District 518 column: Adult Basic Education records strong enrollments this fall

Adult Basic Education (ABE) Back-to-School Conferences

Adult Basic Education (ABE) offers a variety of classes throughout the school year and summer. Similar to the K-12 school system, Adult Basic Education hosted back-to-school conferences with students prior to the start of the fall quarter.

Recorded Learning Goals

This was the first time ABE hosted back-to-school conferences and many students attended. These conferences gave teachers an opportunity to discuss and record learning goals with each adult student. Teachers also updated each student’s contact information as well as transportation and childcare arrangements.

Classes Offered

ABE is now a month into the fall quarter and classes are going well. ABE consistently offers the following classes:

• English classes
• Civics/citizenship classes
• Digital literacy classes
• High school equivalency (GED preparation) classes

Evening classes, which students attend from 6 to 8 p.m. either Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday, are very popular right now. Most evening classes have 20 or more students. Daytime classes are also going well but are not as full.

Online Classes and Workforce Readiness

In addition to attending in-person, students may choose to attend classes online from home. Although this is an option, many students prefer to attend in-person and decide to attend online when they have a sick child or some other interruption to their weekly schedule.

Workforce readiness classes are offered occasionally as well. This fall’s workforce readiness classes are helping people prepare for the education paraprofessional competency exams and written driver’s license exam. The driver’s license class had 25 participants and the paraprofessional competency class had 12 participants. If interested, individuals may pick up a copy of the Minnesota Driver’s Manual in Spanish or Burmese at Community Education for a $5 deposit.

Collaborations and Funding

Other workforce readiness programs have included Certified Nursing Assistant training, welding training, and community interpreter training. These programs have been offered in collaboration with Minnesota West Community & Technical College, the Private Industry Council, and Career Force.

The ABE Coordinator for SW ABE South region is Stacy Everding. In addition to Worthington, the local coordinator manages the funding and collaborates with many area school districts to offer in-person ABE classes in Fairmont, Fulda, Luverne, Madelia, Mountain Lake, St. James, and Windom. Licensed teachers provide instruction for adults in each of these communities. ABE classes are available free of charge due to federal and state funding. The Worthington office can direct interested students to the appropriate contact person in other districts that we manage.

Enrollment Information

Individuals interested in enrolling in Worthington ABE classes may call (507) 727-1278 to sign up for an intake/orientation session. Intake/orientation sessions are offered every other week; daytime and evening sessions are available. In Worthington, ABE classes are offered at the new Community Education building, 827 N. Crailsheim Rd.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.6: By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy.
   • Indicator: Number of adults participating in adult education programs.

2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.6: By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training.
   • Indicator: Proportion of youth (aged 15-24 years) not in employment, education, or training.

Analysis

The article discusses the Adult Basic Education (ABE) program, which offers a variety of classes to adults. The issues highlighted in the article are related to education and workforce readiness. Based on this information, the following SDGs, targets, and indicators can be identified:

SDG 4: Quality Education

This SDG is addressed as the ABE program aims to provide quality education to adults. The program offers classes such as English, civics/citizenship, digital literacy, and high school equivalency (GED preparation). This aligns with Target 4.6 of ensuring that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults achieve literacy and numeracy. The number of adults participating in adult education programs can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards this target.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

This SDG is connected to the workforce readiness programs mentioned in the article. The ABE program collaborates with organizations to offer training programs such as Certified Nursing Assistant training, welding training, and community interpreter training. These programs contribute to Target 8.6 of reducing the proportion of youth not in employment, education, or training. The proportion of youth (aged 15-24 years) not in employment, education, or training can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards this target.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: dglobe.com

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