Our School Site Council / WASC Institution-wide Committee will meet today from 1:30-3Pm at the BESST Center in room 116.
Here is the meeting’s PowerPoint, which includes the meeting’s agenda and goals.
Posted in WASC - All Categories | Tagged WASC Institution-wide committee meeting | Leave a Comment »
Last semester we had the privilege of receiving some wonderful tech tips from our colleagues in the San Diego Community College District. This semester they are hard at work again, providing us with many useful technology tricks and tips that we can benefit from. Be sure to check in every Tuesday to get the latest tip! If you just can’t wait until Tuesday, you can always check out their wonderful tips from last semester in this post: TUESDAY TECH TIPS. See you on Tuesdays!
- 09-15-09: Quick Window to Type a Website
- 09-22-09: Quickly Find Internet Address Box and Last Address
- 09-29-09: Connecting to Website Addresses
- 10-06-09: Correcting Spelling Errors Quickly
- 10-13-09: Correcting Punctuation and Grammar
- 10-20-09: Three Font Shortcuts
- 10-27-09: Copy/Paste Shortcut
- 11-03-09: How to Use Print Screen
- 11-10-09: Tab Key
- 11-17-09: Windows Key
Posted in Tech Tips | Leave a Comment »
Mark your calendars, Team! 
Monday, November 16
- First day of Session II
- Fire Drill, 6:30pm, BESST Site
Tuesday, November 17
- Night registration for Session II, 5:30-7:30pm, BESST
Wednesday, November 18
- WASC Team/School Site Council, Room 116, 1:30-3:00
Thursday, November 19
- Night registration for Session II, 5:30-7:30pm, BESST
- Last day for Student Transfers
Friday, November 20
- Registration for Session II, 8am-12pm, BESST
Week of November 23-27
- No School – Thanksgiving Break
Monday, November 30
- Earthquake Drill, 2:15pm, BESST Site
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | Leave a Comment »
As we prepare for Session II, we revisit our commitment to daily goal setting and self reflection. The following post was originally published March 24, 2008.
How do we weave goal setting and self-reflection into the daily fabric of our instructional practice? Read on for some practical ideas. Continue Reading »
Posted in Persistence | Tagged goal setting | Leave a Comment »
CA Adult Education Digest is a monthly news and information digest for California adult educators.
OTAN Digest for Teachers keeps adult ed. teachers up-to-date on 1) online professional development offerings, 2) web-based resources for the adult-ed teacher, and 3) current adult ed. news.
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | Tagged CA Adult Education Digest | Leave a Comment »
As we approach Session II, we want to remind all ESL and ABE teachers, administrators, and office assistants at Newport-Mesa Adult School that our student transfer policy and procedure are as follows…
Student Transfer Policy:
Transfer decisions must be based on multiple assessment data:
- optional text-based pretest (administered first week of class)
- CASAS Reading pretest (administered during registration)
- Speaking assessment (administered by teacher first two weeks of class)
- Listening assessment (administered by teacher first two weeks of class)
- Writing assessment (administered by teacher first two weeks of class)
We believe that most students are appropriately placed in ESL levels — thanks to our thorough appraisal process (oral test, reading appraisal test, and scoring rubric).
Student Transfer Procedure:
Inevitably, some students are still misplaced. When this happens, please follow our Student Transfer Procedure.
Thanks for following our ESL Student Transfer Policy and Procedure :)
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Last semester we had the privilege of receiving some wonderful tech tips from our colleagues in the San Diego Community College District. This semester they are hard at work again, providing us with many useful technology tricks and tips that we can benefit from. Be sure to check in every Tuesday to get the latest tip! If you just can’t wait until Tuesday, you can always check out their wonderful tips from last semester in this post: TUESDAY TECH TIPS. See you on Tuesdays!
- 09-15-09: Quick Window to Type a Website
- 09-22-09: Quickly Find Internet Address Box and Last Address
- 09-29-09: Connecting to Website Addresses
- 10-06-09: Correcting Spelling Errors Quickly
- 10-13-09: Correcting Punctuation and Grammar
- 10-20-09: Three Font Shortcuts
- 10-27-09: Copy/Paste Shortcut
- 11-03-09: How to Use Print Screen
- 11-10-09: Tab Key
Posted in Tech Tips | Leave a Comment »
Learn about the CA Adult Education strategic plan at http://www.otan.us/strategicplanning/index.html. The Needs Assessment is now posted.
The strategic plan will use a system-wide perspective in addressing the need for adult education in California. The plan will reflect an assessment of the context for adult education that considers economic, demographic “driving forces”, statewide educational needs, the federal and state policy environment, system strengths, and comparative information from other states.
Central to the planning process is defining a strategic position that describes the unique value-added role of adult education within the state’s education system and economy.
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | Tagged strategic plan | Leave a Comment »
Mark your calendars, Team! Continue Reading »
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | Leave a Comment »
Today begins the last week of our first session of managed enrollment. How are we doing? Our attendance numbers are down…but our persister rates and average gains are up! Remember, at NMUSD Adult School, we’re about SUCCESS…not just access!
To determine and compare our rates of persistence, we identified the percentage of paired scores at the end of Post Test I Week, 2009 and compared it with the percentage of paired scores at the end of Post Test I Week, 2008. We also looked at a comparison of our average gains. Click here for the data.
Posted in Assessments | Tagged paired scores, average gains | 1 Comment »
This evening’s Team Huddle & PLC will be in room 116 at 8:10pm. Please dismiss your class at 8:00pm. Here’s a preview of the agenda.
We are a dynamic community of learners and leaders!
We share to impart, impact, improve and empower!
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | Leave a Comment »
Last semester we had the privilege of receiving some wonderful tech tips from our colleagues in the San Diego Community College District. This semester they are hard at work again, providing us with many useful technology tricks and tips that we can benefit from. Be sure to check in every Tuesday to get the latest tip! If you just can’t wait until Tuesday, you can always check out their wonderful tips from last semester in this post: TUESDAY TECH TIPS. See you on Tuesdays!
- 9-15-09: Quick Window to Type a Website
- 9-22-09: Quickly Find Internet Address Box and Last Address
- 9-29-09: Connecting to Website Addresses
- 10-6-09: Correcting Spelling Errors Quickly
- 10-13-09: Correcting Punctuation and Grammar
- 10-20-09: Three Font Shortcuts
- 10-27-09: Copy/Paste Shortcut
- 11-3-09: How to Use Print Screen
Posted in Tech Tips | Leave a Comment »
Mark your calendars, Team! Continue Reading »
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | Leave a Comment »
During the Drill
- Drop, Cover and Hold On!
- Follow our BESST Site Emergency Plan, 2009
- Consult our Emergency Drill Checklist for Teachers
- Attach your All-Clear (green) or Not-Clear (red) sign on your door
- Lead students to assigned assembly areas via our evacuation route
- First student in line carries the room number sign
- Complete the Post Evacuation Report on your Emergency Clipboard
- Wait for the All-Clear signal from the Command Center
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Dear NMUSD Adult School Students,
Our school needs your ideas! Please consider joining our 2009-10 School Site Council. Meetings will be conducted in English; therefore, proficiency in English is helpful.
Information and Letter of Interest
Benefits:
- You learn about school policy.
- You build leadership and employability skills.
- You share ideas on school and program improvement.
At NMUSD Adult School, we value our students not only as learners but leaders in our community. Our mission is to provide our learners and leaders the skills necessary to participate effectively as citizens, workers, and family members and be contributing members of the local and global community. We want our learners and leaders to ’deal critically and creatively with reality and discover how to participate in the transformation of their world.’ (Freire) Serving on our School Site Council is the perfect opportunity to practice these skills and make a difference in our school and local community.” – Martha Rankin
We are a dynamic community of learners and leaders!
Sincerely,
NMUSD Adult School Instructors and Staff
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | Leave a Comment »
Today’s Team Huddle & PLC will be in room 116. Here’s the agenda.
We are a dynamic community of learners and leaders!
We share to impart, impact, improve and empower!
Team Huddle and PLC Meeting Minutes (day)Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | Leave a Comment »
From OTAN’s CA Adult Education Digest (#18):
The Fall 2009 issue of CALPROgress contains articles by state and national leaders examining the role of adult education as an indispensible partner to districts and communities, collaborations between adult schools and community colleges, collaboration with the workforce development system, and collaborations in professional development, among other topics. Download a PDF copy.
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | 1 Comment »
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | Leave a Comment »
Last semester we had the privilege of receiving some wonderful tech tips from our colleagues in the San Diego Community College District. This semester they are hard at work again, providing us with many useful technology tricks and tips that we can benefit from. Be sure to check in every Tuesday to get the latest tip! If you just can’t wait until Tuesday, you can always check out their wonderful tips from last semester in this post: TUESDAY TECH TIPS. See you on Tuesdays!
Posted in Tech Tips | Leave a Comment »
November 2 is a non-student day for our K-12 partners. All day classified personnel (including Infant-Toddler staff) attend trainings at the District. Historically, Adult School day attendance is lower on non-student days. So let’s maximize this time!
On November 2, ABE & ESL morning classes will have a “late-start” day so we can meet as a PLC.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Inform students that teacher-directed instruction starts at 9am. You may encourage students to come and work on an independent project from 8am-9am.
- Whittier teachers join BESST Day teachers in room 116 at 8am SHARP.
- PLC meeting – 8am-8:45am
Reminder: 1st session is nearing completion. Are you on pace?
All-Star III Pacing Plan 09_10
We are a dynamic community of learners and leaders. We share to impart, impact, improve and empower!
Update posted 11/02/09 at 4pm- Team Huddle and PLC Meeting MinutesPosted in Adult School - NMUSD | Leave a Comment »
Mark your calendars, Team! Continue Reading »
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | Leave a Comment »
The CASAS post test is coming!
- November 3 (BESST)
- November 4 (Whittier)
Here’s how you can help your students prepare:
- Electronic practice tests are on our Teacher Resources page.
- Hard copies are in the office’s CASAS cupboard.
- Extra sample test items are found on the CASAS website. You must create a login username/password to access them.
Posted in Assessments | 1 Comment »
Adult Education at the BESST Center will have an Intruder “Lockdown” Drill on Monday, November 2nd at 7:55pm.
Please review the BESST Center Lockdown Procedures prior to next Monday’s drill. Thank you, Team!
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | 3 Comments »
Check out the new website http://californiaadultschools.org/cas/home.
Key Messages
- California Adult Schools develop skilled workers, strong families and successful communities by offering opportunities to learn at every stage of life.
- California Adult Schools make it convenient and affordable for all students to reach their educational, training, career and personal goals.
- With flexible schedules and convenient locations, the 370 California Adult Schools, which focus on personal as well as professional development, are accessible to more potential students than any other California adult education provider.
Here’s the quick link to Newport-Mesa Adult Education on the CA Adult Schools: Learning for Life website! We rock!!
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD, Marketing | Leave a Comment »
Are you seeking ways to be more
professionally active and involved?
Consider joining our
School Site Council Team!
Our NMUSD Adult School Site Council plays an important decision-making and advisory role at our school. Click on the following link to find out what our Site Council does and how you can get involved… Site Council Info & Letter of Interest
Posted in Site Council | Leave a Comment »
As a professional learning community, let’s keep informed of the latest research on adult education. Here are the links to a few publications that I’m reading right now… Hope you’ll join me! Continue Reading »
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In accordance with our NMUSD Adult School Attendance Policy, 2009-10, a student missing 4 consecutive classes without informing his/her teacher of the reason for the absence will be dropped from class. The student must wait until the next session to re-enroll.
When a student has a legitimate reason for absence, the teacher may complete this Absence Excuse Form and submit it to our registrar in the weekly attendance folder. We will not drop students who have an Absence Excuse Form on file.
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD, Attendance | Leave a Comment »
Last semester we had the privilege of receiving some wonderful tech tips from our colleagues in the San Diego Community College District. This semester they are hard at work again, providing us with many useful technology tricks and tips that we can benefit from. Be sure to check in every Tuesday to get the latest tip! If you just can’t wait until Tuesday, you can always check out their wonderful tips from last semester in this post: TUESDAY TECH TIPS. See you on Tuesdays!
Posted in Tech Tips | Leave a Comment »
It’s that time of year again!
You bet…It’s CBET (Community-Based English Tutoring).
The purpose of the CBET funds is to provide free or subsidized adult English instruction to parents or other community members who pledge to provide English tutoring to California school children with limited English proficiency.
During our CBET Pledge Drive, our ESL/Family Literacy students will pledge to tutor their children or other children in the community. Please reassure all participants that the information is kept confidential and will be reported in aggregate (i.e. 90% of program participants tutored their children for at least one hour per week).
Here are links to the Tutor Pledge forms; you can project these electronic forms on the SMART Board to increase student understanding:
Please have your students complete them and return the white copies to Martha or Mari no later than Friday, October 30, 2009. Thank you for playing such a vital role in our CBET implementation.
Posted in CBET, ESL | Leave a Comment »
Mark your calendars, Team! Continue Reading »
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | 1 Comment »
Session II is coming up. Here’s what you need to know for our upcoming registration.
2009-10 ESL/ABE/Computer Registration Schedule & Info
It’s important that you keep your attendance rosters clean, so that our office personnel can enroll the appropriate number of new students into our classes. Drop students who have 4 unexcused, consecutive absences. If you wish to excuse absences, please complete an Absence Excuse Form and return it to our office in your attendance folder. Without the Absence Excuse Form, we will drop non-attending students from your roster.
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | Leave a Comment »
Last semester we had the privilege of receiving some wonderful tech tips from our colleagues in the San Diego Community College District. This semester they are hard at work again, providing us with many useful technology tricks and tips that we can benefit from. Be sure to check in every Tuesday to get the latest tip! If you just can’t wait until Tuesday, you can always check out their wonderful tips from last semester in this post: TUESDAY TECH TIPS. See you on Tuesdays!
Posted in Tech Tips | Leave a Comment »
Posted in Attendance | Leave a Comment »
Mark your calendars, Team! Continue Reading »
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | Leave a Comment »
Last semester we had the privilege of receiving some wonderful tech tips from our colleagues in the San Diego Community College District. This semester they are hard at work again, providing us with many useful technology tricks and tips that we can benefit from. Be sure to check in every Tuesday to get the latest tip! If you just can’t wait until Tuesday, you can always check out their wonderful tips from last semester in this post: TUESDAY TECH TIPS. See you on Tuesdays!
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD, Tech Tips | Leave a Comment »
On Thursday, October 8, ESL teachers will join together as a Professional Learning Community to revisit our PLC commitments and meet by level teams to analyze student results from our common formative assessments.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Dismiss your class one hour early. We encourage you to assign a homework task on this day.
- Whittier teaching staff joins BESST Day teaching staff in room 114 at 10:15am. Infant-Toddler staff - You may use this time to prep and plan.
- BESST Evening teaching staff meets in room 116 at 8:10pm.
- Bring the results of your end-of-unit tests. Consult your level’s pacing plan.
All-Star III Pacing Plan 09_10
We are a dynamic community of learners and leaders. We share to impart, impact, improve and empower!
Posted in PLC Work | Leave a Comment »
One month into our 2009-10 school year, it seems a good time to stop for a moment and reflect on Our Mission and Beliefs (page 4 of our STEP).
How are we doing? Continue Reading »
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | Tagged mission and beliefs | Leave a Comment »
NMUSD launched a district wide implementation of Discovery Streaming Plus this year. This program integrates 9,000 full-length videos segmented into content-specific clips into any curriculum and is tied directly to CA and national standards. Mandi is our Site Discovery Leader (SDL); contact her at mspottsville@nmusd.us for more info.
Posted in Tech-Enhanced Inst. | Leave a Comment »
Mark your calendars, Team! Continue Reading »
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | 1 Comment »
from http://web.nmusd.us/nmusdshakeout
All schools and offices in Newport-Mesa Unified School District will participate in the statewide drill on October 15 at 10:15 a.m. All meeting guests, volunteers, parents and community visitors on our campuses at 10:15 a.m. on this date will be asked to evacuate the buildings in coordination with the drills. Thank you for your understanding. The entire drill and call in procedures should take 15-20 minutes.
For more info and resources… Continue Reading »
Posted in Emergency Prep | Tagged The Great CA ShakeOut | Leave a Comment »
Click here to download a detailed attendance grid for Week 13, 2009. You will see daily and weekly averages by section number (ESL and Workplace Readiness classes). You will also see daily/weekly average comparisons between 2009 and 2008 for Week 13 (ESL, Workplace Readiness, and HSD classes).
Data Digest for Week 13:
- Attendance at BESST Day site is up 24% this year from last year.
- Attendance at BESST Night site is down 3% 6% this year from last year.
- Attendance at Whittier site is down 10% this year from last year.
- Attendance in HSD program is up 28% this year from last year.
Posted in Attendance | Leave a Comment »
Last semester we had the privilege of receiving some wonderful tech tips from our colleagues in the San Diego Community College District. This semester they are hard at work again, providing us with many useful technology tricks and tips that we can benefit from. Be sure to check in every Tuesday to get the latest tip! If you just can’t wait until Tuesday, you can always check out their wonderful tips from last semester in this post: TUESDAY TECH TIPS. See you on Tuesdays!
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD, Tech Tips | 2 Comments »
Our ongoing professional development is a priority because it has a positive impact on student learning. We use our individual development plans (IDPs) as tools to reflect on our practices, develop our skills, achieve our goals, and further our school mission.
Here is our 2009-10 Individual Development Plan template. It is designed to support and advance our PLC work. Please submit your completed IDP to Bob or Martha by October 15, 2009 October 9, 2009.
Thank you, diligent Learners and Leaders! May you find rich insight and renewed passion in this time of goal setting and self reflection.
Posted in PLC Work | Leave a Comment »
We want our substitute teachers to have a productive and pleasant experience with our wonderful students at Newport-Mesa Adult School. To help with this goal, we created the first STEP:
Substitute Teacher Essentials Packet
We hope our STEP will help you efficiently create your substitute lesson plans. Remember, you must provide a detailed written lesson plan for the substitute teacher when you are absent.
To review our NMUSD Adult School procedures for requesting a substitute, read When You Need a Substitute.
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Mark your calendars, Team! Continue Reading »
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | Leave a Comment »
It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.
— Albert Einstein
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | Leave a Comment »
From CALPRO’s
ESL New Teacher Resource Guide
&
ABE New Teacher Resource Guide:
10 Easy Things You Can Do To Integrate Workplace Basics (SCANS Competencies) Into Your Classroom
The following list suggests ways to incorporate SCANS skills into your daily instruction. The bold-faced type indicates the classroom strategy, and the list below indicates the SCANS skill to which it corresponds. Continue Reading »
Posted in Curriculum, Workplace Readiness | 1 Comment »
From CALPRO:
The California Adult Literacy Professional Development Project (CALPRO) offers free professional development courses you can take any time, any place, through the Internet. To get started, all you need is an e-mail account, Internet access, and an average of three hours per week scheduled according to your convenience. Continue Reading »
Posted in Prof. Development | Tagged online professional development | Leave a Comment »
3 1/2 weeks into our first session of managed enrollment, we vacillate between hope and terror. Will we be able to provide a better educational experience…increasing student retention, persistence and success? Or, will we see a precipitous decline in the number of students we serve, with no significant learning gains to show for it? To calm anxieties and inform decisions, we turn to the research and the experts in the field. Continue Reading »
Posted in Attendance | 1 Comment »
Last semester we had the privilege of receiving some wonderful tech tips from our colleagues in the San Diego Community College District. This semester they are hard at work again, providing us with many useful technology tricks and tips that we can benefit from. Be sure to check in every Tuesday to get the latest tip! If you just can’t wait until Tuesday, you can always check out their wonderful tips from last semester in this post: TUESDAY TECH TIPS. See you on Tuesdays!
Posted in Tech Tips | Leave a Comment »
Here are the BESST Site’s updated emergency preparedness documents for 2009, including our 2009 Emergency Plan, Evacuation Map, Logs, Checklists, Procedures, Radio Assignments, and more…
Posted in Emergency Prep | Leave a Comment »
Here’s the answer to the most frequently-asked question this week: How are our numbers? I include a snapshot of Week 12, 2008 for comparison sake. Continue Reading »
Posted in Attendance | 2 Comments »
Mark your calendars, Team! Continue Reading »
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | Leave a Comment »
Last semester we had the privilege of receiving some wonderful tech tips from our colleagues in the San Diego Community College District. This semester they are hard at work again, providing us with many useful technology tricks and tips that we can benefit from. Be sure to check in every Tuesday to get the latest tip! If you just can’t wait until Tuesday, you can always check out their wonderful tips from last semester in this post: TUESDAY TECH TIPS. See you on Tuesdays!
Posted in Tech Tips | Leave a Comment »
Mark your calendars, Team! Continue Reading »
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | Leave a Comment »
Here is the 2009-10 Office Assistant Certificate Program brochure.
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | Tagged Office Assistant cer | Leave a Comment »
Start your session right with these essentials: orientation PowerPoints, pacing plans, course outlines, goal setting ideas, student needs surveys, persistence-building strategies, and more!…. Continue Reading »
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On his blog Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day……For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL, Larry compiled a list of helpful sites for remembering 9/11 in the ESL classroom. Check out these excellent resources: Continue Reading »
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Here is the updated version of NMUSD Adult School’s PowerPoint on Persistence. It is designed to inspire students to attend regularly. It helps create a climate of learning that focuses on learner persistence, learner goals, and learning gains.
Persistence – More Important Than Ever!
We encourage you to show this PowerPoint to your students at the beginning of each session.
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In an attempt to better serve students and more accurately measure learning gains, we are piloting a managed enrollment plan for our ESL classes. We offer four nine-week sessions. Read on for more details. Continue Reading »
Posted in Attendance, Persistence | 5 Comments »
Program-wide, our attendance is up 12% from last year. Our attendance data supports the commonly-held belief that local demand for adult education increases during economic downturns, as adults turn to our schools to retrain and gain the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed in our rapidly changing society and workforce.
Family Literacy class attendance at our main site (BESST Center) was up 67% last week from the same week last year.
Check out all site and program comparisons for week 50: Continue Reading »
Posted in Attendance | 1 Comment »
To find what you seek in the road of life, the best proverb of all is that which says: “Leave no stone unturned.”
Edward Bulwer Lytton
Mark your calendars, Team. Continue Reading »
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | Leave a Comment »
Our NMUSD Adult School Professional Learning Community was recently spotlighted at two national trainings for state and federal leaders of adult education programs. The National Reporting System training The Local Connection: Building a Data Use Learning Community is a project of the U.S. Department of Education.
In Washington D.C., participants navigated their way around NMUSD Adult School’s e-PLC blog http://adultedmatters.wordpress.com to look at a good example of how schools use technology to sustain professional learning communities in California.
In San Diego on Wednesday, our administrator presented the NMUSD Adult School PLC model at a training to state and federal adult education leaders from across the country: Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Northern Mariana Islands, Texas, Utah, and Washington. After our presentation, the Principal Research Analyst who led the American Institutes for Research Training shared this comment, “…participants were energized and excited by the possibilities you showed us for sustaining a learning community through technology. I have heard so many positive comments…” The next training to spotlight NMUSD Adult School PLC will be next week in Wisconsin.
We are proud of our proactive 21st century professional learning community at NMUSD Adult School, and we are pleased that others are responding positively to our work as well.
Posted in PLC Work | Leave a Comment »
To find what you seek in the road of life, the best proverb of all is that which says: “Leave no stone unturned.” Edward Bulwer Lytton
Tuesday, June 9
- CMHS Promotional Test
Wednesday, June 10
- BESST Promotional Test
Thursday, June 11
- Whittier Promotional Test
Wednesday, June 17
Thursday, June 18
- Student certificates
- TOPS Updates due
- Last day of school
Please go to the post End-of-Semester Essentials ~ June, 2009 for end-of-semester schedules, tips, and tools.
Monday, June 22
- Adult Ed Graduation, Estancia HS Theater, 7pm
Tuesday, June 23
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | Leave a Comment »
Despite both class and program closures in 2009 (advanced ESL class and satellite Distance Learning program), NMUSD Adult School continues to see increased attendance in 2008-09.
Our data supports the claim that local demand for adult education is on the rise during economic downturns, as adults turn to our free and/or modestly-priced adult schools to retrain and gain the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed in our rapidly changing society and workforce.
Here are our latest attendance data by site and program:
| Week 48 | 5/26-5/30/ |
5/25-5/29 |
|
| Site/Program | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | % change |
| BESST AM | 180.8 | 257.8 | 43% |
| HSD | 70.7 | 94.7 | 34% |
| DL, OCC | 11.2 | 14.5 | 29% |
| BESST PM | 231.7 | 223.3 | -4% |
| Whittier | 81.8 | 83.8 | 2% |
| CMHS | 28.5 | 35.5 | 25% |
| Older Adults | 66.2 | 95.8 | 45% |
| Total | 670.9 | 805.4 | 20% |
| Week 49 | 6/2-6/6 | 6/1-6/5 | |
| Site/Program | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | change |
| BESST AM | 178.8 | 245.4 | 37% |
| HSD | 89.8 | 88.5 | -1% |
| DL, OCC | 9.0 | 10.2 | 13% |
| BESST PM | 238.0 | 208.5 | -12% |
| Whittier | 78.6 | 84.6 | 8% |
| CMHS | 25.5 | 31.0 | 22% |
| Older Adults | 64.2 | 89.9 | 40% |
| Total | 683.9 | 758.1 | 11% |
Posted in Attendance | Leave a Comment »
Our friends and colleagues in the San Diego Community College Continuing Education Program have been working hard! Cindy Wislofsky and Donna Price are both ESL Tech Resource Instructors as well as ESL Teachers for their school. Every Tuesday they send out a wonderful Tech Tip for everyone to learn from. We have decided to post their Tech Tips on our blog once a week. Stay tuned for some great stuff!
- Tip #1- Click to Open
- Tip #2- Changing Window Size
- Tip #3- Selecting a Word
- Tip #4- Finding Synonyms
- Tip #5- Page Setup
- Tip #6- Changing Font Size
- Tip #7- Undoing Automatic Correction
- Tip #8- Zooming Back
- Tip #9- Signature In Outlook
- Tip #10- Address Book In Outlook
- Tip #11- Deleting And Emptying In Outlook
- Tip #12- Adding Accents and Tildes
- Tech Tips Review Chart- Spring ‘09
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | Leave a Comment »
To find what you seek in the road of life, the best proverb of all is that which says: “Leave no stone unturned.” Edward Bulwer Lytton
May 26-29
- CASAS Post Test II – We will test students who are missing post-tests.
Friday, May 29
- HSD PLC mtg w/Tom Antal, room 110, 10am
Wednesday, June 3
- Site Council Mtg – BESST, Rm. 123, 2:45-4:15pm
Tuesday, June 9
- CMHS Promotional Test
Wednesday, June 10
- BESST Promotional Test
Thursday, June 11
- Whittier Promotional Test
Wednesday, June 17
Thursday, June 18
- Student certificates
- TOPS Updates due
- Last day of school
Monday, June 22
- Adult Ed Graduation, Estancia HS Theater, 7pm
Please go to the post End-of-Semester Essentials ~ June, 2009 for end-of-semester schedules, tips, and tools.
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | Leave a Comment »
Here again are Martha’s End-of-Semester Essentials to help you hit the lip and rip….without any gnarly wipe-outs.
Keep it smooth, Dudes and Dudettes!
Click on BACK after viewing a file to return to this post.
CASAS Assessment Resources
Certificates
ESL Curriculum Pacing Plans
ESL Student Self-Evaluations (Student Test Scores)
- Beginning Literacy
- Beginning Low
- Beginning High
- Intermediate Low
- Intermediate High
- Advanced Low
- Advanced High
Surveys
- ESL Student Textbook Survey (online)
- High School Diploma Graduates Survey (online)
- Student Technology Survey (Exit) (online)
- Student Survey, 2008-09 (hard copy)
Testing and TOPS Update Schedules
- ESL Testing Calendar (CASAS and Promotional Test Dates)
- Suggested Timeline for Promo Test & Updates – BESST
- Suggested Timeline for Promo Test & Updates – CMHS
- Suggested Timeline for Promo Test & Updates – Whittier
TOPS Update Instructions
TOPS Update Materials
- TOPS Update Form (copyright CASAS)
- TOPS Update Translation (Field 9)
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD, ESL | 4 Comments »
Our next Site Council Meeting will be on 6/3/09 in Room 114 from 2:45-4:15pm.
Click here for the agenda.
Click here for the minutes (posted by 6/10)
Posted in Site Council | 1 Comment »
Our School Site Council meeting is today, 2:45pm-4:15pm in room 114.
Click here for the agenda.
Click here for the 05/13/09 meeting minutes. (Posted by 05/18/09…sorry 05/19/09, 1:35pm)
Thank you, Jeff, for doing the minutes!!!!
Posted in Site Council | Leave a Comment »
To find what you seek in the road of life, the best proverb of all is that which says: “Leave no stone unturned.” Edward Bulwer Lytton
Monday, May 11
- ACSA Celebration of Excellence – Administrator of the Year Award, 4:30-9pm, Irvine Marriott Hotel
Wednesday, May 13
- Site Council Meeting – 2:45pm, BESST, Room 114
Thursday, May 14
- Student Council Meeting – 11am, BESST, Room 123
- PLC Initiative in L.A. – all day (Martha Rankin)
Friday, May 15
- PLC Initiative in L.A. – all day (Martha Rankin)
May 26-29
- CASAS Post Test II – We will test students who are missing post-tests.
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | 1 Comment »
As a follow up to Martha’s previous post about Open Source (free) versions of Word, Excel and Power Point, I wanted to post additional resources available. At OpenEducationDisc, there is a list of MANY other programs that are all free and almost identical to the original versions. There is a PDF creator that you can use without having to purchase Adobe. There is also a mind mapping software that you can use to organize your thoughts and ideas before writing an essay. The page is full of so many resources and the best part is it is FREE! All you need to do is download it to your computer.
Posted in Tech-Enhanced Inst. | 1 Comment »
To find what you seek in the road of life, the best proverb of all is that which 
says: “Leave no stone unturned.” Edward Bulwer Lytton
Tuesday, May 5
- All-Staff Community Meeting: Budget – 4pm, BESST, Room 114
Wednesday, May 13 (Please note date change.)
- Site Council Meeting – 2:45pm, BESST, Room 114
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | Leave a Comment »
Texting. You’ve seen it. You’ve probably even done it. But chances are you don’t do it in class. Guess what? We’re breaking all the rules! We are bringing texting into the classroom! Nearly every student has a cell phone and chances are they are texting in class anyway. Why not have them use their piece of technology as an interactive learning experience?!
At www.polleverywhere.com you can do just that. You can create a survey or poll and have students text their responses in class. All the answers are anonymous and the website will automatically update the results as they come in. Best of all, it’s FREE!
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD, Tech Tips, Tech-Enhanced Inst. | 1 Comment »
Mandi and I promised to share CUE Tips from the March CUE Conference. Hey, did you know…? According to Wikipedia Etymology, the word Q-Tip means “Quality Tip.” And, yes, this is a quality tip that can clean out more than ear wax. Listen up, friends… Continue Reading »
Posted in Tech-Enhanced Inst. | 1 Comment »
Several hundred community members came to view and admire the work of our N-MUSD Adult School learners and leaders. The April exhibit Orange County through the Eyes of our Students was planned and hosted by students in our Digital Photography and Learning English Through Technology classes.
Both classes are part of our Career & Technical Education program at NMUSD Adult School, which focuses on the acquisition and application of 21st century skills: digital age literacy, inventive thinking, interactive communication, and quality, state-of-the-art results.
To view exhibit pictures and student comments… Continue Reading »
Posted in Marketing | Leave a Comment »
Newport-Mesa USD Adult School will present our unique PLC model at the CA Council for Adult Education (CCAE) State Conference in Pasadena April 30 – May 2, 2009.
PLC 2.0 on a Budget - May 2, 2009, 10-11am.
Posted in PLC Work | Leave a Comment »
Here are a few words of thanks from N-MUSD Adult learners in our English/Computers Career and Technical Education Class.
Posted in Marketing | Leave a Comment »
Student Council Members - Feb 26, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
- Student Council, BESST Center, room 123, 11am-12pm
Here’s our new wiki: http://nmusdstudentcouncil.pbwiki.com/
Posted in Student Council | Leave a Comment »
Botox is known to be somewhat helpful in keeping a person’s appearance youthful if only for a while. But to consistently lessen the effects of cognitive decline, researchers have found that the best remedies are proved to be linked with problem solving, excercise, a healthy diet, sleep and socializing. Among other recommended activities, to keep our brains sharp, are learning a foreign language and using word games such as crossword puzzles. I recently read an article online by the Alliance for Aging Research (in the section entitled the Brain Health Corner) which states:
Learning a new skill or language,completing the crossword puzzle, taking educational courses, even learning to dance-all challenge and help maintain the brain. Choose intellectually stimulating and varied activities-the more demanding, the greater the benefit.” www.agingresearch.org
In a class of stressed out, worked to the bone, adult students ( and teacher), youth is fast fleeting. I make it a point to use many games during ESL class to keep students alert and engaged as much as possible. I emphasize often that games are healthy for their brains. I remind them that every time they play a game they are getting younger. In many cultures, games are frowned upon as part of classroom activities, so foreign students sometimes feel resistant to participating in them as an integral part of the learning process. They view games of any kind to be a waste of time. Not in my class. We play almost every day. When I can get them to embrace the the perspective that learning English is essential, but keeping the brain agile is even more important to their overall health, quality of life, and academic success, it’s amazing how quickly a shift in attitude takes place.There are many games and sites for games out there, but I want to share with you only one such site that I have recently used with my class. It is elcivics.com. Don’t be fooled by the title. I don’t teach El Civics as a focus. I teach ESL. Although there are quite a few materials on civics, holidays, and the United States there are some great crossword puzzles to use with your class. You can copy them freely, for use as an individual student activity, or you can project them on the Smart Board for whole class activities. Of course there are many other crossword puzzle sites and you can still use Puzzlemaker.com, but if you’re a part-time instructor with three different jobs and a life, like me, you would much rather have a ready-to-use resource, right?
Check this one out. It might be helpful to you and your students. Let me know what you think. I’d also love to hear of other sites that you have successfully used.
OK, so playing a game is not as quick a fix as getting a shot of Botox (for that ever deepening wrinkle on your forehead) but it sure is a lot more fun…. So, get off this blog and go play some games!
Posted in ESL | Leave a Comment »
| 2008-09 | |||
| Adults | Concurrent | Totals | |
| Summer | 38198.5 | 4900.5 | 43099.0 |
| Sep | 40552 | 2469.5 | 43021.5 |
| Oct | 55439.5 | 2777 | 58216.5 |
| Nov | 50196 | 2425.5 | 52621.5 |
| Dec | 37700.5 | 1900.5 | 39601.0 |
| Jan | 41225.5 | 2168.5 | 43394.0 |
| Feb | 40979.5 | 2219.5 | 43199.0 |
| Mar | 53210.5 | 4792 | 58002.5 |
| Totals | 357,502.0 | 23,653.0 | 381,155.0 |
| 2007-08 | |||
| Adults | Concurrent | Totals | |
| Summer | 33526.5 | 10295.5 | 43822.0 |
| Sep | 40875.5 | 3042.5 | 43918.0 |
| Oct | 53140.0 | 3822.0 | 56962.0 |
| Nov | 34910.5 | 2196.5 | 37107.0 |
| Dec | 43506.0 | 3098.0 | 46604.0 |
| Jan | 36009.5 | 2512.5 | 38522.0 |
| Feb | 33674.5 | 2399.0 | 36073.5 |
| Mar | 43919.5 | 3974.0 | 47893.5 |
| Totals | 319,562.0 | 31,340.0 | 350,902.0 |
| 2006-07 | |||
| Adults | Concurrent | Totals | |
| Summer | 30354.0 | 12658.0 | 43012.0 |
| Sep | 34239.5 | 3474.5 | 37714.0 |
| Oct | 48101.5 | 4904.0 | 53005.5 |
| Nov | 32997.0 | 2371.0 | 35368.0 |
| Dec | 38058.5 | 3407.0 | 41465.5 |
| Jan | 40670.0 | 3158.5 | 43828.5 |
| Feb | 32204.0 | 2187.5 | 34391.5 |
| Mar | 41465.5 | 6538.0 | 48003.5 |
| Totals | 298,090.0 | 38,698.5 | 336,788.5 |
Two-year comparison of average hours by site and program:
| Week 39 | 3/24/08-3/28/08 | 3/23/09-3/27/09 | |
| Site | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | change |
| ESL / Family Lit BESST Day | 208.2 | 301.6 | 45% |
| High School Dipl | 66.2 | 105.8 | 60% |
| ESL (DL, OCC) | 9.8 | 27.2 | 178% |
| ESL BESST PM | 317.5 | 351.8 | 11% |
| ESL/ Family Lit Whittier | 80.6 | 96.2 | 19% |
| ESL CMHS | 39.0 | 45.0 | 15% |
| Older Adults | 56.4 | 85.2 | 51% |
| Total | 777.7 | 1012.8 | 30% |
Posted in Attendance | Leave a Comment »
Our School Site Council meeting is today, 2:45pm-4:15pm in room 114.
Click here for the agenda.
Click here for the 04/01/09 meeting minutes.
Posted in Site Council | Leave a Comment »
As we share more teacher-created documents on our webpages, blogs, and wikis, we must educate ourselves on copyright rules and copyleft tools. Here are some resources:
Copyright and Fair Use
- Copyright Law of the United States
- http://timac.wikispaces.com/Copyright
- Fair Use (copyright.gov)
- Copyright & Fair Use (stanford.edu)
- Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Media Literacy Education (pdf)
Copyleft
Creative Commons
- http://search.creativecommons.org/
- http://creativecommons.org/
- Watch video Creative Commons – Copyright Solution
This is a short movie that explains the Creative Commons Copyright process.
Photos
- http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/
- http://www.freefoto.com/index.jsp
- Google Custom Search (copyright free, image appropriate)
Tech Training Presentation
Posted in Tech Trainings | Leave a Comment »
Here’s a cool website that I have been using in my classroom. It has lots of activities including thematic units, lesson plans, and printable worksheets for your students…and it’s FREE! Check it out!
Posted in ESL, Tech Tips | Leave a Comment »
Monday, March 30
- Makeup IDs – BESST Day
Tuesday, March 31
- Makeup IDs – CMHS
Wednesday, April 1
- Digital Photo Exhibit, OC Through the Eyes of our Students BESST room 112, 11am
- CASAS Post Test I – BESST Afternoon
- Site Council Meeting, BESST room 114, 2:45pm
- Makeup IDs – BESST Evening
Friday, April 3
- Web-based CASAS Implementation Training, 1:30pm
Week of April 6-10 – Spring BREAK!
Thursday, April 16
- Student Council Mtg. BESST room 123, 11am-12pm
If you notice an event that is missing from this list, PLEASE feel free to add the event in our comments field. It’s hard for me to catch them all!
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | Leave a Comment »
Wednesday, March 25
- CASAS Post Test I – BESST Morning, BESST Evening, Whittier
Thursday, March 26
- CASAS Post Test I - CMHS
Friday, March 27
- 2009-10 WIA II Application Due
Monday, March 30
- Makeup IDs – BESST Day
Tuesday, March 31
- Makeup IDs – CMHS
Wednesday, April 1
- CASAS Post Test I – BESST Afternoon
- Site Council Meeting, BESST room 114, 2:45pm
- Makeup IDs – BESST Evening
Friday, April 3
- Web-based CASAS Implementation Training, 1:30pm
Thursday, April 16
- Student Council Mtg. BESST room 123, 11am-12pm
If you notice an event that is missing from this list, PLEASE feel free to add the event in our comments field. It’s hard for me to catch them all!
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | Leave a Comment »
This report comes from School Services of California, Inc., publication date – March 20, 2009: Impact of the May 19 Ballot Propositions.
Posted in Budget | Leave a Comment »
Here are videos and resources that provide facts, trends and best-practice discussions regarding our state and federal adult education programs. We will integrate the data and ideas into our continuous improvement efforts, using both Site Council and PLC time to examine and reflect on this very important information.
“In every difficult situation is potential value. Believe this, then begin looking for it.”Norman Vincent Peale
From CASAS website:
The 2009 Winter California WIA Title II Consortium Video focuses on how to administer our federal programs given our current fiscal uncertainty with our state funded programs. Debra Jones, CDE Adult Education Administrator, presents key performance data from California WIA Title II programs as it relates to student success. Debra also reviews strategies to improve federal performance, how to make the best use of limited resources, and discusses recent trends in adult education programs. Following Debra’s presentation there is a panel discussion with Cherise Moore (Burbank), Carol Hirota (Stockton) and Susan Handy (Bakersfield) regarding how they produce quality programs given these tough fiscal times. This video production is a collaborative effort with CDE, CASAS and OTAN.
Posted in PLC Work | Leave a Comment »
From the California Department of Education Adult Education Office:
The purpose of the Adult Education Budget Forum is to provide adult schools with the latest budget information, a place to post questions, receive answers as fast as they can be determined, and view what other programs around the state are doing during these unique and challenging circumstances. The comments section provides an opportunity for you to write about the implications of the budget on your program. By sharing this information, we can build a consensus on “best practices” for the continued success of the Adult Education program.
Posted in Budget | Leave a Comment »
Monday, March 16
- Birthday celebration, BESST Lounge, 9:30am
- DL meeting, BESST Office, 11:15am
Tuesday, March 17
- High School Senior Day at OCC, 10:30am-2:00pm
- Life 4 Lunch, BESST Lounge, 11:30am-12:30pm FREE!
- CAHSEE Language Arts Exit Exam, 9am-1pm and 5pm-9pm
Wednesday, March 18
- CAHSEE Mathematics Exit Exam, 9am-1pm and 5pm-9pm
Thursday, March 19
- Student Council Meeting, 11am-12pm, BESST Site, room 123
Friday, March 20
- School News Due
Wednesday, March 25
- CASAS Post Test I – BESST Morning, BESST Evening, Whittier
Thursday, March 26
- CASAS Post Test I - CMHS
Wednesday, April 1
- CASAS Post Test I – BESST Afternoon
If you notice an event that is missing from this list, PLEASE feel free to add the event in our comments field. It’s hard for me to catch them all!
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | Leave a Comment »
Posted in Site Council | Leave a Comment »
Here is Important Budget Information from Debra Jones, Administrator, CA Adult Education Office (dated March 10, 2009).
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | Leave a Comment »
This information was posted on ACSA’s website on March 9: ACSA fights for adult ed, ROP funding.
Posted in Budget | 1 Comment »
| 2008-09 | |||
| Adults | Concurrent | Totals | |
| Summer | 38198.5 | 4900.5 | 43099.0 |
| Sep | 40552 | 2469.5 | 43021.5 |
| Oct | 55439.5 | 2777 | 58216.5 |
| Nov | 50196 | 2425.5 | 52621.5 |
| Dec | 37700.5 | 1900.5 | 39601.0 |
| Jan | 41225.5 | 2168.5 | 43394.0 |
| Feb | 40979.5 | 2219.5 | 43199.0 |
| Totals | 304291.5 | 18861.0 | 323152.5 |
| 2007-08 | |||
| Adults | Concurrent | Totals | |
| Summer | 33526.5 | 10295.5 | 43822.0 |
| Sep | 40875.5 | 3042.5 | 43918.0 |
| Oct | 53140.0 | 3822.0 | 56962.0 |
| Nov | 34910.5 | 2196.5 | 37107.0 |
| Dec | 43506.0 | 3098.0 | 46604.0 |
| Jan | 36009.5 | 2512.5 | 38522.0 |
| Feb | 33674.5 | 2399.0 | 36073.5 |
| Totals | 275642.5 | 27366.0 | 303008.5 |
| 2006-07 | |||
| Adults | Concurrent | Totals | |
| Summer | 30354.0 | 12658.0 | 43012.0 |
| Sep | 34239.5 | 3474.5 | 37714.0 |
| Oct | 48101.5 | 4904.0 | 53005.5 |
| Nov | 32997.0 | 2371.0 | 35368.0 |
| Dec | 38058.5 | 3407.0 | 41465.5 |
| Jan | 40670.0 | 3158.5 | 43828.5 |
| Feb | 32204.0 | 2187.5 | 34391.5 |
| Totals | 256624.5 | 32160.5 | 288785.0 |
Posted in Attendance | Leave a Comment »
Wednesday, March 11
Learn how to take care of your heart…nutrition class, heart healthy cooking, and the importance of exercise.
We will offer two sessions:
- 8:30am-9:30am in room 113
- 9:45am-10:45 in room 114
Classes are in Spanish.
Tuesday, March 17
- High School Senior Day at OCC, 10:30am-2:00pm
- CAHSEE Language Arts Exit Exam, 9am-1pm and 5pm-9pm
Wednesday, March 18
- CAHSEE Mathematics Exit Exam, 9am-1pm and 5pm-9pm
Thursday, March 19
- Student Council Meeting, 11am-12pm, BESST Site, room 123
Friday, March 20
- School News Due
Wednesday, March 25
- CASAS Post Test I – BESST Morning, Evening, Whittier
Thursday, March 26
- CASAS Post Test I - CMHS
Wednesday, April 1
- CASAS Post Test I – BESST Afternoon
If you notice an event that is missing from this list, PLEASE feel free to add the event in our comments field. It’s hard for me to catch them all!
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | 2 Comments »
Click here for info on our Parking Policy and Procedure at the BESST Site.
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | Leave a Comment »
| Week 35 | 2/25/08-2/29/08 | 2/23/09-2/27/09 | |
| Site | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | change |
| BESST AM | 219.4 | 278.4 | 27% |
| HSD | 71.0 | 82.8 | 17% |
| Satellite (DL, OCC) | 39.0 | 29.2 | -25% |
| BESST PM | 318.5 | 322.5 | 1% |
| Whittier | 81.2 | 92.2 | 14% |
| CMHS | 44.5 | 35.5 | -20% |
| Older Adults | 55.6 | 82.2 | 48% |
| Total | 829.2 | 922.8 | 11% |
Posted in Attendance | Leave a Comment »
Our School Site Council meets today, Wednesday, March 4, 2009, from 2:45 to 4:15pm at the BESST Site, room 115.
The proposed agenda has been posted for a week. No changes were proposed by our staff.
Here is today’s agenda.
Posted in Site Council | Leave a Comment »
Here is a collection of informational resources on the new state budget.
Association of CA School Administrators (ACSA)
Outreach and Technical Assistance Network (OTAN)
- Update on the State Budget for Adult Education (OTAN website)
- Update on the State Budget-for-adult-education (Word Doc)
School Services of CA (SSC)
- New State Budget Questions and Answers—Part I
- 2009 SSC School District and County Office Financial Projection Dartboard
Senate Bill No 4
-
SBx3 4 Summary info.sen.ca.gov
-
SBx3 4 Summary aroundthecapitol.com
Posted in Budget | Tagged Adult Education, state budget | Leave a Comment »
New on NPR: All Tech Considered
Every Monday, All Things Considered will air its new series called All Tech Considered to explore the sometimes daunting – always changing – world of technology. Are you baffled by your cell phone? Wondering what your kids mean when they say they’re tweeting on Twitter? Whatever it may be, All Tech Considered is here to explore it with you.
This morning I listened to Video Games As Community-Building Tool [1 min 30 sec]. I’m becoming interested in the subject as my nine-year-old son is doing more and more social gaming with his friend across town.
There is a range of topics; here’s just a few to whet your appetite:
- In Search Of Answers, Teachers Turn To Clickers [7 min 45 sec]
- How To Erase Old Hard Drives Without A Drill Bit [7 min 50 sec]
- Digital Frames Have Environmental Cost [3 min 44 sec]
- Reducing Carbon Footprint Of New Gadgets [4 min 1 sec]
Posted in Tech Tips | Leave a Comment »
Here’s what’s coming up at Newport-Mesa Adult School!
Wednesday, March 4
- Site Council Mtg., 2:45-4:15pm, BESST, room 115
March 5-7
- CUE Conference, Palm Springs
Wednesday, March 11
Tuesday, March 17
- High School Senior Day at OCC, 10:30am-2:00pm
- CAHSEE Language Arts Exit Exam, 9am-1pm and 5pm-9pm
Wednesday, March 18
- CAHSEE Mathematics Exit Exam, 9am-1pm and 5pm-9pm
Friday, March 20
- School News Due
If you notice an event that is missing from this list, PLEASE feel free to add the event in our comments field. It’s hard for me to catch them all!
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | 1 Comment »
Wow, look at these averages by site!! Way to go!!!
| Week 33 | 2/11/08-1/15/08 | 2/9/09-2/13/09 | |
| Site | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | change |
| BESST AM | 214.4 | 305.2 | 42% |
| HSD | 64.8 | 79.8 | 23% |
| Satellite (DL, OCC) | 8.0 | 25.0 | 213% |
| BESST PM | 323.2 | 346.2 | 7% |
| Whittier | 75.6 | 95.6 | 26% |
| CMHS | 45.0 | 51.5 | 14% |
| Older Adults | 55.0 | 74.6 | 36% |
| Total | 786.0 | 977.9 | 24% |
Posted in Attendance | 3 Comments »
Student Council Members - Feb 26, 2009
Our Student Council Meeting is today from 11am-12pm in room 123.
Meeting PowerPoint (Feb 26, 09)
Update – February 26 at 1:20pm
Please join me in welcoming our new representatives to the N-MUSD Adult School’s Student Council 2008-09!
We also wish to congratulate the following members for being elected to these leadership posts:
☼ Carmen Leticia Gonzalez – President
☼ Oscar Napoleon Rodriguez – Co-President
☼ Isabel Monroy – Secretary
☼ Gloria Urrea Delgado - Co-Secretary
☼ Gerardo Mendez – Tech Assistant
☼ Sergio Rodriguez Manzo – Tech Assistant
Posted in Student Council | 1 Comment »
Here’s what’s coming up at Newport-Mesa Adult School!
Thursday, February 26
- Student Council Mtg., 11am-12pm, BESST, room 123
Wednesday, March 4
- Site Council Mtg., 2:45-4:15pm, BESST, room 115
March 5-7
- CUE Conference, Palm Springs
Wednesday, March 11
Tuesday, March 17
- High School Senior Day at OCC, 10:30am-2:00pm
Friday, March 20
- School News Due
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | 1 Comment »
Thanks to NMUSD ED Tech’s offer, Mandi and I will be attending the annual state technology conference, Computer Using Educators, held in Palm Springs on March 5-7. Thanks, Ed Tech!
Our Tech Team elected Mandi to be our site tech coordinator for 2008-09. Thank you, Mandi, for representing our teachers.
Mandi and I are excited to attend CUE on behalf of N-MUSD Adult School. We will attend sessions on Thursday - Saturday. We invite you to 1) peruse our session options in the CUE Brochure and 2) email us if there is anything you want us to investigate on your behalf.
When we return, we will share our newly acquired skills and resources in various ways (blog, peer mentors, tech tips…) to ensure that our students and staff all benefit from our training.
Still talkin’ ’bout a technolution…
More soon…:)
Posted in Tech-Enhanced Inst. | 1 Comment »
Our next Site Council Meeting with be Wednesday, March 4, 2009, 2:45-4:15pm, BESST Site, room 115.
Please preview the agenda draft and email Martha mrankin@nmusd.us with any proposed changes to the agenda prior to the meeting. Thanks!
Posted in Site Council | 1 Comment »
I’ll be frank. Joining the CASAS 2.0 World has not been easy for me. It may surprise you to learn that I’ve been grieving these past couple of years as I come to grips with the fact that my beloved old 03_R test series is going away.
Now, readers, you have two choices here:
1) Walk with me through the five stages of my grief process by clicking Continue Reading » now. (It’s all part of the process, People.)
or
2) Fast forward to the acceptance and hope stage and know that NMUSD Adult School will soon switch to the 080R test series and begin e-testing.
Posted in Assessments | 4 Comments »
Hail Up Close in Laguna Hills
Hail in Martha's Backyard
Posted in ESL | Leave a Comment »
Written by Alma A. Sariñana, NMUSD School/Community Facilitator, HOPE Clinic
Hi Adult Teachers!
I wanted to thank you for supporting and promoting our Flu Clinic today. Let me commend all of your work. We gave 71 flu immunizations to the students this morning.
I wanted to inform you that we still have more flu vaccine available for the staff, students and community. Please do not hesitate in calling the clinic or myself with questions or to schedule appointments. The clinic’s number is 949-515-6725 and my number is 949-515-6737.
Once again, thank you for your support and collaboration in making today’s flu clinic a success. I look forward to continue working with all of you.”
Click here to access the N-MUSD HOPE Clinic webpage for more information.
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | Leave a Comment »
Newport-Mesa Adult School and Orange Coast College are working together to offer a FREE computer class on the Orange Coast College campus on Saturday mornings from 9am-12pm.
Learn how to surf and search on the Internet with ease!! Discover how to create powerful PowerPoints like the pros. Gain proficiency in Microsoft Word. Come add essential 21st century skills to your bag of tricks!
The class is designed to meet the needs of English Language Learners. All are welcome!
Posted in Career Technical Ed | Leave a Comment »
Posted in Professional Growth Team | Leave a Comment »
What do our attendance trends tell us?
| 2008-09 | |||
| Adult | Concurrent | Totals | |
| Summer | 38,199 | 4,901 | 43,099 |
| Month 1 | 40,552 | 2,470 | 43,022 |
| Month 2 | 55,440 | 2,777 | 58,217 |
| Month 3 | 50,196 | 2,426 | 52,622 |
| Month 4 | 37,701 | 1,901 | 39,601 |
| Month 5 | 41,226 | 2,169 | 43,394 |
| 263,312 | 16,642 | 279,954 |
| 2007-08 | |||
| Adult | Concurrent | Totals | |
| Summer | 33,527 | 10,296 | 43,822 |
| Month 1 | 40,876 | 3,043 | 43,918 |
| Month 2 | 53,140 | 3,822 | 56,962 |
| Month 3 | 34,911 | 2,197 | 37,107 |
| Month 4 | 43,506 | 3,098 | 46,604 |
| Month 5 | 36,010 | 2,513 | 38,522 |
| 241,968 | 24,967 | 266,935 |
| 2006-07 | |||
| Adult | Concurrent | Totals | |
| Summer | 30,354 | 12,658 | 43,012 |
| Month 1 | 34,240 | 3,475 | 37,714 |
| Month 2 | 48,102 | 4,904 | 53,006 |
| Month 3 | 32,997 | 2,371 | 35,368 |
| Month 4 | 38,059 | 3,407 | 41,466 |
| Month 5 | 40,670 | 3,159 | 43,829 |
| Totals | 224,421 | 29,973 | 254,394 |
We can also look at our attendance (summer – January) since 2000! In this snapshot, I include the % change.
| 2000-01 | 2001-02 | change | |
| Adult | 249,108 | 253,973 | 2% |
| Concurrent | 16,539 | 18,805 | 14% |
| 2001-02 | 2002-03 | change | |
| Adult | 253,973 | 249,114 | -2% |
| Concurrent | 18,805 | 20,291 | 8% |
| 2002-03 | 2003-04 | change | |
| Adult | 249,114 | 216,485 | -13% |
| Concurrent | 20,291 | 21,260 | 5% |
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | change | |
| Adult | 216,485 | 225,193 | 4% |
| Concurrent | 21,260 | 20,476 | -4% |
| 2004-05 | 2005-06 | change | |
| Adult | 225,193 | 216,479 | -4% |
| Concurrent | 20,476 | 21,718 | 6% |
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | change | |
| Adult | 216,479 | 224,421 | 4% |
| Concurrent | 21,718 | 29,973 | 38% |
| 2006-07 | 2007-08 | change | |
| Adult | 224,421 | 241,968 | 8% |
| Concurrent | 29,973 | 24,967 | -17% |
| 2007-08 | 2008-09 | change | |
| Adult | 241,968 | 263,312 | 9% |
| Concurrent | 24,967 | 16,642 | -33% |
Posted in Attendance | Leave a Comment »
NMUSD Adult School Student Council, 2007-08
In order to expand our school leadership and ensure that our schoolwide action plan is in alignment with student needs, we are continuing our NMUSD Adult School Student Council.
Our 2008-2009 Student Council will meet 5 times (Feb-June). Student Council members will
- share helpful ideas on how to improve our program
- represent the needs and interests of their classmates
- offer suggestions and make decisions on how to increase student attendance and participation
Posted in Student Council | 5 Comments »
Week of February 2-6
- 2nd semester enrollment
- CASAS Pre-tests for NEW students
- Things You Need ~ 1st Week of 2nd Semester
Tuesday, February 3
- 1st day of ESL & Tech Class at Sonora, 8am-11am
Wednesday, February 4
- Site Council – canceled
- Health & Safety Mtg. – SIMC, 3pm (Martha)
Friday, February 6
- ACSA Regional Mtg. – 11:30am-1:30pm, Irvine AS (Martha)
Coming Up…
Wednesday, February 11
- Prof. Growth/Tech Mtg. – 2:30-4pm, room 114
February 16 -20 – Presidents’ Recess
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | Leave a Comment »
Check out these PowerPoints from CASAS.
Ideas for Use: You can take your class into our lab, and each student can work through the PowerPoint. Or, you can project the PPT onto your SMART Board and invite students up to select the correct answers while the rest of the class writes the answers in their notebooks.
CASAS Test Prep for the 21st-century learner!
Click here to get to CASAS download center.
Posted in Assessments | 1 Comment »
Our Dynamic Community of Learners and Leaders!
Dear Newport-Mesa Community Leaders!
Newport-Mesa Adult School is a dynamic community of learners and leaders!
We are eager and honored to promote a lifetime of learning for our Newport-Mesa parents and community members.
Spring Semester is February 2 - June 18, 2009.
Please check out our offerings of FREE classes…and childcare!!
We are more than happy to send you a promotional packet for display and distribution at your site. Simply leave me a comment or send me an email with the following information, and we’ll get a packet out to you ASAP:
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Our mission is to provide lifelong educational opportunities and services which address the unique needs of individuals and communities by providing adults with the knowledge and skills necessary, including technology, to participate effectively as citizens, workers, parents and family members, and be contributing members of the local and global community.
You may also visit our website for more information.
Posted in Marketing | Leave a Comment »
Our Site Council Meeting on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 has been canceled.
Our next Site Council Meeting with be Wednesday, March 4, 2009.
Please preview the agenda draft and email Martha mrankin@nmusd.us with any proposed changes to the agenda prior to the meeting. Thanks!
Posted in Site Council | 1 Comment »
Class Orientation PowerPoints
- Beginning Literacy ESL Orientation PowerPoint
- Beginning Low ESL Orientation PowerPoint
- Beginning High ESL Orientation PowerPoint
- Intermediate Low ESL Orientation PowerPoint
- Intermediate High ESL OrientationPowerPoint
- Multi-Advanced ESL Orientation PowerPoint
- Sonora’s ESL & Tech Orientation PowerPoint
Course Outlines
- Course Outline: Beginning Literacy
- Course Outline: Beginning Low
- Course Outline: Beginning High
- Course Outline: Intermediate Low
- Course Outline: Intermediate High
- Course Outline: Advanced Low
- Course Outline: Advanced High
Goal Setting
Pacing Guides (ESL)
Persistence-Building Strategies
- Continue to reflect on the goals you set at the beginning of the semester.
- Give recognition/certificates for achievement on end-of-unit tests.
- Give recognition/certificates for student attendance.
- Discuss the importance of daily attendance.
- Use an attendance graph for tracking student attendance.
- Use the funny-money awards system. We have lots of funny-money prizes; see Patsy for details.
- Read The First Three Weeks: A Critical Time for Motivation
- Read Research to Practice: Increasing Retention Through Student Success
Student Transfer Policy & Procedure
Surveys
- Student Needs Assessment (hardcopy – ESL)
- Student Needs Survey (online – ESL)
- Student Needs Survey (online – General)
- Student Tech Survey (Entry)
Posted in ESL | 5 Comments »
Over 30 parents came to yesterday’s orientation meeting at Sonora Elementary School to learn about our new English and Technology class for adult learners. The class will begin February 3rd, 2009 and will meet every Tuesday and Thursday from 8am-11am.
Prospective students met their teacher (Jeff Corrigan), learned about the class with the help of a Class Orientation PowerPoint, completed a Student Needs Assessment and registration paperwork, and received a complimentary study binder, provided by the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant in Costa Mesa.
For more details on the class, please view:
- informational flyer (English)
- informational flyer (Spanish)
Posted in Marketing | Leave a Comment »
Here is a comparative look at average attendance by site and program for Week 30 (1/21/08 vs 1/19/09).
| Week 30 | 1/21/08-1/25/08 | 1/19/09-1/23/09 | |
| Site | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | change |
| BESST AM | 140.0 | 200.5 | 43% |
| HSD | 67.7 | 79.7 | 18% |
| Satellite (DL, OCC) | 11.8 | 11.7 | 0% |
| BESST PM | 237.3 | 281.7 | 19% |
| Whittier | 71.8 | 75.8 | 6% |
| CMHS | 39.5 | 43.0 | 9% |
| Older Adults | 49.0 | 78.8 | 61% |
| Total | 617.1 | 771.2 | 25% |
So good to see BESST Night in the black!! Congrats, team!!! Your “intersession class” really seemed to give us the boost we needed.
Here’s a comparative look of our total average attendance for 1st semester, 2007-08 vs. 2008-09.
| Week | 2007 | 2008 | change |
| Week 14 | 1013.3 | 1005.0 | -1% |
| Week 16 | 970.3 | 997.5 | 3% |
| Week 18 | 910 | 1003 | 10% |
| Week 20 | 901.6 | 934.9 | 4% |
| Week 22 | Thanksgiving | ||
| Week 24 | 761.3 | 818.7 | 8% |
| Week 26 | Winter Break | ||
| Week 28 | 683.3 | 719.8 | 5% |
| Week 30 | 617.1 | 771.2 | 25% |
Posted in Attendance | 2 Comments »
Would you like an explanation of a wiki…in plain English?
Here’s a video for you…
Wikis in Plain EnglishRuntime: 03:54
Say, while you’re at it…check this one out, too:
Posted in Tech Tips | Leave a Comment »
NMUSD Adult School is uniting with Sonora Elementary School to offer a FREE English and Technology class on Sonora’s campus. The class will meet Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8am-11am.
To learn more about the class, check out these resources:
Posted in Marketing | 1 Comment »
Week of January 26-30
- Orientation PowerPoints for Next Level ESL
- Individual and class goal reflections
- Achievement Awards
- Persistence Celebration
Tuesday, January 27
- ESL Orientation at Sonora – 8-11am
Wednesday, January 28
- OCC Presentations at BESST – 8:11am
- Birthday Celebration – 2:30-3:30pm, BESST Lounge
Friday, January 30
- End of Semester
Go to End-of-Semester Essentials for surveys, orientation PowerPoints, certificate templates…
Week of February 2-6
- 2nd semester enrollment
- CASAS Pre-tests for NEW students
Wednesday, February 4
- Site Council Mtg – 2:45-4:15pm, BESST, Room 114
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | Leave a Comment »
During these disquieting economic times, let us trumpet the value of California Adult Schools. We know the impact of adult education on our state education and economy. Let us share these truths with our state legislators, our communities, and our schools.
These talking points come from Laura Preston, Legislative Advocate for ACSA.
The Governor’s proposal in the budget discussions regarding “maximum flexibility” is a concern to adult education programs and schools because adult education is an important part of the overall K-Adult academic program. It also does not consider the 150 years that adult education has contributed to the economic stimulus and job training programs in California.
- Adult schools are the largest, most cost-effective workforce development program in the state.
- Adult schools serve 1.5 million students annually.
- During an economic downturn, student enrollment significantly increases in adult schools as people turn to adult schools to up-grade their job skills, complete job training, and receive certification.
- Statistics show that when adult schools offer English classes on school campuses, school attendance of school-age children increases.
- If parents are successful and English literate, their children are far more apt to be successful academically.
- Adult schools have seen a significant increase in 18-22 year old students and assist the school district with drop-out retrieval, student recovery programs, CAHSEE intervention, and providing GED test preparation.
- The students that will be displaced are the least likely to have transportation and are unable to pay higher fees for their education.
- Maintaining adult education programs will keep 15,000 teachers and staff employed.”
Posted in Marketing | Leave a Comment »
Our attendance is up! Check out this comparative look at attendance the second week in January 2008 vs. 2009.
| Week 29 | 1/14/08-1/18/08 | 1/12/09-1/16/09 | |
| Site | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | % change |
| BESST AM | 171.2 | 231.0 | 35% |
| HSD | 60.5 | 73.5 | 21% |
| Satellite (DL, OCC) | 6.8 | 17.0 | 150% |
| BESST PM | 308.5 | 286.5 | -7% |
| Whittier | 87.2 | 78.8 | -10% |
| CMHS | 40.5 | 45.0 | 11% |
| Older Adults | 49.8 | 74.2 | 49% |
| Total | 724.5 | 806.0 | 11% |
Facts that influence the figures:
- Based on input from our Student Council and attendance trends, we moved Spanish GED from Whittier to BESST Day in 2008-09. Our Spanish GED attendance is up approximately 20% in 2008-09.
- Due to low attendance, we eliminated an afternoon ESL class at Whittier in 2008-09.
- We closed some under-performing Distance Learning satellite sites and offered additional timeslots at BESST Center in 2008-09. Our D.L. attendance is up dramatically…150% last week.
- We added an Older Adults class at Autumn Years in 2008-09. Our Older Adults attendance is also up considerably…49% last week.
- We mitigated a continuing decline at BESST Evening by adding an “intersession” multi-level ESL class to accommodate a surge of early enrollees. Last week we were down -7%…but that is an improvement from -16% the week before…and -15% the week before that.
Any ideas on the recent surge at CMHS??? We’re happy to see it back in the black!
Posted in Attendance | Tagged Attendance, Newport-Mesa Adult School | 2 Comments »
On Tuesday, 01/20/09, the BESST Center will join Rea Elementary in an all-site earthquake drill at 1:15pm.
Here’s what you can do to prepare:
Prior to the Drill
Grey font = recommended but not required
- Instruct your students how to Drop, Cover and Hold On!
- Listen to audio drill broadcast files with your class in English and/or Spanish
- Watch “Preparedness Now,” a compelling new film that depicts what will happen in a “big one,” and other videos *
- If you are on search and rescue, review our emergency radio operation tips sheet
- Review our 2008-09 NMUSD Adult School Emergency Plan
- Consult our Emergency Drill Checklist for Teachers
During the Drill
- Drop, Cover and Hold On!
- Follow our 2008-09 NMUSD Adult School Emergency Plan
- Consult our Emergency Drill Checklist for Teachers
- Attach your All-Clear (green) or Not-Clear (red) sign on your door
- Lead students to assigned assembly areas via our evacuation route (first student in line carries the room number sign)
- Complete the Post Evacuation Report on your Emergency Clipboard
- Wait for the All-Clear signal from the Command Center
Posted in Emergency Prep | 2 Comments »
We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny… Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly.” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
Monday, January 19
- Holiday - See http://www.mlkday.gov/ for info on MLK Day of Service
“The aim is to make the holiday a day ON, where people of all ages and backgrounds come together to improve lives, bridge social barriers, and move our beloved nation closer to the “Beloved Community” that Dr. King envisioned.”
Week of January 20-23
- TOPS Updates
- Student Transfer Slips
- End-of-Semester Self-Evaluations
- Class Surveys
Tuesday, January 20
- Earthquake Drill (with Rea El) – 1:15pm
Wednesday, January 21
- School News Article Due (spotlight on HSD program)
Friday, January 23
- Student Transfers due to Patsy
- TOPS Updates due to Martha
Week of January 26-30
- Orientation PowerPoints for Next Level ESL
- Individual and class goal reflections
- Achievement Awards
- Persistence Celebration
Tuesday, January 27
- ESL Orientation at Sonora – 8-11am
Friday, January 30
- End of Semester
Go to End-of-Semester Essentials for the essentials you’ll need these next two weeks (surveys, orientation PowerPoints, TOPS Update instructions, Self-Evaluations…)
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | 1 Comment »
Here’s a comparative look at our average attendance by site and program. We’re comparing 1st week of January, 2008 to 1st week of January, 2009.
| Week 28 | 1/7/08-1/11/08 | 1/509-1/9/09 | |
| Site | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | % change |
| BESST AM | 149.6 | 205.6 | 37% |
| HSD | 55.8 | 66.5 | 19% |
| Satellite (DL, OCC) | 7.4 | 13.0 | 76% |
| BESST PM | 291.5 | 245.2 | -16% |
| Whittier | 88.2 | 79.6 | -10% |
| CMHS | 42.0 | 35.5 | -15% |
| Older Adults | 48.8 | 74.4 | 52% |
| Total | 683.3 | 719.8 | 5% |
Posted in Attendance | Leave a Comment »
Posted in Tech-Enhanced Inst. | Leave a Comment »
Posted in Tech-Enhanced Inst. | Leave a Comment »
As the sun sets on 1st semester at Newport-Mesa Adult School, here again are Martha’s End-of-Semester Essentials to help you hit the lip and rip….without any gnarly wipe-outs.
Keep it smooth, Dudes and Dudettes!
Click on BACK after viewing a file to return to this post.
CASAS Assessment Resources
Certificates
ESL Curriculum Pacing Plans
ESL Student Self-Evaluations (Student Test Scores)
- Beginning Literacy
- Beginning Low
- Beginning High
- Intermediate Low
- Intermediate High
- Advanced Low
- Advanced High
Orientation PowerPoints
- Beginning Literacy ESL Orientation PowerPoint
- Beginning Low ESL Orientation PowerPoint
- Beginning High ESL Orientation PowerPoint
- Intermediate Low ESL Orientation PowerPoint
- Intermediate High ESL OrientationPowerPoint
- Multi-Advanced ESL Orientation PowerPoint
Surveys
- ESL Student Textbook Survey (online)
- High School Diploma Graduates Survey (online)
- Student Technology Survey (Exit) (online)
- Student Survey, 2008-09 (hard copy)
Testing and TOPS Update Schedules
- ESL Testing Calendar (CASAS and Promotional Test Dates)
- Suggested Timeline for Promo Test & Updates – BESST
- Suggested Timeline for Promo Test & Updates – Whittier
TOPS Update Instructions
TOPS Update Materials
- TOPS Update Form (copyright CASAS)
- TOPS Update Translation (Field 9)
Posted in ESL | Tagged end of semester | 10 Comments »
Tuesday, January 13
- PLC Team Meeting has been CANCELLED.
Wednesday, January 14
- Promotional Test, BESST AM, PM, Night, before break
- Last unit not included
Thursday, January 15
- Promotional Test, Whittier AM, before break
- Last unit not included
Friday, January 16
- Student Certificate Requests Due to Mari
Monday, January 19
- Holiday – MLK Day
Week of January 20-23
- TOPS Updates
- Student Transfer Slips
- End-of-Semester Self-Evaluations
- Class Surveys
Friday, January 23
- Student Transfers due to Patsy
- TOPS Updates due to Martha
Week of January 26-30
- Orientation PowerPoints for Next Level
- Individual and class goal reflections
- Achievement Awards
- Persistence Celebration
Friday, January 30
- End of Semester
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | Leave a Comment »
Student Council 2007-08
Student Council asked for it! They helped make it! THEY GET IT!
How do learners become LEADERS at N-MUSD Adult School? Continue reading to learn how our 2007-08 Student Council changed how we do intake & orientation at our school. View/save/edit our student-created PowerPoints and use them in your classes for Orientation Week…and beyond. Continue Reading »
Posted in ESL, Persistence | Tagged Adult Education, orientation PowerPoints, Persistence | 1 Comment »
Click link for Evacuation Procedures.
Lessons Learned from today’s drill:
- Radio operators should switch from channel 1 to 2 for communication with Rea.
- We need room key for WIC.
- Search & Rescue partners need to work together, not separately, for their own safety and efficacy.
- We need a key that opens all rooms for Search & Rescue team.
- Infant-Toddler Lead Teacher needs a hands-free method for carrying radio.
If you have other “lessons learned” from today’s Fire Drill, please add them in the comment field or email Martha. Thank you!
Posted in Emergency Prep | 4 Comments »
The BESST Center will join Rea Elementary in an all-site Fire Drill on Friday, January 9, from 1:25pm – approx 1:35pm.
Please follow these Evacuation Procedures.
Posted in Emergency Prep | Leave a Comment »
Month of January
Thursday, January 8
- CASAS Post Test II, BESST AM, PM, Night, after break
- Students w/ 2 benchmarks do not test.
Friday, January 9
- CASAS Post Test II, Whittier AM, after break
- Students w/ 2 benchmarks do not test.
- Fire Drill, 1:25-1:35pm, BESST Center & Rea El.
Tuesday, January 13
- PLC Team Meeting, 2:45-4:15pm, BESST Center, Room 114
- Email Martha if you’re interested in serving on this team.
Wednesday, January 14
- Promotional Test, BESST AM, PM, Night, before break
- Last unit not included
Thursday, January 15
- Promotional Test, Whittier AM, before break
- Last unit not included
Friday, January 16
- Student Certificate Requests Due to Mari
Monday, January 19
- Holiday – MLK Day
Week of January 20-23
- TOPS Updates
- Student Transfer Slips
- End-of-Semester Self-Evaluations
- Class Surveys
Friday, January 23
- Student Transfers due to Patsy
- TOPS Updates due to Martha
Week of January 26-30
- Orientation PowerPoints for Next Level
- Individual and class goal reflections
Friday, January 30
- Achievement Awards
- Persistence Celebration
- End of Semester
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | 3 Comments »
Tonight and tomorrow I will give a 15-minute Persistence Presentation to each ESL class at the BESST Center.
The presentation objectives are:
- increase attendance during these ADA-lean winter months
- stress the importance of persistence and goal attainment
- show how attendance & persistence directly impact our program
- inform students of the many learning opportunities at NMUSD Adult School
For more on persistence in adult education, read John P. Comings’ Persistence: Helping Adult Education Students Reach Their Goals.
Posted in Persistence | Tagged Adult Education, Persistence | 1 Comment »
Check out CALPRO’s 2009 Online Professional Development Courses.
For these courses, all you need to get started is an e-mail address, an Internet connection, and a few hours a week for study, scheduled at your own convenience. Besides getting to exchange ideas with colleagues in the course, participants may also register for Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Enrollment is limited to 20 participants per course, and is on a first-registered, first-enrolled basis.
You can register here for the gift that keeps on giving.
Posted in Prof. Development | Tagged Adult Education, CALPRO, online courses, professional development | Leave a Comment »
In these tough economic times, our community of learners and leaders are asking about JOBS! Check out the new career information on our Newport-Mesa Adult School Website and share this resource with your students.
How Do You Get There?
- Go to http://adulted.nmusd.us/.
- Click on the RESOURCES drop down menu.
- Select Career Training.
Posted in Career Technical Ed | Tagged Adult Education, career training | Leave a Comment »
Mark your calendars now!
Tuesday, December 16
- Emergency Prep Training, 7:30am-3:30pm, Costa Mesa Civic Theater (Mike, Martha, Larry, Patsy, Jose Luis, Michael, Mandi)
Wednesday, Dec 17
- Martha’s 15-Minute Talk on Persistence, 6:30-8:30, BESST Classes
Thursday, December 18
- Martha’s Talk on Persistence, 8:30-11am & 12-2:30pm, BESST Classes
- Adult Ed Holiday Celebration, 2:45-4:45pm, BESST Center
Friday, December 19
- Intruder Lockdown Drill, 9:45-10:00am, BESST Center & Rea El.
Winter Recess - Dec 22-Jan 2
Thursday, January 8
- CASAS Post Test II, BESST AM, PM, Night, after break
- Students w/ 2 benchmarks do not test.
Friday, January 9
- CASAS Post Test II, Whittier AM, after break
- Students w/ 2 benchmarks do not test.
- Fire Drill, 1:25-1:35pm, BESST Center & Rea El.
Tuesday, January 13
- PLC Team Meeting, 2:45-4:15pm, BESST Center, Room 114
- Email Martha if you’re interested in serving on this team.
Wednesday, January 14
- Promotional Test, BESST AM, PM, Night, before break
- Last unit not included
Thursday, January 15
- Promotional Test, Whittier AM, before break
- Last unit not included
Friday, January 16
- Student Certificate Requests Due to Mari
Monday, January 19
- Holiday – MLK Day
Week of January 20-23
- TOPS Updates
- Student Transfer Slips
- End-of-Semester Self-Evaluations
- Class Surveys
Friday, January 23
- Student Transfers due to Patsy
- TOPS Updates due to Martha
Week of January 26-30
- Orientation PowerPoints for Next Level
- Individual and class goal reflections
Friday, January 30
- Achievement Awards
- Persistence Celebration
- End of Semester
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | Tagged Newport-Mesa Adult School | Leave a Comment »
Adult Education at the BESST Center, in coordination with Rea Elementary, Health Services, Hope Clinic, and Language & Assessment Center will have a Lockdown Drill on Friday, December 19th at 9:45am. Break will be from 9:20-9:35am on this day only.
Please review the BESST Center Lockdown Procedures prior to next Friday’s drill. Thank you, Team!
Posted in Emergency Prep | Tagged emergency preparedness, lockdown drill | 2 Comments »
Here is a 2007 vs. 2008 comparison of the average daily attendance by site and program.
| Week 23 | 11/26-11/30 | 12/01-12/5 | |
| Site | 2007 | 2008 | % change |
| BESST AM | 192.8 | 237.8 | 23% |
| HSD | 67.2 | 70.0 | 4% |
| Satellite (DL, OCC) | 10.4 | 20.0 | 92% |
| BESST PM | 344.5 | 292.2 | -15% |
| Whittier | 88.6 | 85.6 | -3% |
| CMHS | 64.0 | 34.5 | -46% |
| Older Adults | 45.0 | 78.6 | 75% |
| Total | 812.5 | 818.7 | 1% |
| Week 20 | 11/5 – 11/9 | 11/10 – 11/14 | |
| Site | 2007 | 2008 | change |
| BESST AM | 226.4 | 272.5 | 20% |
| HSD | 65.8 | 76.7 | 17% |
| Satellite (DL, OCC) | 13.6 | 14.0 | 3% |
| BESST PM | 391.0 | 344.7 | -12% |
| Whittier | 99.2 | 111.8 | 13% |
| CMHS | 58.0 | 50.0 | -14% |
| Older Adults | 47.6 | 65.2 | 37% |
| Total | 901.6 | 934.9 | 4% |
| Week 18 | 10/22 – 10/26 | 10/27 – 10/31 | |
| Site | 2007 | 2008 | change |
| BESST AM | 237.2 | 300.2 | 27% |
| HSD | 64.0 | 70.5 | 10% |
| Satellite (DL, OCC) | 11.8 | 18.4 | 56% |
| BESST PM | 381.8 | 369.0 | -3% |
| Whittier | 109.2 | 117.2 | 7% |
| CMHS | 68.0 | 56.5 | -17% |
| Older Adults | 38.0 | 71.2 | 87% |
| Total | 910.0 | 1003.0 | 10% |
| Week 16 | 10/8 – 10/12 | 10/13 – 10/17 | |
| Site | 2007 | 2008 | change |
| BESST AM | 255.0 | 296.2 | 16% |
| HSD | 70.2 | 69.8 | -1% |
| Satellite (DL, OCC) | 15.8 | 20.4 | 29% |
| BESST PM | 406.0 | 380.5 | -6% |
| Whittier | 108.0 | 109.0 | 1% |
| CMHS | 67.5 | 53.0 | -21% |
| Older Adults | 47.8 | 68.6 | 44% |
| Total | 970.3 | 997.5 | 3% |
| Week 14 | 9/24 – 9/28 | 9/29 – 10/03 | |
| Site | 2007 | 2008 | change |
| BESST AM | 273.0 | 292.8 | 7% |
| HSD | 71.2 | 67.5 | -5% |
| Satellite (DL, OCC) | 17.0 | 21.0 | 24% |
| BESST PM | 401.5 | 390.0 | -3% |
| Whittier | 128.0 | 113.2 | -12% |
| CMHS | 82.0 | 54.5 | -34% |
| Older Adults | 40.6 | 66.0 | 63% |
| Total | 1013.3 | 1005.0 | -1% |
Posted in Attendance | Tagged Adult Education, Attendance | Leave a Comment »
Today’s training Quick Tricks for Powerful PowerPoints will be in the computer lab at the BESST Center, room 118, from 2:45-4:45pm.
Click here for Lora’s handout.
Click here for the 12-10-08 Tech Training Evaluation.
Highlights and Hashouts
I learned to put music into a power point presentation.
At today’s technology training, I gained the following knowledge: implementing PowerPoint into my class with music.
I learned how to change a PowerPoint Presentation and how to insert sound or music into a presentation.
I will use and create PowerPoint presentations to engage my students into learning. I will incorporate learning strategies shared in our training to make PowerPoint presentation effective.
The training was great.
I learned how to create better power point presentations and convert music to mp3.
What I would like to change or add to trainings in the future: printed directions
In today’s training I gained the following knowledge: how to convert wav to mp3, how to add and remove music from a power point, and how to edit/change existing PowerPoints.
I commit to applying my newly acquired skills in the following way: linking an edited version of a power point on my class blog for students to access in class and at home.
What I liked best about today’s training: Wide range of practical skills readily usable in class
What I would like to change or add to trainings in the future: Possibly slow down for hands-on follow through, then redo on individually without prompts (on own). This was done at one point. Very helpful.
I increased my proficiency in power point development and making it a learning tool.
By December 19, 2008, I commit to applying my newly acquired knowledge and/or skills in the following way: I would like to be able to make a power point demonstration and present with my students.
I loved the teaching approach all the instructors had. Their kindness and teaching styles were very helpful. They are all quite educated in this area of expertise.
What I would like to change or add to trainings in the future: I can’t think of a thing. This training is so important and helpful for me. Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to expand my computer-challenged self.
Posted in Tech Trainings | Tagged Adult Education, professional development, technology | 2 Comments »
CASAS recently revised and revalidated its CASAS Competencies. Writes CASAS,
The changes update the life and work skills needed by youth and adults in today’s society and reflect the increased role of technology in the 21st century. Competency areas that have been expanded or added include:
- education
- health and medical information
- financial literacy
- media literacy
- technology
Posted in Assessments | Tagged CASAS competencies | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, December 10
- Tech Training, 2:45-4:45pm, BESST Center, room 118
- Health & Safety, 3:00-4:00pm, District SIMC (Martha)
Tuesday, December 16
- Emergency Prep Training, 7:30am-3:30pm, Costa Mesa Civic Theater (Mike, Martha, Larry, Patsy, Jose Luis, Michael, Mandi)
Thursday, December 18
- Adult Ed Holiday Celebration, 2:45-4:45pm, BESST Center
Winter Recess - Dec 22-Jan 2
Please check with your lead teacher or site administrator for the dates and times of your site-based PLC teams and tech tips in December.
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | 1 Comment »
Without 21st century skills, students are being prepared to succeed in yesterday’s world – not tomorrow’s.
At Newport-Mesa Adult School, our mission is to help our learners and leaders acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to be productive workers, family members and citizens in our ever-changing 21st century world. Achievement of this mission requires fiscal foresight, discipline, and budget reserves. Read on to learn how NMUSD Adult School uses strategic planning to support our school goals.
Posted in WASC - All Categories | Leave a Comment »
Click here for our 12-03-08 Site Council Agenda.
Click here for our 12-03-08 Site Council Minutes.
Posted in Site Council | Tagged Newport-Mesa Adult Education, Site Council | Leave a Comment »
The annual December Dip sends us in self-searching spins. Why are the students leaving? What am I doing…or not doing? Be not afraid; you are not alone. ‘Tis the season for adagio tempos.
Let’s jazz things up! Here are some ideas to help you dance the AttenDance and celebrate persistence.
- Reflect on the goals you set at the beginning of the school year.
- Give recognition/certificates for achievement on end-of-unit tests.
- Give recognition/certificates for student attendance.
- Discuss the importance of daily attendance.
- Use an attendance graph for tracking student attendance.
- Use the funny-money awards system. We have lots of funny-money prizes; see Patsy for details.
- Reward your Top Attender in December with a dictionary!!! I put several in the lounge; help yourselves! (Max: 2)
Posted in Persistence | Tagged Adult Education, Persistence | Leave a Comment »
| Week 20 | 11/5 – 11/9 | 11/10 – 11/14 | |
| Site | 2007 | 2008 | change |
| BESST AM | 226.4 | 272.5 | 20% |
| HSD | 65.8 | 76.7 | 17% |
| Satellite (DL, OCC) | 13.6 | 14.0 | 3% |
| BESST PM | 391.0 | 344.7 | -12% |
| Whittier | 99.2 | 111.8 | 13% |
| CMHS | 58.0 | 50.0 | -14% |
| Older Adults | 47.6 | 65.2 | 37% |
| Total | 901.6 | 934.9 | 4% |
| Week 18 | 10/22 – 10/26 | 10/27 – 10/31 | |
| Site | 2007 | 2008 | change |
| BESST AM | 237.2 | 300.2 | 27% |
| HSD | 64.0 | 70.5 | 10% |
| Satellite (DL, OCC) | 11.8 | 18.4 | 56% |
| BESST PM | 381.8 | 369.0 | -3% |
| Whittier | 109.2 | 117.2 | 7% |
| CMHS | 68.0 | 56.5 | -17% |
| Older Adults | 38.0 | 71.2 | 87% |
| Total | 910.0 | 1003.0 | 10% |
| Week 16 | 10/8 – 10/12 | 10/13 – 10/17 | |
| Site | 2007 | 2008 | change |
| BESST AM | 255.0 | 296.2 | 16% |
| HSD | 70.2 | 69.8 | -1% |
| Satellite (DL, OCC) | 15.8 | 20.4 | 29% |
| BESST PM | 406.0 | 380.5 | -6% |
| Whittier | 108.0 | 109.0 | 1% |
| CMHS | 67.5 | 53.0 | -21% |
| Older Adults | 47.8 | 68.6 | 44% |
| Total | 970.3 | 997.5 | 3% |
| Week 14 | 9/24 – 9/28 | 9/29 – 10/03 | |
| Site | 2007 | 2008 | change |
| BESST AM | 273.0 | 292.8 | 7% |
| HSD | 71.2 | 67.5 | -5% |
| Satellite (DL, OCC) | 17.0 | 21.0 | 24% |
| BESST PM | 401.5 | 390.0 | -3% |
| Whittier | 128.0 | 113.2 | -12% |
| CMHS | 82.0 | 54.5 | -34% |
| Older Adults | 40.6 | 66.0 | 63% |
| Total | 1013.3 | 1005.0 | -1% |
Posted in Attendance | Tagged Attendance, Newport-Mesa Adult | 1 Comment »
Happy December!
Wednesday, December 3
- Site Council, 2:45-4:15pm, BESST Center, room 114
Thursday, December 4
- Birthday Celebration, 2:30-3:30pm, BESST Center, lounge
Friday, December 5
- ACSA Meeting, 11:30am-1:00pm, Garden Grove (Martha)
- HSD Meeting, 1:30-2:00pm, BESST Center, Mike’s office
- RSVP Due Date for Adult Ed Holiday Celebration
Wednesday, December 10
- OCC Presentations, 9:15-10:45am, Whittier Adult School
- Tech Training, 2:45-4:45pm, BESST Center, room 118
- Health & Safety, 3:00-4:00pm, District SIMC (Martha)
Tuesday, December 16
- Emergency Prep Training, 7:30am-3:30pm, Costa Mesa Civic Theater
Thursday, December 18
- Adult Ed Holiday Celebration, 2:45-4:45pm, BESST Center
Winter Recess - Dec 22-Jan 2
Please check with your lead teacher or site administrator for the dates and times of your site-based PLC teams and tech tips in December.
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | Tagged Newport-Mesa Adult Education | Leave a Comment »
It’s free. It’s simple. It’s easily accessible. It can be used inside or outside the traditional classroom. It teaches basic English skills and helps adults improve their English proficiency.
At NMUSD Adult School, we can use this web site as 1) an online component of our ESL Distance Learning Program and 2) a supplemental resource for our traditional ESL classes.
Click on USALearns Fact Sheet to learn more about the project. Click on http://www.usalearns.org to start using this great site!
Posted in ESL | Tagged Adult Education, USA Learns, USALearns | 5 Comments »
Check out this video! Pay Attention
Transforming Teaching Through Technology
Posted in Tech-Enhanced Inst. | Tagged technology, video | Leave a Comment »
Here’s a screencast that shows you how to add animation to your PowerPoint.
Posted in Tech-Enhanced Inst. | Tagged animation, PowerPoint | Leave a Comment »
Do you want to quickly find teacher-made PPTs to support your curriculum?
Do you need quick tricks to create powerful PPTs to enhance student learning?
PLUG IN to our next site-based professional development opportunity!
- Quick Tricks for Powerful PowerPoints
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008, 2:45-4:45pm
- BESST Center Computer Lab, room 118
- Hands-on practice!!
- Gain a treasure-trove of premade PowerPoints from your colleagues
- Create your own PPT to support your current unit of study!!!
- Get paid for your participation!
- Trainers are our very own NMUSD Adult School teachers!!!
- RSVP to Martha at mrankin@nmusd.us today to secure your seat!
Posted in Tech Trainings | Tagged Newport-Mesa Adult School, PowerPoints, technology training | 8 Comments »
After some final modifications to our Monitoring and Evaluation goal, our Tech Team unanimously approved our NMUSD Adult Education Program’s Technology Plan 2008-10. Read on to view our plan. Continue Reading »
Posted in Professional Growth Team | Tagged Newport-Mesa Adult Education, technology plan | 2 Comments »
Here is our agenda for today’s meeting from 2:30-4:00pm (BESST Center, room 114). We plan to do the following:
- review our Technolution Plan 2008-10
- discuss and begin planning our Tech/Professional Growth trainings for 2008-09
Update 11/19/08 at 4:45 pm:
Here are the meeting minutes in full.
Here’s a snapshot:
- We made changes to Goal 5 Monitoring and Evaluation of our 2008-10 Tech Plan.
- We adopted the 2008-10 NMUSD Adult School Tech Plan unanimously.
- We planned our next site-based tech training:
- Quick Tricks for Powerful PowerPoints
- Wednesday, December 10th, 2008
- 2:45-4:45pm
- BESST Center, room 118
- paid attendance and participation
- hands-on practice
Posted in Prof. Development, Tech-Enhanced Inst. | Tagged Adult Education, professional growth plan, technology | Leave a Comment »
- DL Video Production Meeting: 3pm-5pm, BESST Center, room 116
Wednesday, November 19
- Tech & Prof Growth Team: 2:30pm-4pm, BESST Center, room 114
Thursday, November 20
- Site visit by Marian Thacher (director of OTAN): 1-3pm, BESST Center
- Our award-winning film festival: 2-2:30pm, BESST Center, room 112
Friday, November 21
- School News article due (Thanks, Margaret, Suzette, and students!)
- OCC presentations – 8:30-11am, BESST Center, rooms 113-118
Week of November 24 – 28
- Thanksgiving Break!
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | Tagged Newport-Mesa Adult Education | Leave a Comment »
At 10 a.m. on November 13, join millions of people throughout Southern California in the ShakeOut Drill, the largest earthquake preparedness activity in U.S. history! (info also in Spanish) Please click on BACK to return to this post.Here’s what you do:
Prior to the Drill
- Instruct your students how to Drop, Cover and Hold On!
- Listen to audio drill broadcast files with your class in English and/or Spanish
- Watch “Preparedness Now,” a compelling new film that depicts what will happen in a “big one,” and other videos
- If you are on search and rescue, review our emergency radio operation tips sheet
- Study our 2008-09 NMUSD Adult School Emergency Plan
- Consult our Emergency Drill Checklist for Teachers
During the Drill
- Drop, Cover and Hold On!
- Follow our 2008-09 NMUSD Adult School Emergency Plan
- Consult our Emergency Drill Checklist for Teachers
- Attach your All-Clear (green) or Not-Clear (red) sign on your door
- Lead students to assigned assembly areas via our evacuation route
- First student in line carries the room number sign
- Complete the Post Evacuation Report on your Emergency Clipboard
- Wait for the All-Clear signal from the Command Center
Good luck, team!
Posted in Emergency Prep | Tagged emergency preparedness | Leave a Comment »
Miguel’s Tech Tip: Our computer/digital photography teacher, Miguel Vasquez, shared a cool website http://classtools.net/ at last week’s PLC for our daytime ESL teachers.
Overview: It’s a great interactive tool for practicing vocabulary, comprehension, and grammar.
Classtools.net allows you to create free educational games, activities and diagrams in a Flash! Host them on your own blog, website or intranet! No signup, no passwords, no charge!
How To: Check out Mandi’s Easy How-To to help you get started.
Posted in ESL, Tech Tips | Tagged classtools.net, tech tip | 4 Comments »
This post is an updated version of Adult Education in the 21st Century, posted on October 18, 2007.
Without 21st century skills, students are being prepared to succeed in yesterday’s world – not tomorrow’s. Education must keep pace with societal changes and workplace demands, and adult education is no exception.
At Newport-Mesa Adult School, our mission is to help our learners and leaders acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to be productive workers, family members and citizens.
Read on to find out how NMUSD Adult School is redesigning our educational delivery model to meet the needs of our 21st century learners.
Posted in Prof. Development, Tech-Enhanced Inst. | Tagged 21st century, Adult Education, Newport-Mesa Adult School, technology-integrated instruction | Leave a Comment »
Great growth! Keep up the good work, team!!
| Week 14 | 9/24 – 9/28 | 9/29 – 10/03 | |
| Site | 2007 | 2008 | % |
| BESST AM | 273.0 | 292.8 | 7% |
| HSD | 71.2 | 67.5 | -5% |
| Satellite (DL, OCC) | 17.0 | 21.0 | 24% |
| BESST PM | 401.5 | 390.0 | -3% |
| Whittier | 128.0 | 113.2 | -12% |
| CMHS | 82.0 | 54.5 | -34% |
| Older Adults | 40.6 | 66.0 | 63% |
| Total | 1013.3 | 1005.0 | -1% |
| Week 16 | 10/8 – 10/12 | 10/13 – 10/17 | |
| Site | 2007 | 2008 | % |
| BESST AM | 255.0 | 296.2 | 16% |
| HSD | 70.2 | 69.8 | -1% |
| Satellite (DL, OCC) | 15.8 | 20.4 | 29% |
| BESST PM | 406.0 | 380.5 | -6% |
| Whittier | 108.0 | 109.0 | 1% |
| CMHS | 67.5 | 53.0 | -21% |
| Older Adults | 47.8 | 68.6 | 44% |
| Total | 970.3 | 997.5 | 3% |
| Week 18 | 10/22 – 10/26 | 10/27 – 10/31 | |
| Site | 2007 | 2008 | % |
| BESST AM | 237.2 | 300.2 | 27% |
| HSD | 64.0 | 70.5 | 10% |
| Satellite (DL, OCC) | 11.8 | 18.4 | 56% |
| BESST PM | 381.8 | 369.0 | -3% |
| Whittier | 109.2 | 117.2 | 7% |
| CMHS | 68.0 | 56.5 | -17% |
| Older Adults | 38.0 | 71.2 | 87% |
| Total | 910.0 | 1003.0 | 10% |
Posted in Attendance | Tagged Attendance, Newport-Mesa Adult School | 6 Comments »
Here is our agenda for today’s school site council meeting from 2:45-4:15pm. We will post our meeting minutes here in this blog post by 4:00pm on Friday.
Posted in Site Council | Tagged Site Council | Leave a Comment »
We held a mock general election today at Newport-Mesa Adult School. 182 students cast their ballots. A big thanks to Miguel Vasquez and our Career & Tech Ed students for counting the ballots and reporting our results so quickly.
Posted in Career Technical Ed | Tagged Adult Education, ballots, election, NMUSD Adult School, voting | 3 Comments »
Eighteen Newport-Mesa Adult School ESL teachers participated in our recent professional development trainings The Whole Persistence Kit and Caboodle. Here are some teacher comments about the days.
Thank you for encouraging us to learn more about new technology. Today, the Tech Tip was excellent. It will be useful for my class, and I’m planning to apply it as soon as possible.
The presentation on the All-Star Learner Persistence Kit was very good. The material [Tom] gave us will improve the current material we already have. I would like to obtain the PowerPoint presentation that he offered. Would you please get it for me? Thank you for organizing both presentations.
Today’s in-service was very good. I liked the presenter and the material he presented. I am glad we are continuing with our professional development. I know that everyone is looking forward to the next meeting.
Today’s PLC meeting was very productive and informative. The representative from McGraw-Hill did an excellent job of presenting different modalities…
Monday’s in service was excellent. Thank you for arranging it for us.
It was a great PLC meeting. The presentation inspired me to continue asking the students to write their short and long-term goals.
I enjoyed Miguel’s Tech Tip. I will definitely use it with my class.
Posted in Prof. Development | Tagged professional development | Leave a Comment »
Here’s a look at our average attendance by site and level.
Peak average attendance is indicated in green.
| Site Averages by Level | Sep 8-12 | Sep 15-19 | Sep 22-26 | Sep 29-Oct 3 | Oct 13-18 | Oct 27-Nov 1 | |
| BESST Night | Beg Low | 24 | 30.6 | 33.75 | 32.6 | 34.1 | 33.25 |
| Beg High | 34 | 37.25 | 35.75 | 34.625 | 34.625 | 31.25 | |
| Int Low | 33 | 37.875 | 35.875 | 35.875 | 32.5 | 31.5 | |
| Int High | 28 | 42.75 | 37 | 33 | 31.25 | 31.5 | |
| Advanced | 25 | 35 | 34.25 | 33 | 27.25 | 25.5 | |
| Citizenship | 17 | 13.5 | 16 | 12.5 | 14.5 | 17 | |
| Computers | 24 | 29.5 | 26.5 | 27.5 | 19.5 | 23.5 | |
| Site Averages by Level | Sep 8-12 | Sep 15-19 | Sep22-26 | Sep 29-Oct 3 | Oct 13-18 | Oct 27-Nov 1 | |
| BESST Day | Beg Low | 21 | 22.6 | 23 | 24.9 | 26.7 | 27.8 |
| Beg High | 28 | 27.6 | 28.3 | 29.5 | 29.5 | 32.3 | |
| Int Low | 33 | 31.6 | 29.2 | 25.3 | 26.6 | 27.7 | |
| Int High | 34 | 37 | 32 | 35.8 | 33.8 | 30.2 | |
| Advanced | 32 | 33.8 | 38.4 | 37.8 | 33 | 34.8 | |
| Computers | 27 | 27.7 | 26.4 | 24.3 | 24.6 | 21.6 | |
| GED | 14.5 | 15.75 | 13.75 | 12.25 | 13 | 13 | |
| Site Averages by Level | Sep 8-12 | Sep 15-19 | Sep22-26 | Sep 29-Oct 3 | Oct 13-18 | Oct 27-Nov 1 | |
| Whittier | Beg Low | 36 | 35.2 | 37.6 | 42 | 43.2 | 41.4 |
| Beg High | 19 | 21 | 22.4 | 25.4 | 20.8 | 22.8 | |
| Multi Inter | 21 | 23.6 | 28.8 | 26 | 24.8 | 29.2 | |
| Computers | 18 | 14.8 | 18.6 | 17.6 | 17.8 | 21.6 | |
| Site Averages by Level | Sep 8-12 | Sep 15-19 | Sep22-26 | Sep 29-Oct 3 | Oct 13-18 | Oct 27-Nov 1 | |
| CMHS | Beginning | 31 | 40.5 | 38.5 | 39 | 33 | 40 |
| Multi Inter | 17 | 16.5 | 15.5 | 15.5 | 20 | 16.5 | |
Posted in Attendance | Tagged Attendance, Newport-Mesa Adult School | Leave a Comment »
These recommendations come from Larry Ferlazzo’s Best of list. He writes:
Karaoke is a good language-development activity, and there are quite a few karaoke sites on the Internet….
[These sites are] …available free-of-charge (or at least some of its resources have to be free), easy-to-use, require no download, and allow students — either alone or in a group — to record themselves singing. A link to their performance can then be posted on a student or teacher website.
The Sims On Stage is clearly number one on the list. This wonderful site lets users easily record themselves singing karaoke and hosts the performances on-site. If students don’t want to sing, they can listen to countless others who have while the lyrics are streaming across the screen.
A new one just opened for business today. The Karaoke Channel Online has an extraordinary collection of songs available…for a price. However, if you choose the free option you have access to two hundred songs, though none of them are particularly up-to-date. But it’s a very easy process to record and save.
You might also be interested in The Best Music Websites For Learning English and The Best Sites To Practice Speaking English.
Thanks, Larry!
Posted in ESL | Tagged ESL | Leave a Comment »
Check out how Teacher Taylor used a couple o’ blogs to prepare his Intermediate ESL students for this week’s CASAS Post Test I.
TeacherT4U Blog – October 31, 2008 Post
Scroll down to AFTERNOON CLASS ONLY: CASAS TEST ON TUESDAY SO LET’S PRACTICE FOR IT.
Posted in Assessments, Tech-Enhanced Inst. | Tagged Adult Education, Assessment, blogs | Leave a Comment »
Don’t forget to fall back and relax this Saturday night (technically Sunday at 2:00am).
Enjoy your extra hour of sleep, all!
To learn more about Daylight Saving Time, read SAVING TIME, SAVING ENERGY Daylight Saving Time: Its History and Why We Use It .
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | Leave a Comment »
Here is a different angle on our attendance. As you can see, the number of adult learner hours has increased each year, while the number of concurrent learner hours (high school students) has declined.
| 2006-07 | |||
| Adults | Concurrent | Totals | |
| Summer | 30354.0 | 12658.0 | 43012.0 |
| Sep | 34239.5 | 3474.5 | 37714.0 |
| Oct | 48101.5 | 4904.0 | 53005.5 |
| Totals | 112695.0 | 21036.5 | 133731.5 |
| 2007-08 | |||
| Adults | Concurrent | Totals | |
| Summer | 33526.5 | 10295.5 | 43822.0 |
| Sep | 40875.5 | 3042.5 | 43918.0 |
| Oct | 53140.0 | 3822.0 | 56962.0 |
| Totals | 127542.0 | 17160.0 | 144702.0 |
| 2008-09 | |||
| Adults | Concurrent | Totals | |
| Summer | 38198.5 | 4900.5 | 43099.0 |
| Sep | 40552 | 2469.5 | 43021.5 |
| Oct | 55439.5 | 2777 | 58216.5 |
| Totals | 134190.0 | 10147.0 | 144337.0 |
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD, Attendance, WASC - All Categories | Tagged Adult Education, Attendance, Newport-Mesa Adult School | 5 Comments »
| Site | 2007 | 2008 | Difference | % change |
| BESST AM | 255 | 296.2 | 41.2 | 16% |
| HSD | 70.2 | 69.8 | -0.4 | -1% |
| Satellite (DL, OCC) | 15.8 | 20.4 | 4.6 | 29% |
| BESST PM | 406 | 380.5 | -25.5 | -6% |
| Whittier | 108 | 109 | 1 | 1% |
| CMHS | 67.5 | 53 | -14.5 | -21% |
| Older Adults | 47.8 | 68.6 | 20.8 | 44% |
| Total | 970.3 | 997.5 | 27.2 | 3% |
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD, Attendance, WASC - All Categories | Tagged Adult Education, WASC | Leave a Comment »
Our Tech / Professional Growth Team met this afternoon from 2:30 – 4:00pm to draft our Newport-Mesa Adult School’s Technology Plan, 2008-2010. Here it is. Your suggestions, additions, deletions, and commendations are welcome here in the comment field and/or by email. Thanks, everyone, for your input. (Click continue to view…) Continue Reading »
Posted in Tech-Enhanced Inst., WASC - All Categories | Tagged technology plan | 1 Comment »
Why did yesterday’s blog post Verb Power! Simply Pointing It Out get 329 student views in less than six hours?
One reason is that Newport-Mesa Adult School ESL Multi-Intermediate teacher, Taylor Blakely, linked to the post on his class blog. Check out what he did here:
Great idea, Taylor!
Posted in Tech Tips, Tech-Enhanced Inst. | Tagged Adult Education, blog, Newport-Mesa Adult School, technology | Leave a Comment »
On Wednesday, October 22, we’ll continue talkin’ ’bout our technolution at NMUSD Adult School.
Here’s what we accomplished at our October 6th Tech Team meeting:
- Reflected on where we’ve been (reviewing our 2004-08 Tech Plan)
- Assessed where we are now
- Dreamed about where we want to go
- Started to craft our 2008-10 Tech Plan to help us get there. Technology Plan – Vision, Rationale, and Goals
On October 22, we will revise the 5 goals of our 2004-08 Technology Plan (click BACK after viewing):
Goal 2: Professional Development
Very important, transformative work, y’all! We’re glad you’re on our team!!!
See you Wednesday at 2:30pm in room 116!!!
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD, Tech-Enhanced Inst. | Tagged Adult Education, technology plan | Leave a Comment »
Here’s a look at our ESL, computer, citizenship, and GED numbers. Peak average attendance is indicated in green.
| Program Averages | Sep 8-12 | Sep 15-19 | Sep22-26 | Sep 29-Oct 3 | Oct 13-18 | |
| BESST Night | Beg Low | 24 | 30.6 | 33.75 | 32.6 | 34.1 |
| Beg High | 34 | 37.25 | 35.75 | 34.625 | 34.625 | |
| Int Low | 33 | 37.875 | 35.875 | 35.875 | 32.5 | |
| Int High | 28 | 42.75 | 37 | 33 | 31.25 | |
| Advanced | 25 | 35 | 34.25 | 33 | 27.25 | |
| Citizenship | 17 | 13.5 | 16 | 12.5 | 14.5 | |
| Computers | 24 | 29.5 | 26.5 | 27.5 | 19.5 | |
| BESST Day | Beg Low | 21 | 22.6 | 23 | 24.9 | 26.7 |
| Beg High | 28 | 27.6 | 28.3 | 29.5 | 29.5 | |
| Int Low | 33 | 31.6 | 29.2 | 25.3 | 26.6 | |
| Int High | 34 | 37 | 32 | 35.8 | 33.8 | |
| Advanced | 32 | 33.8 | 38.4 | 37.8 | 33 | |
| Computers | 27 | 27.7 | 26.4 | 24.3 | 24.6 | |
| GED | 14.5 | 15.75 | 13.75 | 12.25 | 13 | |
| Whittier | Beg Low | 36 | 35.2 | 37.6 | 42 | 43.2 |
| Beg High | 19 | 21 | 22.4 | 25.4 | 20.8 | |
| Multi Inter | 21 | 23.6 | 28.8 | 26 | 24.8 | |
| Computers | 18 | 14.8 | 18.6 | 17.6 | 17.8 | |
| CMHS | Beginning | 31 | 40.5 | 38.5 | 39 | 33 |
| Intermediate | 17 | 16.5 | 15.5 | 15.5 | 20 | |
Posted in Attendance | Tagged Attendance | Leave a Comment »
Here is a Verb PowerPoint that points out the power of consistency and simplicity in verb practice. It uses simple, repetitive sentence structures to help ESL students differentiate between present progressive, simple past, and simple present verbs. The images come from FreeFoto.com.
A N-MUSD Adult School Beginning High ESL Teacher created the PowerPoint after an “unsuccessful” grammar lesson on the same concept. Lora writes,
Hi Martha. Remember the day I told you I had a terrible lesson, and you assured me that I would be able to fix it up? Well, this PowerPoint lesson is the result. I e-mailed it to Taylor first, and he’s so excited about it, he’s adapting it to his level. I used the inidividual white boards you have for teacher checkout in the CASAS office. The students showed me their responses to the questions before I revealed the correct answers. Please feel free to share it with anyone else who would like to have it… Since it’s there in its original form the photos and/or the words can be changed to suit the lesson.
Thanks, Lora, for sharing your SUCCESS in using materials, resources, and technologies to make subject matter accessible to students (Standard 3), modifying instructional plans to adjust for student needs (Standard 4), and using the results of assessments to guide instruction (Standard 5).
We are a community of learners and leaders!
Posted in ESL | Tagged Adult Education, ESL, PowerPoint, verb practice | 6 Comments »
Professional Development Opportunities:
N-MUSD Adult School Evening ESL/Citizenship Teachers:
All-Star Learner Persistence Kit Workshop!
Thursday, October 30, 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
BESST Center, Room 114
We’ll pay for your time & provide dinner!
RSVP mrankin@nmusd.us
Fun! Food! Prizes! Research!
N-MUSD Adult School Day ESL/Computer Teachers:
1-hr Intensive PLC PLUS
All-Star Learner Persistence Kit Workshop!
Monday, November 3, 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
BESST Center, Room 116
We’ll provide breakfast!
(K + Adult Staff Development DAY!)
Fun! Food! Prizes! Research!
Blog Tagline: We share to impart, impact, improve, and empower.
Our School Tagline: We are a community of learners and leaders!
Posted in Persistence, Prof. Development | Tagged Adult Education, Persistence, professional development | 1 Comment »
Here is today’s site council agenda:
Return to this post on Friday for our meeting minutes.
It’s Friday…. Thank you, Mandi, for your detailed minutes: ssc_minutes_10-15-08
Here are some revisions based on input from today’s site council meeting:
- Student Transfer Policy, revised 10/15/08 by Site Council (SC)
- Student Transfer Procedure, revised 10/15/08 by SC
- Suggested Script for Water-Drop Phone Calls, revised 10/15/08 by SC
- Some Thoughts on Blog Sharing, discussed 10/15/08 by SC
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD, Site Council | Tagged Adult Education, Site Council agenda | 1 Comment »
We’re thrilled to launch our 2008-09 Professional Learning Community at NMUSD Adult School! This is our chance to 1) meet together twice a month to talk about student achievement, 2) problem-solve with our teams, 3) find out what others are doing, and 4) share what we are doing.
Specifically, our PLC focus for FY 2008-09 is best-practice curriculum delivery and common formative assessments. You may arrange yourselves however you deem most helpful in this focus.
BESST Night Site will launch their PLC team meetings tomorrow, Wednesday, October 15, 2008 from 8:25 – 9:05pm in room 119. Please dismiss your students at 8:20pm so we can begin the meeting promptly at 8:25pm.
Here’s a partial list of ideas for your PLC time. Please print out this list and bring it with you to your PLC meeting. Thank you!
Best to the BESST,
Martha
We are a vibrant community of learners and leaders!
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD, PLC Work | Tagged Adult Education, PLC, Professional Learning Community | 8 Comments »
Image by http://www.free-stockphotos.com
A jug fills drop by drop. ~ Buddha
Every week. Let’s look inside our jug. At our drops. Students that no longer come to class.
Where do they go? Why do they go? How can we help them persist?
In one drop of water are found all the secrets of all the oceans. ~ Kahlil Gibran
Let’s ask the questions. Let’s ”deal critically and creatively with reality and discover how to participate in the transformation of our world.” ~ Paulo Freire
Ideas:
- Let’s talk to students about the importance of regular attendance.
- Let’s teach our students to call our office to report an absence.
- Let’s inform our students that they will be dropped from the class rosters with 5 consecutive, unexcused absences.
- Let’s call our Drops to tell them we miss them and want to help them attain their educational goals. Suggested Script for Water-Drop Phone Calls
Words are things, and a small drop of ink, falling like dew upon a thought, produces that which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think. ~ Lord Byron
Your interest and concern matter. Your ideas matter. Your words matter…so, so much…when it comes to student persistence.
Our students ~ and their goals ~ matter.
Let us persist with what matters.
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD, Persistence, WASC - All Categories | Tagged Adult Education, Persistence | 6 Comments »
Here’s a year-to-year attendance comparison by site for Week 14.
| Site | 2007 | 2008 | Difference | % change |
| BESST AM | 273 | 292.8 | 19.8 | 7% |
| HSD | 71.2 | 67.5 | -3.7 | -5% |
| Satellite (DL, OCC) | 17 | 21 | 4 | 24% |
| BESST PM | 401.5 | 390 | -11.5 | -3% |
| Whittier | 128 | 113.2 | -14.8 | -12% |
| CMHS | 82 | 54.5 | -27.5 | -34% |
| Older Adults | 40.6 | 66 | 25.4 | 63% |
| Total | 1013.3 | 1005 | -8.3 | -1% |
Note 10/23/08: I goofed on my first posting of the DL attendance and gave you the sum rather than the average. The totals changed slightly based on this correction.
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD, Attendance | Tagged Adult Education, Attendance, WASC | 1 Comment »
On Wednesday, October 15, 2008 our School Site Council will be revising our school goals for 2008-09.
Please take a look at our 2007-08 School Vision, Mission, and Goals and email your revision ideas to your Site Council Members and/or post your ideas here in the comment box. Thanks. Learn on! Lead on!
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD, Site Council, WASC - All Categories | Tagged Adult Education, Mission, School Goals | Leave a Comment »
Yesterday our Tech/PG Team met from 2:30pm-4:00pm to discuss our vision and goals for our 2008-10 Technology Plan.
Here is a draft of our work. Feel free to email Martha your comments and/or submit them in the comment box of this post. Thank you!
The Technology/Professional Growth Team: Carlos, Carole, Corinne, Jeff, Mandi, Martha and MikePosted in Adult School - NMUSD, Professional Growth Team, Tech-Enhanced Inst., WASC - All Categories | Tagged Adult Education, technology plan | 2 Comments »
Today we begin our fifth week of instruction. Now is the time to do some persistence-building activities!
- Reflect on the goals you set at the beginning of the school year.
- Give recognition/certificates for achievement on end-of-unit tests.
- Give recognition/certificates for student attendance.
- Discuss the importance of daily attendance.
- Use an attendance graph for tracking student attendance.
- Use the funny-money awards system. We have lots of funny-money prizes; see Patsy for details.
| Program Averages | 1st week | 2nd week | 3rd week | 4th week | |
| BESST Night | Beg Low | 24 | 30.6 | 33.75 | 32.6 |
| Beg High | 34 | 37.25 | 35.75 | 34.625 | |
| Int Low | 33 | 37.875 | 35.875 | 35.875 | |
| Int High | 28 | 42.75 | 37 | 33 | |
| Advanced | 25 | 35 | 34.25 | 33 | |
| Citizenship | 17 | 13.5 | 16 | 12.5 | |
| Computers | 24 | 29.5 | 26.5 | 27.5 | |
| BESST Day | Beg Low | 21 | 22.6 | 23 | 24.9 |
| Beg High | 28 | 27.6 | 28.3 | 29.5 | |
| Int Low | 33 | 31.6 | 29.2 | 25.3 | |
| Int High | 34 | 37 | 32 | 35.8 | |
| Advanced | 32 | 33.8 | 38.4 | 37.8 | |
| Computers | 27 | 27.7 | 26.4 | 24.3 | |
| GED | 14.5 | 15.75 | 13.75 | 12.25 | |
| Whittier | Beg Low | 36 | 35.2 | 37.6 | 42 |
| Beg High | 19 | 21 | 22.4 | 25.4 | |
| Multi Inter | 21 | 23.6 | 28.8 | 26 | |
| Computers | 18 | 14.8 | 18.6 | 17.6 | |
| CMHS | Beginning | 31 | 40.5 | 38.5 | 39 |
| Intermediate | 17 | 16.5 | 15.5 | 15.5 | |
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD, Attendance, Persistence, WASC - All Categories | Tagged Adult Education, Persistence | Leave a Comment »
Hi N-MUSD Adult School Tech/PG Team (You rate!),
On Monday, October 6th, we’ll start talkin’ ’bout our technolution.
Here’s what we’ll do at our first 2008-09 Tech/Professional Growth Team meeting:
- Reflect on where we’ve been (reviewing our 2004-08 Tech Plan)
- Assess where we are now
- Dream about where we want to go
- Start to craft our 2008-10 Tech Plan to help us get there
For reflection and assessment purposes, here are the vision, mission and 5 goals of our 2004-08 Technology Plan (click BACK to return to this post):
Vision, Mission, Goals Statements
Goal 2: Professional Development
Very important, transformative work, y’all! We’re glad you’re on our team!!!
See you Monday at 2:30pm in room 116!!!
Posted in Tech-Enhanced Inst. | Tagged Adult Education, technology plan | 1 Comment »
Here are our attendance averages for weeks 1, 2, and 3. Attendance grew at our Whittier site in all four classes. Nice work, Whittier! I think it paid off to attend Whittier’s Back-to-School night to trumpet our program!!
| Program Averages | 1st week | 2nd week | 3rd week | |
| BESST Night | Beg Low | 24 | 30.6 | 33.75 |
| Beg High | 34 | 37.25 | 35.75 | |
| Int Low | 33 | 37.875 | 35.875 | |
| Int High | 28 | 42.75 | 37 | |
| Advanced | 25 | 35 | 34.25 | |
| Citizenship | 17 | 13.5 | 16 | |
| Computers | 24 | 29.5 | 26.5 | |
| BESST Day | Beg Low | 21 | 22.6 | 23 |
| Beg High | 28 | 27.6 | 28.3 | |
| Int Low | 33 | 31.6 | 29.2 | |
| Int High | 34 | 37 | 32 | |
| Advanced | 32 | 33.8 | 38.4 | |
| Computers | 27 | 27.7 | 26.4 | |
| GED | 14.5 | 15.75 | 13.75 | |
| Whittier | Beg Low | 36 | 35.2 | 37.6 |
| Beg High | 19 | 21 | 22.4 | |
| Multi Inter | 21 | 23.6 | 28.8 | |
| Computers | 18 | 14.8 | 18.6 | |
| CMHS | Beginning | 31 | 40.5 | 38.5 |
| Intermediate | 17 | 16.5 | 15.5 | |
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD, Attendance, Career Technical Ed, Persistence, WASC - All Categories | Tagged Adult Ed, Attendance, Career Technical Ed, ESL, GED | Leave a Comment »
NMUSD Adult School will share our experiences with professional learning communities and site-based professional development at the ACSA 2008 State Conference in Sacramento, September 24-26, 2008. Adult Schools Matter! brochure
On Thursday, September 25, 2008, Marian Thacher and I will co-present Web 2.0 for Administrators. I will talk about how I use our Adult Ed Matters blog as an administrative tool. Click on Web 2.0 for Administrators to view my portion of the presentation’s PowerPoint. Click on BACK to return to this page.
On Friday, September 26, 2008, I will present Adult Ed Matters ~ Building a PLC in a Web 2.0 World. You can view/download/save my workshop resources: PowerPoint and handout. Click on BACK to return to this page.
Adult Schools Matter!
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | 3 Comments »
by Mandi Spottsville, Distance Learning Program Coordinator
The Newport-Mesa Adult School is using a wonderful program to help meet the needs of parents who cannot attend our 3-hour classes but who still want to learn English. This program is called EASY English. The EASY program is a set of DVDs and corresponding work packets that students bring home to study. Read on to learn about the series and how you can participate…for FREE! (Parent Letter in English and Spanish included) Continue Reading »
Posted in ESL, Persistence, WASC - Category C | Tagged Distance Learning, EASY English, ESL | Leave a Comment »
We are a vibrant community of learners and leaders!
Our ongoing professional development is a priority because it has a positive impact on student learning. We use our individual development plans (IDPs) as tools to reflect on our practices, develop our skills, achieve our goals, and further our school mission.
At our planning meeting in September, our Site Council agreed to focus on technology-integrated instruction and student persistence as 2008-09 school goals and adopted our Individual Development Plan, 2008-09.
To see Martha’s Individual Development Plan for 2008-09, please click here.
By October 9, 2008 please do the following:
- Submit your completed IDP to Martha
- Add your new technology goals for 2008-09 to this blog post in the comment box.
Thank you, diligent Learners and Leaders! May you find rich insight and renewed passion in this time of goal setting and self-reflection.
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD, Prof. Development, WASC - All Categories, WASC - Category A, WASC - Category B | Tagged Individual Development Plan | 35 Comments »
Congratulations to our vibrant learning community at NMUSD Adult School!
NMUSD Adult School has earned full accreditation from The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Accrediting Commission for Schools. In the Initial Visit Visiting Committee Report, the Executive Director of WASC writes:
“This school truly has developed a ‘vibrant learning community’ of professional staff. Teachers appear to be genuinely enthusiastic about the work they do, including an active interest in collaboration and sharing of best practices…, the work of which is strongly supported by the school’s web blog http://adultedmatters.wordpress.com/.
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | Leave a Comment »
Please help us spread the word about our dynamic community of learners and leaders here at Newport-Mesa Adult School!
Click on Continue Reading to view/download/save our marketing packet for NMUSD schools, local businesses, and community agencies. FREE classes! Pass it on!! Continue Reading »
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | 3 Comments »
NMUSD Adult School ~ a dynamic community of learners and leaders!
We learn to become wise leaders in our families, our workplaces, and our local, national and global community. Education…becomes the practice of freedom, the means by which men and women deal critically and creatively with reality and discover how to participate in the transformation of their world. Paulo Freire
Here are some great interactive resources to help you transform your learners into Leaders, 2008:
prepared by Jim Brice, ESL instructor at San Diego Community College DistrictBrain Pop: Presidential Election
- fun, simple videos on democracy, voting, the U.S. Constitution…
- quizzes
- activities
Scholastic News Countdown to Election 2008
Do you know where the candidates for President stand on the issues? …Discover what John McCain and Barack Obama think about major social and political issues. Then, test your knowledge of the candidates and their positions with the Where the Candidates Stand guessing game.
Candidate Bios 2008 created by Jim Brice
1) Count off A, B, C, and D in your group.
2) Go to the web site for your candidate listed below.
3) Read about your candidate and write one note about each category below.
4) Fill in the other spaces in class with your group later.
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD, ESL | Tagged candidates, ESL, presidential elections | Leave a Comment »
I hope you had a GREAT first week of instruction. Thanks for all you do to make our students feel welcome, comfortable and ready to learn and lead.
Now…let’s get ready for week two: book sales and student transfers! Read on for info and tools to help you out. Continue Reading »
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | Leave a Comment »
We want to remind all ESL teachers, administrators, and office assistants at Newport-Mesa Adult School that our student transfer policy and procedure are as follows… Continue Reading »
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD, ESL, WASC - All Categories, WASC - Category A, WASC - Category B | Tagged ESL, ESL levels, student transfers | 1 Comment »
New Certificate Program at Newport-Mesa USD Adult School!
Our new Office Assistant Certificate Program is designed to assist students to prepare for successful employment in an office setting. The program consists of:
- textbook exercises
- computer applications
- apprenticeship projects
To learn more about this new project-based apprenticeship program, please check out these resources:
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD, WASC - All Categories, WASC - Category A, WASC - Category B, WASC - Category C | Tagged High School Diploma, Office Assistant Certificate | 4 Comments »
Have you checked out The Lesson Plan Builder? Here’s what OTAN says about its web-based lesson builder:
The Lesson Plan Builder makes it easier for you to develop quality lesson plans that address adult education content standards in the context of CASAS and SCANS competencies.
The Lesson Plan Builder….
- provides a customer friendly template to develop lessons for adult educators
- provides sample lessons as models
- allows the user to “backward design” a lesson
- provides a quick link to CASAS and SCANS competencies
- stores lessons for future use
- allows sharing with a group or publicly
I signed in (free…easy) and tested it out (very cool!).
Idea: You can use it to develop your formal observation lesson plan. You will surely dazzle your administrator. I’ll be interested to see what you think of this resource.
Posted in Prof. Development, WASC - All Categories, WASC - Category A, WASC - Category B | Tagged OTAN lesson plan builder | Leave a Comment »
One fellow adult ed administrator/blogger emailed me this question today:
How does your site obtain paired scores for your students?
I emailed him with the steps we take at NMUSD Adult School to get as many CASAS paired scores as possible…plus 5 resources to help with the process. We hope these ideas are helpful. Good luck, all! Continue Reading »
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD, Assessments, WASC - All Categories, WASC - Category A, WASC - Category B | Tagged CASAS paired scores | Leave a Comment »
The CASAS pre-test is coming to NMUSD Adult School next week ~ September 16 & 18. Check the Testing Calendar for your site’s testing date. Also, please review your CASAS’ Sweet Home to prepare for next week’s pre-test. In particular, look at the following resources before administering the CASAS pre-test to your class next Tuesday or Thursday. Good luck with the pre-test, team! I wish you the best. ~Martha
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD, Assessments, WASC - All Categories, WASC - Category A, WASC - Category B | Tagged CASAS test | Leave a Comment »
Newport-Mesa Adult School just created CASAS’ Sweet eHome: a happy home for all your CASAS materials. The purpose of the CASAS’ Sweet eHome is to organize and easily share documents we have created to make CASAS testing process more efficient and effective at our adult school.
Click on Continue Reading » to view, download, and/or edit our 2008-09 CASAS testing documents in the CASAS’ Sweet eHome. These editable documents were created by N-MUSD Adult School for our teachers’ convenience.
Nuestras CASAS Son Sus CASAS! We share to impart, impact, improve, and empower!
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD, Assessments, WASC - All Categories, WASC - Category A, WASC - Category B | Tagged CASAS Test materials | Leave a Comment »
Let’s spread the word about our dynamic community of learners and leaders here at Newport-Mesa Adult School!
This week we began pre-registration for our 2008 Fall Semester at NMUSD Adult School.
Problem: Our pre-registration enrollment numbers are markedly lower than last year’s numbers.
Solution: Let’s start marketing!
At our site council meeting yesterday, we brainstormed ideas for increasing enrollment through an energized marketing campaign. Here are some ideas from yesterday’s meeting.
- Send out a marketing packet to district schools, local businesses and community agencies:
- letter of introduction after viewing, click BACK to return to this site
- informational flyers (English and Spanish) after viewing, click BACK to return to this site
- poster (approx 18″x24″) after viewing, click BACK to return to this site
- Fall brochure 2008 (English) after viewing, click BACK to return to this site
- Fall brochure 2008 (Spanish) after viewing, click BACK to return to this site
- Request to attend Back-to-School Nights and provide information about or program
- Add an email address on the registration forms so we can send out email reminders
- Duplicate our NMUSD Adult School DVD to loop at Back-to-School Nights
- Create an English Distance Learning: Up Close and Personal DVD to promote our DL program
- Investigate the possibility of sending out an All-Call announcement to EL parents
- Contact our local TV channel and newspaper
- Make and hang another banner on fence in front of the BESST Center
In the comment field, please add your innovative ideas for marketing our excellent and extensive adult education program at Newport-Mesa Adult School!
Photo from http://www.freefoto.com/index.jsp
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | 2 Comments »
Here is the agenda for our site council meeting on Wednesday, September 3, 2008 from 2:45-4:15pm: ssc-agenda-09-03-08.
Added September 5, 2008
Here are the minutes from our September 3rd site council meeting: ssc-minutes-09-03-08.
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | Leave a Comment »
On his blog Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day……For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL, Larry compiled a list of helpful sites for remembering 9/11 in the ESL classroom. Check out these excellent resources:
Inside 9/11 is from the National Geographic. It has short video interviews, along with transcripts, of key people connected to the event, including survivors.
Complete an audio exercise on 9/11 at the Web Language Lab. (Note: We’re now commemorating the seventh anniversary.)
America’s Day Of Terror from the BBC has a lot of excellent information. In fact, it might have too much for English Language Learners, so you might want to point students to particular sections of the site.
The Cable News Network has a special page of video and audio clips related to the attack.
New York Magazine has a Photo Gallery of that day’s events.
Voice of America has a series of audio broadcasts, with text, about the 9/11 Anniversary and its effects years later.
The Biography Channel has a Profiles of 9/11 Photo Gallery.
Posted in ESL | Tagged 9/11, ESL, Patriot Day | Leave a Comment »
We want our substitute teachers to have a productive and pleasant experience with our wonderful students at Newport-Mesa Adult School. To help with this goal, we created the first STEP: Substitute Teacher Essentials Packet (click back to return to this site).
The STEP is an editable document that includes the following:
- Table of Contents
- Substitute Teacher Instructions
- Our Mission and Beliefs
- Today’s Lesson Plan
- Time Fillers
- Online Resources – recommended by N-MUSD Adult School
- Daily Journal – suitable for Beginning ESL levels
- Daily Journal – suitable for Intermediate/Advanced ESL levels
- End of Class Reflection (for students)
- End of Class Feedback (for substitute teacher)
Our NMUSD Adult School teachers must have an emergency lesson plan on file at the office by September 19, 2008. We hope our STEP will help you organize and easily create your emergency plan.
To review our NMUSD Adult School procedures for requesting a substitute, read When You Need a Substitute (click back to return to this site).
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD, Persistence, WASC - All Categories, WASC - Category A | Tagged substitute lesson plans | 2 Comments »
Here is a great parent-ed resource, provided by the Latino Educational Attainment Initiative: The Ten Education Commandments for Parents.
Excerpt from the LEA Website:
What is the future of your business?
Will your business have the skilled workers it needs to compete in the global economy?To fill the gaps left by education, to assist Latino parents on how to advocate for their children and to spark the importance of education in Latino neighborhoods, the Latino Educational Attainment initiative is working to unify the community, students and parents to produce a highly skilled workforce for the future.
The project’s long-term goal is to create neighborhood-based groups that will provide navigational skills to parents in all of the areas around the 100 low-performing schools in the county.
Read parent testimonials about LEA and its impact on OC neighborhoods
View survey results displaying the impact LEA is having here.
Read LEA’s profile in the Orange County Register.
Posted in Family Literacy | Tagged Adult Education, Parent Education | Leave a Comment »
I’m cleaning out old files and found this list of student retention strategies. I don’t have an author’s name; our thanks goes out to Anonymous.
- Explain how classroom lessons apply to everyday life. Show each lesson’s relevance / application.
- Let students know they are missed when they don’t come.
- Help your students identify a specific goal for attending your class. Research shows that adult students with a clear goal are more likely to persist than those without.
- Students need to “see” their progress. It must be measurable to them: portfolios, pre/post tests, test scores, written evaluations…
- Employ a variety of instructional methods to reach all students. Research shows that group work and discussion generates energy and enthusiasm leading to great participation. Do class projects!
- Build self-efficacy/confidence by: recognizing their progress, celebrating their achievements, and presenting models of success.
Resources on student retention in adult education – worth a look!
-
Build Motivation by Building Learner Participation by Barbara Garner
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Here Today – Gone Tomorrow: Strategies for Motivating and Retaining Adult Learners: Listed below are the agenda, powerpoint, and training materials from the student retention workshop conducted at the 2005 Basic Skills Conference by Kathi Polis of Strategic Training and Resources, Inc. Agenda Powerpoint Activity 1 Activity 2 Activity 3 Research and Resource Packet Strategies for Managing Positive and Negative Forces Strategies for Building Self Efficacy Strategies for Setting Clear Goals Strategies for Showing Progress
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Improving Student Retention in Adult Education Programs
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Research to Practice: Increasing Retention Through Student Success By Kari Malitz and Sarah Nixon-Ponder
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The First Three Weeks: A Critical Time for Motivation by B. Allan Quigley
Posted in Persistence | Tagged Adult Education | 1 Comment »
Newport-Mesa Adult School ~ a community of learners and leaders!
Come celebrate our community of learners and leaders at our Student Leadership Celebration, immediately following the last Student Council meeting of the 2007-08 school year. :)
Student Council Meeting: (Student Council members only, please) Friday, June 6, 2008 10:00-11:00am Room 121 Student Leadership Celebration: (All interested students and staff are invited!) Celebration Invitation Friday, June 6, 2008 11:00-11:20am Room 121 Refreshments providedPosted in Adult School - NMUSD, Student Council | Tagged Student Council | Leave a Comment »
Final stretch. 2 weeks. 2 days. Too much to do!
To help, here again are Martha’s essential tools to help you keep your sanity and enjoy the last two weeks of instruction and assessment. Keep it smooth, friends!
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | Leave a Comment »
The results of our NMUSD district-wide teacher professional development survey are in! Here you go!
Image from Free Digital Photos
Note: After viewing any document, click on BACK to return to the blog post.
2008 Teacher PD Survey – School & District Wide Comparison
2008 Teacher PD Survey – Summary Results
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD, Prof. Development | Tagged professional development evaluation | Leave a Comment »
An exciting time to learn and lead!
At today’s Region 17 ACSA meeting, I will briefly talk about the statewide evolution to a more site-based professional development delivery model and share the current research that supports this change.
I will also offer my perspective on how we can help each other in this process. Click on KEEP READING to view my list of leading-edge online PD hot spots for CA adult educators.
It is an exciting time to be an innovative learner and leader in CA Adult Education! Read on! Lead on!! Continue Reading »
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD | Leave a Comment »
We are a community of continuous learners and leaders!
Our Professional Growth Team met on May 14 to begin planning our professional development for the 2008-09 school year. For more info on the meeting, click here.
Meeting Update
- PG Team unanimously approved the 2008-2009 Proposed PD Budget.
- We discussed TIMAC , nominated 3 teachers, and had an e-vote.
- We elected Mandi to be our TIMAC teacher-applicant.
- Martha and Mandi submitted TIMAC applications.
- We discussed the 2008-2009 Professional Development Plan – Draft I.
- We revised the 2008-09 PD Plan by email.
- Based on team input, we wrote 2008-09 PD Plan – Draft II .
Action Items
- All NMUSD Adult School staff are encouraged to review the 2008-09 PD Plan – Draft II and share your input in this blog post or by email (mrankin@nmusd.us) by June 10.
- Our PG Team will have virtual meetings (via email/blog) to finalize the PD Plan based on all-staff input June 11-19.
- We’ll submit our final PD Plan & Budget to Site Council’s Strategic Planning Session on June 20.
Posted in Adult School - NMUSD,