The second meeting of the Workforce Creation and Adult Education Transition Council was held October 7, 2008, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab, Kosiakoff Center, in Laurel Maryland.
Council Co-Chairs Secretary Thomas E. Perez and Superintendent Nancy S. Grasmick offered introductory remarks, thanking participants for their work so far.
Vision Statement
Council member Chris Eddings said that following the Council's first meeting in July, he wanted to synthesize the thoughts offered during the visioning exercise into a statement that summarized the council's vision for adult education and workforce development in Maryland. He proposed the following statement:
- Maryland will have a flexible and integrated education and training system for adult learners - supporting lifelong learning, business growth, a globally competitive workforce, and economic prosperity for the State and its residents.
Council member Dan McDermott proposed adopting the statement as written.
Council member Karen Brown said the statement as proposed makes the assumption that everyone has a high school credential. Council member Shirley Bigley LaMotte suggested the statement should say "…supporting
literacy and lifelong learning…". Chris Eddings noted that someone else suggested adding
"self-sufficiency" as well.
The statement was amended and adopted by the Council as follows:
- Maryland will have a flexible and integrated education and training system for adult learners - supporting literacy, self-sufficiency, lifelong learning, business growth, a globally competitive workforce, and economic prosperity for the State and its residents.
Consultant Presentations
Regie Stites, SRI International: Research Update
The presentation looked at data related to the themes from the July 29 visioning exercise: expanding access to programs, enhancing professional development opportunities and linking education to workforce opportunities. It also examined best practices from around the country in each of these areas.
Questions Raised:
- Sen. Middleton asked if it is possible to utilize volunteers/retirees to increase the capacity of the teaching force for adult education. Regie suggested it would be difficult to do so, because teachers in adult education programs require specific knowledge, skills and training.
- Dr. Grasmick cautioned that it is important to note differences between correctional education programs and other adult education, because correctional education administrators are required to provide specific support for special needs populations.
- Jason Perkins-Cohen asked if it would be possible for the Council to get more detailed information about the best practices program examples used in the presentation.
- Secretary Perez noted that the Casey Foundation has provided some funding for site visits to other states to examine their programs and best practices.
Ed Strong, Corporation for a Skilled Workforce: "Transforming Michigan's Adult Learning Infrastructure, Then and Now"
The presentation examined lessons learned in Michigan while that state works to break down barriers between adult education and workforce programs and provide better coordination.
Questions Raised:
- Dr. Grasmick pointed out that Maryland has a coordinating entity that coordinates all services from children throughout various agencies, and that the presentation seemed to imply that Michigan's initiative is more of a coordinating effort. Michigan's adult learning and workforce programs are housed under a single umbrella, but had previously been uncoordinated.
- Dr. Grasmick also expressed concern that the presentation did not cover correctional education services. Ed said Michigan is not yet discussing how to bring correctional education into the coordinated system.
- Del. Hecht asked if the presentation was meant to profile Michigan as a model program, and echoed Dr. Grasmick's concern that the Michigan example does not address correctional education's role.
Cindy Borden and Penny Richardson, NorthStar Correctional Education Services
Cindy and Penny were introduced to the Council and gave a brief overview of their role in working with the Council. They will return to Maryland in the final week of October to conduct interviews with stakeholders in correctional education and examine existing programs to assess the current state of correctional education in Maryland. They will write a report detailing their findings and make recommendations about what is working well and what needs to change.
Work Group Updates
Adult Education Work Group
Discussion:
- Council Member Shirley Bigley LaMotte noted that the group had a large number of preliminary recommendations, and asked whether they might be able to prioritize, given limited funding availability, and determine the top five or six recommendations. Work Group Co-Chair Patty Keeton said some of the recommendations would be combined before being finalized, and that the group would work to identify the top five or 10 recommendations before issuing its final report to the Council.
- Referring to the group's list of challenges, Sen. Middleton asked about unfulfilled data requests and whether the group was having trouble getting information from state agencies. Patty Keeton said everyone has been cooperative, but that some data has been difficult to obtain.
Correctional Education Work Group
Discussion:
- Senator Middleton asked how the work of the correctional education consultants would fit in to the Council's work. Work Group Co-Chair Eric Seleznow said their assessment of the current system would be included in the final Transition Council report, and that it would give DLLR a clear understanding of the existing program and how it is working.
- Dr. Grasmick said there is a problem with MSDE continuing to award diplomas for GED students - as mandated by the legislation - despite no longer having oversight of the programs. Patty Keeton said the GED and External Diploma Programs are national credentials with national curriculums, and are not created by but simply administered by the State.
Funding Work Group
- Council member Rob Green asked if it has been determined what dollars will transfer from MSDE to DLLR when the programs transfer next year. Work Group Co-Chair Andy Moser said the two agencies are working together to identify the funding for the relevant programs.
- Both Chris Eddings and Jason Perkins-Cohen emphasized the importance of data collection in ensuring accountability and determining which programs the state should fund.
- Shirley Bigley LaMotte asked if the Council could get some clarification about federal funding requirements and how those requirements are passed on to local providers.
- Secretary Perez noted that there are many creative funding options - tax incentives for employers, for example - and there may be a need for a public education campaign to maximize use of those options.
Internal Administration Work Group
- Council Member Karen Brown asked when funded programs should submit applications for continuation grants for the next fiscal year. Kathy Oliver said the process may begin earlier this year because of the coming transfer, and that the group will establish a timeline.
In Attendance:
Secretary Thomas Perez, Co-Chair
Superintendent Nancy Grasmick, Co-Chair
Sen. Thomas M. Middleton, Council Member
Sen. Katherine Klausmeier, Council Member
Del. C. Sue Hecht, Council Member
Chris Eddings, Council Member
Shirley Bigley LaMotte, Council Member
Rev. Dr. Karen Brown, Council Member
Melinda Brown, Council Member
Barbara Denman, Council Member
Rob Green, Council Member
Shelley Johnson, Council Member
Patricia Keeton, Council Member
Dan McDermott, Council Member
Jason Perkins-Cohen, Council Member
Devon Dodson, Representing Secretary David Edgerley
Patrick Hogan, Representing Chancellor William E. Kirwan
George Reid, Representing Secretary James Lyons
Richard Rosenblatt, Representing Secretary Gary Maynard
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