Organizational example:
Tacoma Community College
Organization/Program |
Merged ABE, ESL and Workforce programs |
Program Purpose |
To help individuals with low literacy skills access job training and career pathways programs |
Program Description |
In an effort to be more deliberate in combining adult literacy and job training, college leaders developed a model that integrates contextualized Adult Basic education (ABE) or English as a Second Language (ESL) with technical training and career pathways. For example, for the early childhood education pathway, the college recruited low-paid assistants with limited English ability from local child care centers for a program that integrates ESL and ABE with introductory early childhood education. At the end of the course, completers can receive nine hours of credit towards a degree along with a certificate that earns them higher wages at local child care centers. |
Progress |
The college is working on implementing additional career tracks to include an enhancement to the current early childhood education track as well as office professional technologies and accounting options. |
Contact Information |
Kim Ward, Director of Adult Basic Skills |
Information from Kiim Ward of Tacoma C.C., and from Liebowitz & Taylor, 2004.