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CAEP Three-Year Plan: 2022-23 68 West Kern Consortium

Status: Certified

California Adult Education Program Produced: 05/26/2022 03:06 AM PDT Deb Daniels

68 West Kern Consortium: Certified

Details

Consortium Information

Consortium Name:
68 West Kern Consortium
Consortium Short Name:
68 West Kern
Address:
915 N Tenth St., Suite 34 | Taft, CA | 93268
Website:
www.wkaen.org
Funding Channel 2022-23:
Fiscal Agent
CAEP Funds 2022-23:
$912,536
CAEP Funds 2021-22:
$866,359
CAEP Funds 2020-21:
$832,637

Consortium Contacts

ResponsibilityNameEmailTitlePhone
Primary Contactsfalgout@westkernlearn.orgDirector(661) 745-4315
Primary Contactaccounting@westkernlearn.orgAccountant(661) 565-6168
Primary Contactalramirez@westkernlearn.orgSite Coordinator(661) 745-4315
Fiscal Contactddaniels@taftcollege.edu

Member Agencies

Member AgencyMember TypeContactPhone
West Kern CCDDistrictDeb Daniels
Maricopa UnifiedUnified School DistrictMichael Coleman(661) 769-8231 ext: 202
Taft Union HighHigh School DistrictJason Hodgson(661) 763-2300
Kern Co. Office of EducationCounty Office of Education (COE)John Mendiburu(661) 636-4168
West Kern Adult Education Network Joint Powers AuthorityJoint Powers Authority (JPA)Stacey Falgout(661) 745-4315

Executive Summary

West Kern Adult Education Network (WKAEN) entered into a Joint Power Authority (JPA) in 2017. At that time, as part of the consortium’s Three-Year Plan, WKAEN’s goals were to create an established system student intakes, assessments, counseling, and placement processes into the myriad of adult education pathways and workforce services. The formation of the WKAEN JPA allowed the consortium to leverage and localize resources and ultimately led to successful implementation of the Three-Year Plan, ultimately increasing services and student success as a whole. Additionally, West Kern County has seen a significant transformation that has encouraged countless students toward new pathways that lead to greater career mobility, economic growth, and community development. According to 24/7 Wall Street Index, the West Kern community is listed as one of the top fifty worst places to live. Keenly aware of the high needs this area holds, WKAEN sought out community partnerships throughout the area to leverage every resource for the benefit of the community who needed it most. As a result, the alignment of educational institutional resources has facilitated the growth of adult education and has allowed the consortium to deliver a vision that serves our population. 

Core Values:

 Community involvement

· Respect & support toward students and employees

· Removing barriers

· Empowering student success

Core Purpose:

The core purpose of WKAEN is to develop and provide educational opportunities for adults leading to increased employment and/or higher education resulting in greater financial stability. This purpose is accomplished through the organization’s core values:

· Removing barriers and empowering students

· Community involvement and awareness

· Respect and support shown to students and employees

Vision:

The consortium will ensure that all residents have access to sufficient and effective resources, training, and support required to meet the community needs for high school equivalency literacy, English as a Second Language (ESL), and citizenship education.

Currently, WKAEN is projected to serve 200 per AEP year. Currently, 293 non-duplicated students are being served. A total of 801 workforce certifications have been handed out since 2017 and WKAEN has had over 100 students graduate since 2019.

Due to West Kern’s rural community, the needs of students remain the same: low high school equivalency attainment, a high unemployment rate, with 56% Hispanic/Latino population and 15% of those are not U.S. Citizens. This data shows that there is a high need for English as a Second Language (ESL). WKAEN will continue to prioritize IIF that will incorporate ESL, Spanish GED, parenting, financial literacy, computer skills, civics, citizenship, and CTE ESL courses. Looking forward to the next three years, WKAEN plans to expand many different areas of opportunity. In 2022 – 2025, WKAEN will complete updates on a building that will serve the Hispanic and Latino community. This new facility is located one block away from Jefferson Elementary, which serves a Hispanic and Latino student population of 80%. Classes such as ESL, civics, citizenship, parenting, financial literacy, computer skills, and ESL CTE will all be housed in this new building.

Further, back in 2019, WKAEN applied for and received the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) grant which totaled to $200,000 and was expected to serve 20 students. Funding is used to provide job training through internships and mentoring for youth ages 18-24. Due to COVID, the first year of the program was put on hold but once the 2020 – 2021 school year was refunded, WKAEN’s WIOA program ramped up recruitment and was able to meet the goals set by the grant. For the following 2021 – 2022, this program received an increase which totaled to $263,244 to serve 35 students – fifteen more than the previous year. This program has been incredibly successful with WKAEN implementing a waitlist to add more students. The consortium is currently applying for the 2022 – 2023 school year program and hopes to increase funding and serve a total of 100 students.

· By 2025, increase the number of HSE graduates to 50 per year.

· By 2025, develop at least two accredited programs with state recognized certificates that lead students to gainful employment.

· By June 2025, apply and operate the WIOA II grant.

· By June 2025, hire 2 ESL teachers to teach ESL, civics, Citizenship fulltime during the daytime hours.

· By June 2025, operate a Home Care aide program that leads to a CNA program in ESL.

· Increase employment rate by 50% within our local company/industries. 

· Represent adult education organizations who reside in rural area for the state of California and continue to advocate on the needs of these areas.

WKAEN will continue to hire and put the right people on the bus. WKAEN will strive to be the best we can to meet the needs of the surrounding industries and ultimately, serve students in need with real-world skills.

Assessment

Over the last seven years, West Kern Adult Education Network (WKAEN) has seen tremendous growth in its programs and processes with the ultimate goal of removing barriers and empowering students in our region.

By strategically aligning with local education agencies to easily provide services to those who need it most, WKAEN has increased participation in GED, ESL and Career Technical Education (CTE) courses. Additionally, designated as a JPA, WKAEN can also hold classes year-round – further supporting the West Kern community when they need it most.

After looking at current processes and upcoming goals for the organization, WKAEN sees the next three years as a period of expansion. In 2022-2025, WKAEN hopes to offer courses in Civics, Citizenship, and ESL CTE to better serve the community under the IIF. WKAEN also offers GED in English and in Spanish and offers 10 CTE courses in English and 4 in Spanish.

New CTE courses have also been implemented utilizing established collaborations between Taft College and Taft Union High School. Three additional trainings will be conducted annually in Home Care Aide, Security Guard Card, and Building Educators through Education (a teacher development pathway that starts in high school). The California Chancellor’s Office Strong Workforce Program will partially fund these programs in a Work Force Grant.

More recently, WKAEN has been in the process of implementing a new Construction CTE course that aligns with local industries and post-secondary certificates and hopes to develop this curriculum with consortium members and stakeholders in mind,

Additionally, WKAEN operates and provides the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) grant. WKAEN was granted $200,000 in 2019 and grant funding was increased to $263,244 in 2022. WIOA serves 36 out-of-school youth, ages 18-24.

In 2022-2025, WKAEN will applying for the WIOA II grant and expanding the WIOA I program to serve the out-of-school youth.  WKAEN will be increasing CTE courses in Spanish.  WKAEN has establish a baseline for future program piloting and implementation. In the coming years, the West Kern Adult Education Network will focus on increasing access to education for adult learners. The following goals have been established to align to the organizations vision, while simultaneously meeting the needs of adult learners in West Kern.

By 2025, increase the number of HSE graduates to 50 students per year.

By 2025, develop at least three regionally recognized certificates in Spanish Construction, Home Care Aide, and computer skills leading to gainful employment.

By 2025, improve DATA Analysis and capture occupational skill gains.

By 2025, Increase enrollment retention and quarterly student follow up process.

By 2025, hire part-time counselors and case managers to transition students from WKAEN to Taft College and into the workforce.  

The West Kern Adult Education Network (WKAEN) has a small and dedicated team of administrators, instructors, and clerical staff. The organization has the support of consortium partners and the local community. WKAEN is ran by a Governing board which includes 1 President (Taft College) 2 superintendents (local schools) 1 Advisory member from Kern County Superintendents of schools (KCSOS).

WKAEN's goal is to remove barriers and empower students.  In the next three years, the West Kern Adult Education Network will strive to continue to make an impact on the community that we serve by focusing on one student at a time.


By creating the West Kern Adult Education Network (WKAEN), the West Kern Consortium has sparked a transformation in West Kern County to provide an avenue for stranded adults to obtain greater career opportunities. WKAEN’s core purpose is focused on providing educational opportunities that will help get them employed or enrolled in higher education programs which will ultimately provide better financial stability.

In order to accomplish this goal, WKAEN is utilizing a myriad of community collaborations that make it easy for students to identify the next steps and removing barriers from achieving their goals.  Internally, WKAEN established protocols which have created “exemplary models” for individual program development, partnership development, post-secondary alignment, employer partnership development, internships, and work-based learning standards. These protocols are at the base of all decisions to ensure WKAEN is being intentional in its growth.

To track these developments, WKAEN is also using consistent data collection processes which help set goals and objectives with timelines. Allowing for seamless integration of aligning programs with Taft Union High School and Taft College. Further, WKEAN plans to establish monthly advisory committees with Taft Union High School District and Taft College to emerge curriculum and ensure that the partnership between all involved entities is on track.

For WKAEN’s WIOA I program, modules have been put in place which allow students to get an easy-to-follow overview on expectations, next steps, and ultimately, meet all required guidelines found within the WIOA I program. WKAEN has created modules to assist students in WIOA I, to meet the required guidelines when utilizing any WKAEN-sponsored trainings or classes.

WKEAN will provide counseling for each student that is moving into the post- secondary pathway. Currently, this counselor is part-time and is connected to Taft College and conducts sessions at WKAEN once a week in the Career Center for two hours. Along with personalized one-on-one counseling services, comprehensive college pathways, and career exploration is available to any student interested in getting more information about their options.

Looking ahead, WKAEN hopes to hire a second counselor that will help students gain soft skills training to further students in gaining skills to increase employability and stackable certifications. These certifications will provide an advancement to students in college who are preparing for their careers.

Located within Kern County, the West Kern Consortium is situated on the vast Midway- Sunset Oil Field, encompassing a 767-square mile area. The areas served in this diverse and rural population include Taft, Maricopa, Fellows, Elk Hills, McKittrick, and other census-designated places in West Kern. The communities of Taft and Maricopa are the primary population centers within West Kern County, and home to approximately 27,000 residents combined.  Like many rural regions in California, adult education services within West Kern County were fragmented, and in many cases, non-existent. The consortium, however, has made great strides and has sparked a transformation in West Kern County to provide a pathway to greater career mobility, economic growth, and community development.

In 2020-2021, West Kern region has a population of 8,945 people that reside in the Taft area. With a decrease of 4% in population since 2010. Average household income is $56,627 with a poverty rate of 28%. Approximately 40% of people residing within the West Kern area have less than a ninth-grade education level while 37% are considered unemployed. With a 56% Hispanic/ Latino population, 90% of our students are non-citizens.

Within the same school year, West Kern Adult Education Network provided services to approximately 293 students. The West Kern Consortia was allocated to serve approximately 200 students. The makeup of clients is 61% female and 39% male. Clients seeking services range in age from 18-70 years of age; however, most of the students fall in the range of 18-54-year-old with a strong concentration of youth 18-24 seeking services. About 49% of clients seeking services do not have a high school diploma, 31% only have a high school diploma, and 5% have a high school equivalency (GED). In 2020, about 58% of students enrolled in a career technical education or workforce readiness program in order to qualify for entry level positions. Approximately 43% enrolled in the high school equivalency program. The English as a Second Language program had a 22% enrollment rate. Additionally, 3% of the clients enrolled are adults with disabilities.

The Regional Labor Market 

Students who enroll in short-term trainings at WKAEN are seeking employment or better employment opportunities. As mentioned above, 40% of people residing within the West Kern area have less than a ninth-grade education level while 37% are considered unemployed.

In order to take advantage of the employment opportunities, students will often register for more than one training but still struggle with attending class everyday due to transportation issues.  Transportation is a barrier for many, while there are many students who report having a vehicle or access to a vehicle, they simply cannot afford the rising cost of gasoline.

Therefore, many of the clients WKAEN serves cannot accept jobs outside of West Kern. Public transportation in the area exists, but services are limited. Taft Area Transit, for example, operates the Maricopa to Taft route, that runs three times a day and offers no weekend and evening service.

Regional Community and Economy

Kern County is the biggest oil producer in the continental United States and a key player in the renewable-energy sector, with some of the largest wind farms and solar power arrays in the world. As the third-largest county in California, it is an important agricultural center and ranks among the fastest-growing metropolitan regions in the country. Home to nearly 900,000 residents, the population of the Western Kern County is 44% White and 56% Hispanic/ Latino. Residents have a lower median income and a higher rate of poverty than that of the state of California.

Energy and agriculture are the region’s main employment drivers. The energy sector, including oil extraction and the growing sustainable-energy sector, offer high-paying jobs and bring wealth to the area but can often be unpredictable. On the other end of the spectrum, approximately one-quarter of the workforce is employed in low-paying agricultural jobs. These often are seasonal and low-skilled positions, filled by recent immigrants and migrants.+

Over 90% of establishments in the area are small businesses. However, various national chains have announced they are opening locations in Taft. In April 2019, the Countryside Car Wash opened its door becoming the first drive through car wash service in the area. Jack in the Box, O'Reilly's Auto Parts, Dollar General, Grocery Outlet, and Starbucks all have had constructions projects approved by the City of Taft. This increase in retail and fast food opens the door to additional customer service jobs in the area. 

Lastly, local industry partners have expressed a strong need for a trained and local workforce.  WKAEN is meeting the needs by developing and implementing industry related trainings which enhance learner’s job skills and basic education proficiencies. Employers are responding by directly hiring CTE graduates. 

The Taft Union High School District’s Career Technical Department is a valuable asset for adult education in West Kern. The CTE Department has its own facility, the Career Technical Education Center (CTEC), where various CTE courses are held. The department focuses on providing programs that meet current job demands and future careers. One of the missions of the CTE department at Taft Union High School is to provide classes that illustrate theory-based instruction, as well as opportunities to apply knowledge with “hands-on” skills applications. The Career Technical Education Center offers the following programs:

Ag Mechanics and Ag Science

Arts, Media, and Entertainment (TV Production)

Education (Careers in Education)

Energy (Oil Tech Academy)

Health Science (Health Careers)

Hospitality (Culinary Arts)

Manufacturing (Graphic Communications)

Marketing (Retail Sales)

Public Service (Law Enforcement)

Transportation (Auto Technology)

In collaboration with the Taft Union High School CTE department, the West Kern Adult Education Network has facilitated thirteen trainings since 2017. WKAEN uses the CTE facilities and instructors in the areas of Health Careers, Law Enforcement, Education, Culinary Arts, and soft skills. This leverages current resources with no additional teachers needed to be hired and no additional facilities need to be rented. The industry certificates awarded are an advantage to adult learners. Adult learners take a short amount of time to complete awarded certificates that offer a preview of potential career options.

The first three years of operation at the West Kern Consortium were defined by the implementation of the Adult Education Program. The goals in the first three-year consortia plan were to have a well-established system of intake, assessment, advisement, and placement into adult education and workforce services. The formation of the West Kern Adult Education Network (WKAEN) has allowed consortium members to align and localize all their resources. Aligning resources and funds in a community listed as one of the top 50 worst places to live (24/7 Wall St. Index) is important to the education institutions in West Kern. As a result, the alignment of resources has facilitated the growth of adult education. This has allowed the consortium to operate within its vision.

Regional Service Providers

For each Member Agency service provider, enter the number of Participants in each program area.

Provider NameProvider TypeNumber of Participants in Program AreaTotal Participants
ABEASEESLEl CivicsAWDK12 SuccessShort Term CTEWorkforce ReentryPre-Apprenticeship
*Kern Co. Office of EducationMember Representative

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*Maricopa UnifiedMember Representative

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*Taft Union HighMember Representative

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*West Kern Adult Education Network Joint Powers AuthorityMember Representative

125

0

64

0

8

0

117

79

0

*West Kern CCDMember Representative

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Total Participants 125 0 64 0 8 0 117 79 0 393
* Member Agency required to input number of Participants

For each service provider added, check the box in the program areas where services are provided.

No Service Providers for this consortium.

West Kern Adult Education Network JPA stands as its own member and is directed by a Governing Board.

Participant enrollment data reported in the table above comes from TOPSpro Enterprise data reports.

Based on the above data for the 2020-21 Program Year (which is believed to be most correct), WKAEN had 390 duplicated participants in CAEP programs. WKAEN participant enrollment has been significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. WKAEN experienced a 50-60% decline in enrollment. Objectives in this Three-Year Plan seek to rebuild enrollment to pre-pandemic levels.

Gaps from current WKAEN enrollment levels by program areas to regional needs is evident. Taft's current population is 8,945 residents this is a 4% decrease from since 2010. The average household income is $56,627 with a poverty rate of 28%. Approximately 40% of people residing within the West Kern area have less than a ninth-grade education level while 37% are considered unemployed. 56% to Taft's population is Hispanic/Latino and 90% of our students are non-citizens.

To address regional employment training needs, WKAEN has analyzed the EDD Labor Market Information (LMI). WKAEN has incorporated training for the highest need of employment in Home Care Aid, Construction, Security Guard, Welding, Educational Pathway, Landscaping, computer skills, Food Handlers, Forklift, and Industrial Safety.  WKAEN has evaluated preexisting programs, developed soft skills, provided academic/career counseling, and assessment for each student. This will allow us to increase for employment for our local industries.

To track these developments, WKAEN is also using consistent data collection processes which help set goals and objectives with timelines. Allowing for seamless integration of aligning programs with Taft Union High School and Taft College. Further, WKEAN plans to establish a monthly advisory committee with Taft Union High School District and Taft College to emerge curriculum and ensure that the partnership between all involved entities is on track.

Metrics: CAEP Barriers & Metrics

Metrics

Adult Ed Metrics

  • English Language Learner (AE 305 - Overall)
  • Low Income (AE 310 - Overall)
  • Low Literacy (AE 311 - Overall)

Metrics

Adult Ed Metrics

  • Participants with Educational Functioning Levels Gains ABE (AE 400 - ABE)
  • Participants with Educational Functioning Levels Gains ASE (AE 400 - ASE)

Metrics

Adult Ed Metrics

  • Participants with Transition to ASE (AE 500 - Overall)
  • Participants with Transition to Postsecondary (CTE) (AE 636 - Overall)
  • Participants with Transition to Postsecondary (credit college) (AE 637 - Overall)

Metrics

Adult Ed Metrics

  • Participants Who Earn a High School Diploma or Equivalency (AE 633 - Overall)

Metrics

Adult Ed Metrics

  • Participants Who Became Employed in the 2nd Quarter After Exit (AE 505 - Overall)

Consortium Level Metric Targets

* Mandatory for all consortia

Metric Set Metric 2019-20 Actuals 2020-21 Actuals 2021-22 Actuals 2022-23 Target 2023-24 Target 2024-25 Target
All*Number of Adults Served (AE 200 - Overall) 474 295

300

350

400

Student BarriersEnglish Language Learner (AE 305 - Overall) 110 68

80

130

180

Student BarriersLow Literacy (AE 311 - Overall) 247 185

200

250

350

Student BarriersLow Income (AE 310 - Overall) 180 253

300

350

400

Member Level Metric Targets

* Mandatory for all members

Kern Co. Office of Education (No reporting institution)

Metric Set Metric 2019-20 Actuals 2020-21 Actuals 2021-22 Actuals 2022-23 Target 2023-24 Target 2024-25 Target
All*Adults who Became Participants (AE 202 - Overall)

0

0

0

Employment and EarningsParticipants Who Became Employed in the 2nd Quarter After Exit (AE 505 - Overall)

0

0

0

ProgressParticipants with Educational Functioning Levels Gains ABE (AE 400 - ABE)

0

0

0

ProgressParticipants with Educational Functioning Levels Gains ASE (AE 400 - ASE)

0

0

0

SuccessParticipants Who Earn a High School Diploma or Equivalency (AE 633 - Overall)

0

0

0

TransitionParticipants with Transition to Postsecondary (credit college) (AE 637 - Overall)

0

0

0

TransitionParticipants with Transition to Postsecondary (CTE) (AE 636 - Overall)

0

0

0

TransitionParticipants with Transition to ASE (AE 500 - Overall)

0

0

0


Maricopa Unified (Reported by Maricopa Unified School District)

Metric Set Metric 2019-20 Actuals 2020-21 Actuals 2021-22 Actuals 2022-23 Target 2023-24 Target 2024-25 Target
All*Adults who Became Participants (AE 202 - Overall)

0

0

0

Employment and EarningsParticipants Who Became Employed in the 2nd Quarter After Exit (AE 505 - Overall)

0

0

0

ProgressParticipants with Educational Functioning Levels Gains ABE (AE 400 - ABE)

0

0

0

ProgressParticipants with Educational Functioning Levels Gains ASE (AE 400 - ASE)

0

0

0

SuccessParticipants Who Earn a High School Diploma or Equivalency (AE 633 - Overall)

0

0

0

TransitionParticipants with Transition to Postsecondary (credit college) (AE 637 - Overall)

0

0

0

TransitionParticipants with Transition to Postsecondary (CTE) (AE 636 - Overall)

0

0

0

TransitionParticipants with Transition to ASE (AE 500 - Overall)

0

0

0


Taft Union High (Reported by Taft Union High School District)

Metric Set Metric 2019-20 Actuals 2020-21 Actuals 2021-22 Actuals 2022-23 Target 2023-24 Target 2024-25 Target
All*Adults who Became Participants (AE 202 - Overall)

0

0

0

Employment and EarningsParticipants Who Became Employed in the 2nd Quarter After Exit (AE 505 - Overall)

0

0

0

ProgressParticipants with Educational Functioning Levels Gains ABE (AE 400 - ABE)

0

0

0

ProgressParticipants with Educational Functioning Levels Gains ASE (AE 400 - ASE)

0

0

0

SuccessParticipants Who Earn a High School Diploma or Equivalency (AE 633 - Overall)

0

0

0

TransitionParticipants with Transition to Postsecondary (credit college) (AE 637 - Overall)

0

0

0

TransitionParticipants with Transition to Postsecondary (CTE) (AE 636 - Overall)

0

0

0

TransitionParticipants with Transition to ASE (AE 500 - Overall)

0

0

0


West Kern Adult Education Network Joint Powers Authority (No reporting institution)

Metric Set Metric 2019-20 Actuals 2020-21 Actuals 2021-22 Actuals 2022-23 Target 2023-24 Target 2024-25 Target
All*Adults who Became Participants (AE 202 - Overall)

300

350

400

Employment and EarningsParticipants Who Became Employed in the 2nd Quarter After Exit (AE 505 - Overall)

23

33

43

ProgressParticipants with Educational Functioning Levels Gains ABE (AE 400 - ABE)

27

37

47

ProgressParticipants with Educational Functioning Levels Gains ASE (AE 400 - ASE)

85

90

95

SuccessParticipants Who Earn a High School Diploma or Equivalency (AE 633 - Overall)

11

25

35

TransitionParticipants with Transition to Postsecondary (credit college) (AE 637 - Overall)

21

30

40

TransitionParticipants with Transition to Postsecondary (CTE) (AE 636 - Overall)

21

5

10

TransitionParticipants with Transition to ASE (AE 500 - Overall)

0

5

10


West Kern CCD (Reported by West Kern District)

Metric Set Metric 2019-20 Actuals 2020-21 Actuals 2021-22 Actuals 2022-23 Target 2023-24 Target 2024-25 Target
All*Adults who Became Participants (AE 202 - Overall) 296 166

0

0

0

Employment and EarningsParticipants Who Became Employed in the 2nd Quarter After Exit (AE 505 - Overall) 68

0

0

0

ProgressParticipants with Educational Functioning Levels Gains ABE (AE 400 - ABE)

0

0

0

ProgressParticipants with Educational Functioning Levels Gains ASE (AE 400 - ASE) 10

0

0

0

SuccessParticipants Who Earn a High School Diploma or Equivalency (AE 633 - Overall) 10

0

0

0

TransitionParticipants with Transition to Postsecondary (credit college) (AE 637 - Overall)

0

0

0

TransitionParticipants with Transition to Postsecondary (CTE) (AE 636 - Overall) 21

0

0

0

TransitionParticipants with Transition to ASE (AE 500 - Overall)

0

0

0

Member Spending Targets

MemberPercent of 2019-20 Available Funds SpentPercent of 2020-21 Available Funds SpentPercent of 2021-22 Available Funds Spent2022-23 Target2023-24 Target2024-25 Target
West Kern Adult Education Network Joint Powers Authority 100% 15% 0%

85%

85%

85%

Objectives

Address Educational Needs

WKAEN will address the educational needs of the communities served by focusing on gaps in service and aligning resources across our rural area. The activities and objectives have been written to provide a high-level approach to expanding on the successes realized during the implementation of the last Three-Year Plan and to address the ever-changing regional needs as our community emerges from the hardships of the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Gaps In Service

To continue to focus on gaps in services, WKAEN will engage in the following activities in addition to those ideated in the Activities & Outcomes section:

Work directly with local industries and align workforce and CTE courses as needed.

Continue to be on the local committees and Educational Boards to support our educational growth and streamline the workforce pipeline.

Continue to have weekly data reviews.

Engage quarterly with fiscal reporting data from Nova.

Meet with local school and subcommittees to address immigrant gaps and barriers.

Create a wraparound service for adult education and student success.

Conduct biannual economic and workforce analysis to determine shifts in the labor market in alignment with the West Kern workforce.

Add classes to meet labor demands and develop curriculum to align with industry needs.

Create positions for transitional counselors and case managers to assist students and aligning their pathways in education or CTE.


Improve Integration of Services & Transitions

WKAEN will improve integration of services and transitions across our districts and partner agencies by focusing on seamless transitions and student acceleration across the West Kern region. The activities and objectives have been written to provide a high-level approach to expanding on the success realized during the implementation of the last Three-Year Plan and to address the ever-changing regional needs as our community emerges from the hardships of the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Seamless Transitions Objectives:

Engage in quarterly reviews of student data from MIS and DIR.

Engage in transition planning for graduates within 30 credits of program completion.

Incorporate a transitional counselor that case manages transitions to Postsecondary education and the workforce.

Engage guest speakers from the college, trade schools, and employers to raise student awareness about workforce opportunities.

Incorporate soft skills in all the CTE and WIOA I trainings.

Increase frequency of resume and mock interview workshops.

Continue to improve the warm hand-off between adult school ESL and COS ESL while avoiding supplementing of services.

Improve the tracking of student transitions to postsecondary and the workforce.

Defining pathways with clear a seamless transition into postsecondary education.

Improve in transitioning our ESL students into post-secondary education and the CTE workforce.

Student Acceleration Objectives:

Continue to align programs of study across K-12 and the community college to ease and encourage student transitions.

Engage with strong workforce programs to increase transitions to the workforce.


Improve Effectiveness of Services

WKAEN will Improve Effectiveness of Services across the West Kern area by focusing on Professional Development and Continuous Improvement Planning across our rural area. The activities and objectives have been written to provide a high-level approach to expanding on the successes realized during the implementation of the last Three-Year Plan and to address the regional needs as communities emerge from the hardships of the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Professional Development Objectives:

Continued training that is focused on the needs of high-demand industry sectors and occupations.

Continued professional development in all program areas of CAEP.

Continued focus on best-practice instruction in all program areas for adult learners.

WKAEN will engage in the following activities in addition to those ideated in the Activities & Outcomes section:

Continue to implement and revise WIOA I:

1. Increase attendance in ABE/ASE and ESL/ELL classes to a minimum of 70 hours.

2. Provide technology training to build learning experiences for students through one-on-one counseling and webinars.

3. Increase enrollment in CTE programs by 20%.

4. increase ESL student participation in IET/CTE pathways by 20% over the next three years.

5. Increase the accuracy of student placement by increasing the efficiency of pre/post testing.

6. Student learning gains will increase by 5%.

7. Refine and improve practices of collecting & utilizing student data.

8. Expand instructional technology support from a Blended Learning Assistant.

9. Use Pre/Post assessments to achieve a 15% increase of students with 70+ instructional hours.


Activities & Outcomes

Increased Completion Rates

Objective that Applies to this Activity

Improve Integration of Services & Transitions

Increase completion rates in all program areas resulting in a greater number of students transitioning to postsecondary programs and the workforce.

 5% completion growth

10% completion growth and increase in literacy gains; Additional funding streams due to increased performance outcomes that will lead to higher graduation rates.

15% completion growth and an increase in literacy gains.

Proposed Completion Date

06/30/2027

Adult Ed Metrics and Student Barriers

  • All: Adults who Became Participants (AE 202 - Overall)
  • Employment and Earnings: Participants Who Became Employed in the 2nd Quarter After Exit (AE 505 - Overall)
  • Progress: Participants with Educational Functioning Levels Gains ABE (AE 400 - ABE)
  • Progress: Participants with Educational Functioning Levels Gains ASE (AE 400 - ASE)
  • Student Barriers: English Language Learner (AE 305 - Overall)
  • Student Barriers: Low Income (AE 310 - Overall)
  • Student Barriers: Low Literacy (AE 311 - Overall)
  • Transition: Participants with Transition to ASE (AE 500 - Overall)
  • Transition: Participants with Transition to Postsecondary (CTE) (AE 636 - Overall)
  • Transition: Participants with Transition to Postsecondary (credit college) (AE 637 - Overall)

Responsible person(s)

Name

Funds Evaluation

Member Allocations and Expenditures

Member AgencyPrior Year Total Leveraged FundsProgram Reporting Status
Kern Co. Office of Education (Optional)$0Draft
Maricopa Unified (Optional)$0Draft
Taft Union High (Optional)$0Draft
West Kern Adult Education Network Joint Powers Authority $376,712Certified
West Kern CCD (Optional)$0Draft
Totals$376,712 1/5 Certified

The WKAEN Board meets regularly to discuss the allocation of funds. All allocations of the WKAEN funding goes directly to WKAEN.

WKAEN will be incorporating Healthcare Career and Construction pathways in ESL for students and expanding career pathways in this quickly growing industries sector.


Certification

Kern Co. Office of Education - Member Representative

Approved by John Mendiburu

05/25/2022 02:40 PM PDT

Maricopa Unified - Member Representative

Approved by Michael Coleman

05/25/2022 04:22 PM PDT

Taft Union High - Member Representative

Approved by Jason Hodgson

05/25/2022 10:36 PM PDT

West Kern Adult Education Network Joint Powers Authority - Member Representative

Approved by Stacey Falgout

05/25/2022 02:26 PM PDT

West Kern CCD - Member Representative

Approved by Deb Daniels

05/26/2022 03:06 AM PDT