Adult Education Responds to Workforce Needs With a Focus on Rider 82

Successful Transitions

For adult educators in Texas, a recurring challenge is building program capacity - without additional funding - to provide the foundation skills that prepare learners for successful transitions into post-secondary education and training. The opportunity to develop effective bridge programs that integrate adult and post-secondary education and training components has never been better. Two other stakeholders play crucial roles in preparing Texans for success role in the state’s economic growth and development: the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). THECB is the most likely route for adult learners seeking to continue their education. TWC administers funds that can defray the costs of post-secondary education and training. It is also the link to the business sector.

Currently, twenty-four community colleges in Texas serve as fiscal agents for adult education programs. In addition, many of the state’s other providers have strong community college partners or affiliations. However, this alone does not solve the problem. College faculty must actively engage the adult learners and help them to cross the threshold into the college experience. Legislation passed by the 80th State Legislative Session (Identified as Rider 50 by THECB and as Rider 77 by TEA (Texas Education Agency) calls for the alignment of adult basic education and post-secondary education in order to increase the number, success, and persistence of students transitioning to post-secondary education. The legislation identifies the THECB as the lead agency in developing and implementing immediate and long-range coordinated action plans to align the programs and address at a minimum the following:

1. outreach and advising
2. assessment, curriculum, and instruction
3. persistence interventions
4. state level accountability systems to monitor performance
5. service provider level performance measures and program evaluation
6. standards to enhance data quality and sharing among state agencies and service providers
7. survey of students and service providers to identify other structural issues and barriers
8. grants (including federal and other funds) to maximize effective use of limited General Revenue funds

TEA and TWC are required to assist in assessing the current and future demand for adult education in Texas, the types of programs and instruction necessary to serve current and projected future populations of adult learners, and the social and economic outcomes of providing varying levels of adult education services in Texas. The state’s Workforce Literacy Resource Team, established in 2005 as a response to the Workforce Development System’s Strategic Action Plan, will continue to play a vital role in bringing state level representatives together to address four key strategies:

1. Using collaborative planning in designing programs for adult education learners’ transitions to college level studies and technical training
2. Increasing service options to particular segments of the customer population
3. Increasing employers access and utilization of industry sector approaches
4. Providing intensive professional development for those tasked with serving those most in need