programs for underserved adult learners in Marin County Increase enrollment in ESL programs by hiring more staff and offering distance,
in-person, and hyflex models to meet the needs of students.Increase ease of access to Diploma programs and to provide ESL and ABE instruction programs for SIFE students.
Grow partnerships with professional organizations in the fields of healthcare and construction in order to provide pathways to careers with livable wages in Marin County
Further foster relationship with our Job Center of California, the Workforce Alliance of the North Bay, in order to provide more pathways to services and employment for our students
Provide CTE in the fields of healthcare and construction and to provide ELL-supported pathways to careers with livable wages in Marin County
Add staff and sites as needed to meet student demand
Increase social media presence by forming a MAEP Consortium Instagram presence
- Regional Planning Overview
MAEP reviews Marin County in four geographic areas: North Marin, serviced by Novato Adult School; Central Marin, served by San Rafael Adult School; South Marin, served by Tamalpais Adult School; and West Marin, served by Shoreline Unified School District. MAEP members review and assess demographic census data to identify communities of need as well as high school graduation rates as posted in CDE Dataquest. The cities of San Rafael and Novato are home to the largest number of Latino individuals who also have the highest census response rate of a language other than English spoken at home. CDE Dataquest reflects that San Rafael City Schools have the lowest high school graduation rate in the county at 79.2%. Based on these statistics, MAEP has prioritized HSE completion for aged-out Newcomer students in San Rafael along with continued ESL instruction once students have aged out of high school. Novato Adult School focuses on ESL instruction, HSD, and HSE preparation. Tamalpais Adult School’s programs match Novato Adult with the addition of short-term CTE in the field of healthcare. Rural West Marin has a smaller number of Hispanic/Latinx residents but still a high need for ESL classes. Member College of Marin is centrally located and offers post-high school, free, non-credit ESL instruction as well as short term CTE. Similarly, member Marin County Office of Education is centrally located to offer parent/child success instruction. MAEP schools have remained pivoted to provide in-person, distance, and hyflex instruction. For example, in rural West Marin, using on-line classes enabled students to continue their studies without having to drive long distances at night on country roads to attend class. Each member agency is making their own instructional decisions on incorporating on-line and in-person instruction to accommodate their students’ needs and preferences.
Meeting Regional Needs
Regional Need #1
- Gaps in Service / Regional Needs
ESL instruction remains a regional need in Marin County, especially in the Canal neighborhood of San Rafael and in the city of Novato where higher numbers of immigrants live. The consortium has been strategic in placing classes throughout the county with Tam Adult serving southern Marin, San Rafael Adult serving aged out newcomers in Central Marin, Novato Adult serving North Marin, and Shoreline Unified serving West Marin. In addition to the strategic placement, Tamalpais Adult School, Novato Adult School, and College of Marin all serve English Language Learners from all over the county. Satellite classes are expanding into the Fairfax area.
- How do you know? What resources did you use to identify these gaps?
College of Marin has noticed an increased need in ESL and literacy skills in students entering community college. According to CAEP's 2022 Fact Sheets, Marin County has 9,227 residents with limited English. Of those, 59.5% have less than a high school education. Since community colleges no longer perform placement testing, they are seeing the number of struggling students increase. In offering CTE coursework, the demand for bilingual Spanish instruction continues to increase. According to 2020 census data, 21.1% of Marin County residents speak a language other than English at home.
- How will you measure effectiveness / progress towards meeting this need?
The adult schools will continue their schedule of CASAS assessments in order to track student progress and improvement in English and mathematics. At the San Rafael Adult School, all students are required to continue ESL instruction while enrolled and until they graduate. Communication with College of Marin will continue to gauge the level of student readiness for community college. Tamalpais Adult School is increasing its geographical area served by partnering with Archie Williams High School as a satellite site. Members are also exploring offering ESL classes in Canal Alliance's newly refurbished building. Novato Adult School has expanded its ESL offerings. College of Marin will offer Assistance from College of Marin's dedicated MAEP adult education counselor continues to be important in this area. We can track this effectiveness using pre- and post- test scores, enrollment numbers across programs and agencies, HSD and HSE graduation rates, and by tracking the number of co-enrolled college + adult school students.
Regional Need #2
- Gaps in Service / Regional Needs
Providing CTE in order to qualify students for entry-level jobs in growing, well-paid industries continues to be a high priority for the Marin Consortium. The areas of healthcare and construction continue to be high-growth employment areas with strong wages in Marin county. Partnerships are needed and fostered to provide industry-specific apprenticeships. In the area of developing entry level jobs with viable career paths, the MCCD has partnered with Canal Alliance to offer noncredit introduction to construction classes (Education 2 Career- Construction), OSHA training, and Latinos in Finance. MCCD has rolled out an ELL-supported Certified Nursing Assistant course, and TUHSD has expanded its CTE offerings by adding an ELL-supported Front Office Medical Assistant course in addition to its Home Health Care Aide and Introduction to Healthcare Pathways courses. TUHSD, COM, and MCOE are each taking advantage of the ELL Healthcare Pathways grant and have begun phase two of their grant proposal. Career Technical Education program development aligns with regional workforce needs and targets career pathways that provide a livable wage, with the goal to focus on industries that pay a minimum of $25 hourly.
- How do you know? What resources did you use to identify these gaps?
Using monthly EDD labor outlook reports and LMI data, classes have been built around projected labor needs. Tam Adult School has been successful with a Home Care Aid course, offering classes online and in person and expanding its geographical area served by expanding into a partnership with Novato Adult School. This course is designed for entry level employment but maps to dental assisting, medical assisting, and nursing, all offered at College of Marin. COM continues to offer its ELL-supported Certified Nurse Assistant course, another entry level position which maps to COM health courses. Marin County Office of Education offers and Instructional Aid Bootcamp in which participants can learn about working in a public school as an Instructional Aid. All school districts in Marin need Instructional Assistants, positions with competitive pay and benefits. Construction job demand is being met by COM and partner Canal Alliance and the Marin Building Trades.
- How will you measure effectiveness / progress towards meeting this need?
Members continue to track participants and employment outcomes for these short-term CTE classes via the Core Performance surveys. CASAS is updated when employment is secured. Some CTE offerings culminate with a job fair for all successful graduates of a program. Increased involvement with partners such as the Marin Center for Independent Living, Homeward Bound, the Marin Builders Association, and Canal Alliance will result in more seamless transitions into CTE coursework offered in the area.
Regional Need #3
- Gaps in Service / Regional Needs
Parent-Child Success: Marin County Office of Education CAEP funding will support adults caring for K12 students in Alternative Education and the juvenile Justice system. MCOE will provide support to 18-year-old students in a modified “5th-year” program in attaining a high school diploma/equivalent and continue Paraeducator Trainings for adults hoping to work in K12 schools. MCOE will use limited CTEIG/Strong Workforce funding for CTE classes that will include adult students. As funds allow, MCOE will fund technology annd Spanish literacy instruction for adults in partnership with other consortium partners. Community partner Canal Alliance made extensive improvements in internet connectivity in the Canal neighborhood of San Rafael. However, other areas, such as rural West Marin, continue the hard work of improving access to the internet. Also, improving adult literacy among newcomer families with students in county schools has been identified as a factor in improving student success.
- How do you know? What resources did you use to identify these gaps?
Known lack of internet access was well documented in the county and programs to resolve this issue continue today. All school districts did their best to provide devices to families who needed them with loaner programs. MAEP surveys adult ed members and providers to evaluate interest in short-term technology classes for adults. Local K-12 schools have also identified a lack of parental literacy as a determining factor in child-students' success. Unfortunately, due to a depletion of carry-over reserves and budgetary constraints, the Marin Consortium has had to discontinue its investment in Digital Literacy classes for adults with children. We hope to find a way to reintroduce this program in the future.
- How will you measure effectiveness / progress towards meeting this need?
Parent engagement will be assessed via attendance records at program events and workshops. Additionally, we will gather qualitative data through focus groups with both parents and children to capture personal stories and insights on how the program has impacted family dynamics.
Regional Need #4
- Gaps in Service / Regional Needs
High school diploma / high school equivalency programming is offered by three MAEP members: TUHSD, SRCS, and NUSD. SRCS will be offering a high school equivalency program to Newcomer high school students who age out of SRCS without attaining a high school diploma. San Rafael City Schools educates the majority of the high school newcomer students in the county. Tamalpais Adult School and Novato Adult School serve adult school students county-wide who are working towards high school diploma / equivalency.
- How do you know? What resources did you use to identify these gaps?
CDE data continues to reflect the lowest high school graduation rate in the county is in the San Rafael City Schools district. The consortium prioritizes high school equivalency completion for aged out Newcomers who will also continue with ESL instruction while enrolled at SR Adult School. Tam Adult School and Novato Adult School offer ABE and ASE instruction to adults who can continue their studies in English. Novato Adult School hired a bilingual Spanish teacher who can teach GED prep in Spanish. Tamalpais Adult School is a Pearson Vue Test Center, and offers the GED test weekly.
- How will you measure effectiveness / progress towards meeting this need?
Student enrollment and progress will be documented in TOPSPro as required. The consortium has seen a trend developing of graduating over 75 students per year. Concurrently or upon graduation, students are encouraged to enroll at College of Marin to explore academic and vocational programs.
Address Educational Needs
2024-25 Strategies
CTE Instruction
Activity that Applies to this Strategy
Increase marketing and outreach
Metrics that Apply to this Activity/Strategy
- Student Barriers: English Language Learner (AE 305 - Overall)
A shared Transition Counselor meets with students regularly at member sites to provide referrals to student support services, outreach on adult education programs in Marin County, and to support and inform about higher education and pathways to local community colleges. Tamalpais Adult plans to continue the successful Introduction to Healthcare Pathways and the Home Care Aide Basics course targeting English language learners. TAS also plans to roll out a new ELL-supported Front Office Medical Assistant course. MCOE offers a boot camp for individuals interested in becoming Instructional Aids (many openings are available throughout the county). Shoreline Unified will offer a Food Handler certification class to serve workers in the local daycare centers as well as in local restaurants. College of Marin will support Construction classes, a Latinos in Finance course and the new Certified Nursing Assistant program, all in partnership with CBO Canal Alliance.
HSD / HSE Instruction
Activity that Applies to this Strategy
Increase marketing and outreach
Metrics that Apply to this Activity/Strategy
- Student Barriers: English Language Learner (AE 305 - Overall)
HSD/HSE programs are available in North, Central, and Southern Marin. The San Rafael Adult School, which focuses on aged-out Newcomer students, will expand entry level courses for SIFE students (Students with Interrupted Formal Education) and collaborate with COM and SRCS comprehensive sites to develop possible CTE. This focus will assist in accurately developing educational plans for students to move through their high school and adult school studies smoothly. Tamalpais and Novato Adult Schools serve a larger number of students for both HSD and HSE. A shared Transition Counselor meets with students regularly at all member sites to support and inform about higher education and pathways to local community colleges.
A simple web page that offers information about all Marin Adult Ed programs and is easy to find will fill an awareness gap. We use google key words to better lead individuals to this site, as well as better market this site on other collateral material. The site is also provided in Spanish.
Improve Integration of Services & Transitions
2024-25 Strategies
Integration
Activity that Applies to this Strategy
Increase marketing and outreach
Metrics that Apply to this Activity/Strategy
- Student Barriers: English Language Learner (AE 305 - Overall)
San Rafael Adult School will continue HSE for aged out Newcomers. In 22 – 23, an adult ed lead teacher/program manager was hired to work with the district high schools to identify students who will benefit from a 5th year in high school vs those who should transition to the adult school to complete their diploma requirements. Eligible students can enroll in both the high school and adult school if they are 18+ years of age. Spring transfers into the adult school will be offered. Previously enrolled students in San Rafael Adult School can return as space permits. Tamalpais Adult School has hired a part-time two-year Assistant Director to support ESL, CTE, GED and Diploma expansion between 2023-2025 as well as a lead person to head their execution of their ELL Healthcare Pathways grant.
Offering ESL via distance learning has been effective in rural West Marin where small towns are far apart and driving is primarily on two lane highways. Tamalpais Adult continues to offer a distance learning option. Trade-specific ESL instruction will continue to be a priority in CTE classes.
A part-time consortium-wide outreach coordinator was hired in October of 2022 to help grow industry and trade partnerships to facilitate the flow of students into the workforce, and the transition counselor continues to work to facilitate the transition of students from HSD / HSE into higher education. College of Marin is offering courses in Certified Nursing Assistance and in the Golden Gate Transit driver apprenticeship, and will continue its partnership with Canal Alliance's construction program.
Improve Effectiveness of Services
2024-25 Strategies
Improved Effectiveness
Activity that Applies to this Strategy
Monitor student data on progress and outcomes
Metrics that Apply to this Activity/Strategy
- Student Barriers: English Language Learner (AE 305 - Overall)
MAEP is continuing to fund a part-time Program Outreach and Data Analyst position which will focus on recruiting and directing students to courses and data collection and analysis to benefit program success and improvement for all Marin County adult education members and partners. The person in this position regularly attends career and job fairs. She has created an extensive email list of community stakeholders with whom she keeps in regular communication. Contacts have been established with the Career Point Marin office, Marin County Probation, Marin County Jail, and the District Attorney and Public Defender offices as well as multiple local non-profit agencies. Continued contact with these agencies will assist potential students not only with educational planning but services to address barriers to employment. The consortium consistently participates in the Public Defender’s “Clean Slate” event where attendees can talk to educational and service providers and have an evaluation performed to assess if criminal records could be “cleaned” through expungements. Program Outreach Coordinator / Data Analyst conducts quarterly data reviews as well as creates the agenda for all consortium meetings. Coordinator provides on-site support to agencies as needed. Coordinator has become an expert in Canvas and Canva and works to support all agencies' abilities to increase access to their course offerings. Coordinator has established quarterly regional meet-ups of multiple consortia in the north Bay Area.
HSE in the Marin County Jail is provided through 5 Keys and is supported through the Marin County Office of Education. MAEP will continue to have a dedicated adult education counselor who will serve all students throughout the county. This position will be supported by College of Marin and has been successful in transitioning eligible students from adult school to community college and CTE programs.
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.
Marin Community College District (MCCD) will continue to serve as the fiscal agent for the consortium. 2024 - 25 fund evaluation and distribution is as follows:
COM: In addition to Strong Workforce funds, MCCD will leverage district funding supplemented with CAEP funding to advance noncredit ESL programs and activities, noncredit, Short-Term CTE, and the courses and programs serving Adults with Disabilities. COM now offers a Certified Nursing Assistant course with ELL support funded by its ELL Healthcare Pathways Grant. COM continues its partnership with Canal Alliance to offer construction courses and a Latinos in Finance course. COM uses allocated funds to support the consortium-wide adult education counselor.
MCOE: CAEP funding will supplement general funds to support adults caring for K12 students in an Alternative Education program or Juvenile Justice program, provide help for adult students without a high school diploma attain a high school diploma or equivalent, and to continue Paraeducator Trainings for adults hoping to work in K12 schools. MCOE will use limited CTEIG/Strong Workforce funding for CTE classes that will include adult students. MCOE will also support the Let’s Talk K12 parent education publication and workshop series.
NUSD: In addition to CAEP funds, NUSD will use minimal CALWORKS funding to help eliminate barriers for adult ed students. Support has included curriculum material, Chromebooks, and fee waivers for testing. NUSD has expanded its offerings to include Spanish-language GED courses. NUSD will also leverage funding to continue providing ESL, and HSD/HSE classes. Other MAEP members have made allocation amendments to aid in NUSD’s services to its expanding population.
TUHSD: Funding outside of CAEP includes WIOA Title II, in-kind donations for classrooms at co-located offsite locations, and a small reserve including CALWORKS funding and fees collected from Pearson Vue test center examinees. TUHSD leverages all available funding in the operation of its WASC-accredited school to provide free classes and materials in CTE, ESL, and HSE.
SRCS: CAEP funds will provide in-person instruction to Newcomer SRCS students and formerly enrolled students to earn a high school diploma or equivalent. SRCS also uses CAEP funding to offer non-credit ELD classes to SRCS adult school students in order to improve English skills for college or career opportunities. District funding provides necessary infrastructure for Adult School operations.
SUSD: CAEP funds will provide ESL classes through the Marin County Public Library, short-term ServSafe CTE classes, and classes in effective use of technology to aid families in accessing SUSD student portals. The library will provide in-kind classroom space.
Please describe the consortium's approach to incorporate remaining carry-over funds from prior year(s) into strategies planned for 2024-25.
MAEP updated its bylaws to include statements regarding funding evaluation of both annual allocations and carry-over funds. Members with an excess of 20% carry-over funds have made plans to re-allocate the monies to other members in need or to spend on upcoming programs, including the Spanish Literacy class. Members with funding which can be allocated to other members have always been in practice in Marin County. This enables members to offer additional courses and assist with purchases of educational materials. Year-to-year enrollment data is evaluated by members in order to gauge progress, outcomes, and funding decisions. Discussion on fiscal solvency and deliverables of MAEP members is regularly discussed at monthly meetings.
- An approach to incorporating remaining carry-over funds from prior year(s) into strategies planned for 2024-25.
Carry-over funds for each agency are discussed quarterly during consortium meetings. The fiscal agent prepares a report and members discuss how to best re-allocate funds if any agency has excessive carry-over. For the 2024-25 school year, carry-over funds have been reallocated in order to increase capacity at the agencies with the most unmet demand for ESL classes and to support the consortium-wide Outreach Coordinator position. Members of the Marin Consortium are very mutually supportive, and so far the process of using one agency's carry-over to support another agency's need has been smooth. MAEP updated its bylaws to include statements regarding funding evaluation of both annual allocations and carry-over funds. Members with excess carry-over funds have made plans to re-allocate the monies to other members in need. Members with funding which can be allocated to other members have always been in practice in Marin County. This enables members to offer additional courses and assist with purchases of educational materials. Year-to-year enrollment data is evaluated by members in order to gauge progress, outcomes, and funding decisions. Discussion on fiscal solvency and deliverables of MAEP members is regularly discussed at monthly meetings.
Certification
Marin CCD - Member Representative
Kathleen Antokhin - Program Coordinator- Workforce Projects
- kantokhin@marin.edu
- (415) 457-8811 ext: 8183
Alina Varona - arvarona@marin.edu
Marin Co. Office of Education - Member Representative
Ken Lippi - klippi@marinschools.org
- (415) 499-5803
Novato Unified - Member Representative
Jennifer Marsh Russell - Assistant Principal
- jmarshrussell@nusd.org
- (415) 493-4314
San Rafael City High - Member Representative
Victoria Martin - Principal
- vmartin@srcs.org
- (415) 485-2437
Shoreline Unified - Member Representative
Adam Jennings - Superintendent
- adam.jennings@shorelineunified.org
CBO Shoreline - cbo@shorelineunified.org
- (707) 878-2226
Katie Anderson - CBO
- katie.anderson@shorelineunified.org
- (707) 878-2226
Tamalpais Union High - Member Representative
Jaemi Naish - Director
- jnaish@tamdistrict.org
- (415) 945-1070
Sue Hall - Asst Director
- shall@tamdistrict.org
- (310) 748-8443
Monica McMillan - Secretary
- mmcmillan@tamdistrict.org
- (415) 945-1034