LVA News of the Day

WHAT'S NEW AT LVA? .....

NEW STUDENT ASSESSMENT PROGRAM
LVA has embarked on a new testing program designed to improve the way we monitor student performance and to meet the new federal and state accountability standards.

The New Jersey Department of Labor, the agency that overseas adult literacy state grants, determined that specific tests must be utilized to meet federal requirements. These tests include, but were not limited to the Test of Adult Basic Education (T.A.B.E.) for those with limited reading skills and the Oral Best Interview for those with limited English speaking and listening skills. After months of review, the LVA Board and staff selected these two tests for our Basic Literacy and ESOL students.

These tests provide for both pre and post testing of all students. In that these are new tests and in that LVA served more than 1000 students in the previous year, the task of pre testing most of these students (some had left the program) was daunting. As such, very specific strategies and procedures had to be developed to pre test all of our active students by September of this year. This included sequestering funds to purchase the necessary testing materials to successfully implement this major change. It also included the development and implementation of strategies and procedures.

NEW CURRICULUM
LVA has recently unveiled its new curriculum for the coming year that is consistent with federal and state adult education requirements. These new requirements are embodied in “Equipped for the Future” (EFF)… a national framework of standards for adult education. Within this framework, students must have the opportunity to gain proficiency in basic literacy and life skills and processes as part of their educational program.

Using EFF as its foundation, the new LVA curriculum focuses on integrating learning outcomes in English Language (reading, writing, speaking, listening) and Civics Education.

The new LVA curriculum, which is expected to serve as a model for other literacy organizations, is defined in the “LVA Curriculum Guide” (formally introduced at the LVA Educational Symposium held on July 13, 2005). More than 30 participants (LVA staff, tutors. English Conversation facilitators and Field Representatives, as well as Community partners) engaged in an interactive learning experience as they became familiar with the contents of the guide and how it can be used by professional staff and by LVA tutors to enhance the learning process of adults involved in their programs.

What is the New Curriculum Guide
The LVA Curriculum Guide, along with the English Language and Civics Education Learning Materials (e.g. “Foundations” and “Voices of Freedom” published by Longman Press), addresses the learning outcomes that are important for all adult students to know. The guide is divided into 14 UNITS, each with a leaning theme that unites the learning outcomes of both English Education and Civics Education. Each UNIT (always presented on a single page) can be utilized to plan lessons, to record assessments and to report instructional hours for each student.

The learning outcomes that are outlined in the LVA Curriculum Guide can be taught at a “beginning”, “intermediate” and “advanced” level for both English Language and Civics Education. This means that regardless of the learning level of your student (the level at which they are able to read or write or speak or listen or understand English), the learning outcomes outlined in the LVA Curriculum Guide are valid.

It is expected that your student should progress through the guide at his/her own rate and according to his/her own ability. It may take some students hours to complete UNIT 1, while it may take other students weeks to do the same.

LVA Tutors will provided with and will utilize the LVA Lesson Planning Packet to plan their lessons, this process has been made so simple, yet comprehensive for tutors.

To aid LVA tutors in the implementation of this new curriculum, Field Representatives will be utilized. They will work with tutors on implementing this new approach to instruction, as well as post testing their students to determine the degree to which he/she is improving in the learning outcomes (defined by the new LVA Curriculum Guide).

Our LVA staff has worked so hard on this, they all deserve our gratitude. Thanks to Kathleen, Linda, Barbara, Ginger, Doug and Cristhian for a job well done!!!

OUR NEWEST PARTNER

LVA is proud to announce a new partnership with Church of the Epiphany in Orange, NJ, headed by Dr. Lauren Harrison.


NEW OFFICES
Reorganized staffing and new offices have enable LVA to support additional services that are needed. Our offices now include:

Caldwell College, 11 Ryerson Road
Caldwell, NJ 07006
973-228-8800 / Fax: 973-228-4411
Email: LVAessex@verizon.net

Passaic Public Library, 195 Gregory Avenue
Passaic, NJ 07055
973-470-0039 / Fax: 973-470-0098
Email: LVApassaic@verizon.net