On Thu Jan 26 08:15:37 CST 2012, Susan Lyons <SLYONS@MAIL.NYSED.GOV> wrote:

FYI. >>> Susan Lyons 1/9/2012 1:50 PM >>>

GEDTS has invalidated the NYS Education Department’s use of a “200″ score for candidates whose Writing Test had a non-passing essay score.  As of Wednesday, November 16, 2011, the standard score for Writing Test cases that had a non-passing essay score is “0″.  A hyphen (-) will continue to be used in cases where a candidate did not take a specific section of a test.

On Wed Jan 25 16:00:20 CST 2012, Kathleen Sheehy <KSHEEHY@MAIL.NYSED.GOV> wrote: Hi everyone, Attached is the most recent Skills Tutor Usage Report from January 23, 2012.

1)    Section 1 is the summary which provides overall usage at each site.

2)    Section 2 is the Module Usage which graphs the usage by discipline and then provides usage by module (Product Usage).  *** The Product Usage lets the reader know if certain modules are not being utilized.

3)    Section 3 is the gains section with both a chart and a graph for each site.

4)    Section 4 is the Site Usage Overtime, which has a line graph of usage for each site, and

5)    Section 5 is the Teacher Usage which shows which teachers are using the program.  I will note that I pay particular attention to the Last Login Date and the Last Run Report.

Thank you.

Kathy

Kathy Sheehy, Associate

The New York State Education Department

Adult Education Programs & Policy (AEPP)

Rm 1622

99 Washington Ave.

Albany, NY  12234

(518) 474-8940

Fax:  (518) 486-1751

Greetings!

Attached please find the nomination packet for our Professional Awards.  We are accepting nominations for the Lawrence Levin Award, the NYACCE Service Award and recommendations for the Lifetime Member Award.

Nominations are due by March 9, 2012.  If you have any questions, I can be reached via e-mail or at (585) 966-2721.  Thanks. Nicole Viggiano

Two Great Upcoming Events:

Unraveling Racism Training & Madison Theatre Musical My Home Town February 3-5 Molloy College just opened a stunning first-class theater for professional performances (click here to see coverage by the NY times  [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=c8azt8cab&et=1109108076378&s=4393&e=001QtDogSccCujndMtOh6MowCp7UDkXa_sD5MH48_27hGSe-LMYc4F_LQrIeKDaKfUkC_yfYvLhLKvJDWJQmeJBCloticRkAuZYqaWnERa3TDhTBOkC-oggk0Nbl3PH6p_K4udEvuJew8CaBqFoeoRCeiQqx8VgHqql4KX5Gt10FfMpXrhz86GnXQ_rtIVVk5PIs8SnYyPvmFKE6V-GMyBmR2A-fEeamt0vjNmlZbAFGfkppWP3p6sCcFaDf5JF6J3cUvEgpg2ScjT2joKPKr6plmhVpbJxjZ2ynPe5wY2SMY6VlZRqm2uNbgmuuNU6BUbL]).

The first musical at the Madison Theatre will be “My Home Town”, performed by an all-black cast and created by an all-black creative team.  The story follows the ups and downs of three soul singers heading to the Big Apple.

What better way to celebrate the beginning of Black History Month then by supporting such an important production? By using our special discount code (ER2012) at check-out you will also be supporting our work.  Tickets are only $20 and the Madison Theatre will generously donate half of the proceeds to ERASE Racism.  Don’t miss out on this special opportunity.  Buy your tickets today!

Buy Tickets [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=c8azt8cab&et=1109108076378&s=4393&e=001QtDogSccCuibAp3n_jvlsjTdf6SpCY8k9i65B5QQm4S11mA8v3ja7wN5oHej6--Cm9MKubWblP-v4C35Bfq0rRQ9B0NYGqYnWTl-XkrR_vkWCaKRfXjB6lRaJTLeh53EGpAK6cZx3vn5OQr1dHL3kQr67DjhdJj4] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Unraveling Racism Training March 8 & 9 (Deadline for registration: February 3) March Unraveling Racism Training [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=c8azt8cab&et=1109108076378&s=4393&e=001QtDogSccCujhjvNw7_WBbnKRGzqQGgmkQobcHYPpyrtYNwx0a9__QWYIl8jPrGB7DcqLuz-ZtuL-LK1QhgBpBvl5S1FIx_EHS4cqiMX2_to9aRmP8626bzEAvOJ-mXT_05hxswNHh2vZ3QmZu8IE7w==]

ERASE Racism’s Unraveling Racism Training (URT) provides the knowledge and understanding necessary to address issues of  racial inequities.  Through a variety of activities participants learn  about the effects of white privilege, internalized racism and oppression, and are provided with a safe and supportive environment to  reflect upon their own experiences.  The session includes interactive exercises, small  group discussions and self-exploration.

Sign up for the next URT today! [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=c8azt8cab&et=1109108076378&s=4393&e=001QtDogSccCujhjvNw7_WBbnKRGzqQGgmkQobcHYPpyrtYNwx0a9__QWYIl8jPrGB7DcqLuz-ZtuL-LK1QhgBpBvl5S1FIx_EHS4cqiMX2_to9aRmP8626bzEAvOJ-mXT_05hxswNHh2vZ3QmZu8IE7w==]

Listen to what Larry Levy, Executive Director of Hofstra University’s National Center for Suburban Studies, has to say about his URT experience Unraveling Racism Training, Lawrence Levy [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=c8azt8cab&et=1109108076378&s=4393&e=001QtDogSccCug8XJ3ZvqJmHt_3-1PGTOvnyfHeYmoTYgW1qUIr1M2xjmJ9VYx55LURKCgkTSmjXf6Tgh1vb_6WPwjIECblpEhm7OqNQjw-CwE6tPjPNll9Wg==] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This email was sent to murphy@li-raen.org by info@eraseracismny.org.

ERASE Racism | 6800 Jericho Turnpike | Suite 109W | Syosset | NY  | 11791-4401

Dear Program Administrators:

Attached is a schedule of upcoming NRS Conference Calls between each of the Long Island programs, the NRS Accountability Specialist, Rosemary Matt  and the New York State Education Department (NYSED).  These 1/2 hour calls are being held to review FY11/12 program data and will look for completeness of Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 data.  The intention is to help all programs identify and address any current problems with their NRS data as we move further into the FY11/12 year.

This is a statewide initiative and scheduling the calls was a challenging task; please make every effort to be available for your scheduled time.  If you have any questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thanks in advance for your cooperation.

Patricia M. Mooney, Ph.D

New York State Education Department

Adult Education Programs & Policy (AEPP)

99 Washington Avenue

One Commerce Plaza

Room 1622

Albany, N.Y. 12234

(518) 474-8940 (518) 486-1751(fax) pmooney@mail.nysed.gov

On Tue Jan 24 08:38:56 CST 2012, Kathleen Sheehy <KSHEEHY@MAIL.NYSED.GOV> wrote: Hi everyone,

Attached is the AEPP Technology and Distance Learning Newsletter for January 2012.  Please  distribute to your program managers. Thank you. Kathy Kathy Sheehy, Associate The New York State Education Department Adult Education Programs & Policy (AEPP) Rm 1622 99 Washington Ave. Albany, NY  12234 (518) 474-8940 Fax:  (518) 486-1751 ksheehy@mail.nysed.gov

Dear Leaders in the Adult ESL field, A new brief (3-minute) informational video is now available on the video training series, “Teaching ESL to Adults: Classroom Approaches in Action,” produced as a service to the field by the New American Horizons Foundation. You can see it at this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fiMRsVVKKY&feature=g-upl Or you can view the informational video on the home page of our website: www.newamericanhorizons.org I invite you to share these links with others who might be interested. Thanks for spreading the word! Best regards,

Barbara Allaire

Barbara Allaire New American Horizons Foundation PO Box 600408 Newtonville MA 02460 barbara.allaire@gmail.com 507-312-4312 www.newamericanhorizons.org

Program Administrators:
Please see email below and educate our legislators.  I’ll see you tomorrow at our Program Administrators’ meeting (1-20-12).

Martin Martin G. Murphy, Director LI-RAEN 631-293-3150 ——————-
Message: 1 Date: Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:31:17 -0500 From: David Rosen <djrosen123@gmail.com> To: National Literacy Advocacy List sponsored by AAACE   <aaace-nla@lists.literacytent.org> Subject: [AAACE-NLA] Urgent: Your action needed now Colleagues, Please read this important Advocacy Blog Action Alert below from the National Coalition for Literacy. “Tell Congress: Do Not Include HS Diploma GED Requirement in Unemployment Insurance Extension”. The deadline for acting is January 24th. Please contact your Members of Congress now. David J. Rosen Adult Literacy Advocate djrosen123@gmail.com Congress will soon continue its debate on the extension of Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits?but it may include a provision that?s alarming Americans nationwide.

House Republicans are expected to once again push for a condition that would “‘deny UI benefits to any worker who lacks a high school diploma or GED and is not enrolled in classes to get one or the other’ regardless of how long the person worked or whether he or she has access to adult education,” according to a recent report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP). House Republicans plan to push their UI extension agenda in time for the President?s State of the Union address, according to CQ?s Roll Call. Adult educators understand the necessity of an education:  it helps adults get and keep jobs with family sustaining wages and lead richer, fuller lives. But what is not acceptable is to demand that those who have effectively contributed to the system for years through the payment of UI taxes “and who then were laid off due to no fault of their own” be denied UI on the basis of their education level. It is at best, mean-spirited and at worst, unjust.

Unlike other policies that open doors to adult education in order to boost education levels and help individuals attain self-sufficiency, this provision also offers no funding to assist unemployed workers to obtain a GED credential. As such, this requirement is an unfunded mandate on an already overburdened system. If this proposed provision were in the best interests of adults and families, additional funding and much needed supports would be put into place simultaneously focused on opening the doors to more adult education programs. As it stands, this UI provision would be the wrong policy needed at a time when we really should be trying to do all that we can to help adults get back to work.  Its intent is punitive and goes against meaningful adult education reform. We need your help to turn this around! Contact Your Members of Congress: Deadline: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 By Phone or Email   * Call or write your U.S. Representative and Senators today. (Take action through NCL’s Facebook page for greater impact.)   * Ask them to Say No to requiring a HS diploma or GED in any unemployment insurance extension for 2012.   * Use 1-2 of the suggested talking points and speak from your experience. Share local waiting list data, if applicable.

Post on Your U.S. Representative’s and Senators’ Facebook Walls Via Facebook:   * Go to your House Member’s Facebook page and click the “Like” button at the top.   * Then post this message to his or her wall: “Please say no to any UI extension plan that includes a HS diploma or GED requirement in order to maintain unemployment insurance benefits.”

Tweet to Your Members of Congress Via Twitter:   * Search to see if your U.S. Representative and Senators are on Twitter. Follow them.   * Then send a tweet like this, using the #FairUI hashtag: (@insert your House Member’s or Senator’s Twitter handle) Please say no to any UI extension plan that includes a HS diploma or #GED requirement in order to maintain benefits. #FairUI For example: @repsandylevin Please say no to any UI extension plan that includes a HS diploma or #GED requirement in order to maintain benefits. #FairUI Blog About It!

Program Administrators: Attached please find information on a USDOL grant opportunit being forwarded from NYSED.  The USDOL “announces the availabilit of approximately $98.5 million i Workforce Innovation Fund grants authorized by the Full-Yea Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 (P.L. 112-10). These fund support innovative approaches to the design and delivery of employment and training services that generate long-term improvements in the performance of the public workforce system, both in terms of outcomes for job seeker and employer customers and cost-effectiveness” (including education gains). Please review the information carefully and if you have any questions, please contact our office. Also, next Friday (1-20-12) is our Program Administrators’  Meeting here at Farmingdale State College.  Please note the room change announced in a recent email (we are meeting in the Campus Commons at 12noon, directions :Farmingdale Campus Commons Building is located in the same building as the First Stop Cafe, between Horton Hall, the construction site, and Bookstore (you can see the building from front door of Conklin Hall; the room is the SBDC Conference Room.). PLEASE NOTE: On Tuesday, January 24, 2012, Dr. Thomas Sticht will be conducting a day-long workshop entitled, “CAREER AND POSTSECONDARY PATHWAYS BRIDGED BY CONTEXTUALIZED EDUCATION AND  WORKPLACE LITERACY”.  This workshop is a follow-up to last year’s Transitions to Post-secondary Education and Training conference and is open to all WIA partners (of course including our adult  education programs).  Please register for this workshop as it is one of NYSED’s annual priorities and a great opportunity for adult education to continue to coordinate services within the LI regional workforce development system.  Details are below. Date: Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Time: 08:30:00 – 04:00:00
Location: Melville Marriott, Melville, NY Overview: The first decade of the 21st century has witnessed a plethora of new projects, initiatives, and reports calling for reforms to adult basic education, workforce development, vocational training, and developmental education. Most of these activities and reports are calling for changes in the way basic skills, occupational skills, and postsecondary skills are taught.  In all these activities, two major changes in instruction are called for: 1) the change from decontextualized to contextualized instruction, and 2) the change from sequential programs of instruction such as basic skills followed by vocational education, to integrated programs in which basic skills and vocational or college academic skills are taught together.
Lastly, on February 14 & 15, 2012, Dr. Robin Lovrien will be conducting the LD and ESOL workshops discussed at our last few Program Administrators’ Meetings.  Please share the information  we sent out earlier describing the initiative (it is also on our  website) with your staff.  The content of the workshops is relevant for all ESOL teachers. Thanks and I’ll see you next Friday.

Martin

On Tue Jan 10 11:02:22 CST 2012, “Kolawole, Adebola O (LABOR)” <Adebola.Kolawole@labor.ny.gov> wrote: Good Afternoon. There were approximately 685 new job postings on Job Central -  www.jobcentral.com/ny<; (the New ” target=”_blank”http://www.jobcentral.com/ny> (the New York State Job Bank) in Nassau and Suffolk counties between 01/02/2012 and 01/09/2012. Some postings may indicate multiple openings.  As always, hundreds of open healthcare positions can be found through links to individual Catholic Health Services facilities (St. Catherine’s, St Charles, Good Sam, St. Francis, Maryhaven, Mercy, etc) at www.chsli.org<; ” target=”_blank”http://www.chsli.org> and North Shore LIJ facilities at www.nslijcareers.com<;.  Remember, ” target=”_blank”http://www.nslijcareers.com>.  Remember, all businesses listed on “Jobs at a Glance” have posted multiple (3 or more) openings within the past week. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or comments. Adebola Kolawole or Heather Battaglia 631-687-4883                                631-687-4871 Labor Services Representatives NYS Department of Labor 160 South Ocean Avenue Patchogue, NY 11772