SBCTC NEWS LINKS | Articles about – and of interest to – Washington state community and technical colleges
SYSTEM NEWS | OPINIONS
States shake up adult education to help low-skilled workers
Researchers at Georgetown University estimate that by 2018, nearly two-thirds of U.S. jobs will require some education or training beyond a high school diploma but not necessarily a bachelor's degree. But large swaths of the U.S. labor force lack the basic math and language skills needed to enroll in postsecondary education courses and the career-training programs that many specialized jobs require. Many who try to overcome these deficiencies through under-funded adult basic-education classes endure waiting lists or end up leaving before completing the courses.
… "What we're trying to do is get away from these long sequences where they're stuck in a traditional adult basic-education program for a year or longer, and only when they get their GED are they permitted to enroll in college. There are adult learners that we can double down on and essentially wipe out months of their time and effort by doing two things at once," said Barbara Endel, the program director at Jobs for the Future, a Boston-based national nonprofit organization that's helping states revise their adult-education programs.
Studies have found that when low-skilled adults get career skills and remedial education at the same time, they're more likely to stick with the course work. That's partly because they can envision the immediate benefits of their efforts, said Endel, of Jobs For the Future.
… Merging job training and literacy skills was pioneered in Washington state in 2004 through Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training. Designed to serve the state's growing non-English-speaking immigrant community, I-BEST offered English as a Second Language and vocational training simultaneously. Once a pilot program at 10 community colleges, I-BEST now operates in all 34 of Washington state's community and technical colleges. Evaluations have found that I-BEST students were 15 times more likely to complete their job training than other students with similar deficiencies in standard adult education programs were.
McClatchy News, February 6, 2012
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/02/06/138037/states-shake-up-adult-education.html
Public invited to help plan for EvCC’s future
Mukilteo Beacon, March 22, 2012
College students to search Japanese Gulch for artifacts
Archaeology students from EdCC and EvCC will participate in an excavation in Mukilteo's Japanese Gulch. Edmonds and Everett community colleges plan to offer archaeology classes this summer with a rare opportunity for students to work on a real local dig.
The Herald, March 23, 2012
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20120323/NEWS01/703239901
TRENDS| HORIZONS | EDUCATION
Hispanics are crucial to college completion goals
Washington Post, March 23, 2012
Disability Lifeline Saves More Money Than It Costs
The Stranger, March 22, 2012
POLITICS | LOCAL, STATE, NATIONAL
Officials explore accounting change to fix budget
Everett Herald, March 22, 2012
FRIDAY LITE NEWS
'Hi! I'm a Nutria' ~ In an animated short, a rodent in Washington State defends criticism that he is an invasive species and asks humans, "How long does it take to become a native?"
Jedi Kittens and Jedi Kittens Strike Back
Today’s Lites courtesy of loyal readers and contributors.
Compiled by the Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges
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Sherry Nelson | communications and outreach associate
Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges
1300 Quince St SE · PO Box 42495 · Olympia WA 98504-2495
slnelson@sbctc.edu | p (360) 704-4308 | f (360) 704-4415 | c (206) 369-6509
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