1
Volume 11, Issue 2
SUMMER 2011
The Arkansas Adult
Learning Resource
Center provides equal
access to all programs
and activities.
Literacy Council of Benton County‘s student 54-
year old Joe Arnold is a great guy who had
an unique start in life. When Joe was a
baby, his father was outside holding him
when lightning struck Joe‘s diaper pin,
traveled through him, injured part of his
brain and blinded him in his right eye. In his
soft spoken manner, Joe talks about going
to school. .The kids on the bus made fun of
me. They called me =retard‘ and =stupid.‘ I
wasn‘t stupid; it was the brain injury from
the lightning that just made it hard for me to
learn to read. But I understood things!.
Joe stayed in public school until the fourth
grade. He was then transferred to a school for children with disabilities or
developmental delays. At that time there wasn‘t much known about teaching
people with learning disabilities, and although that school was a great place for
a child with Down Syndrome or a very low I.Q., there wasn‘t much done there to
help Joe. He left when he was 15. He still couldn‘t read. Joe had no problem
getting his driver‘s license or his HAZMAT certification, because those tests
were read out loud to him.
Fast forward to four years ago when Joe came to Literacy Council of Benton
County with a goal of obtaining his GED so he could improve his employment.
Always hardworking, he does physical labor now and is hoping to find
something less strenuous as he gets older. There were better job options open
to him, but he needed his GED.
At Literacy Council of Benton County (LCBC) he was
matched with a great tutor who patiently worked with
him, and he did make progress, just not as quickly as
he would have liked. His tutor asked if Joe had been
tested to see if he had a learning disability. LCBC‘s
Literacy Coordinator Jennifer Vandiver arranged for
Patti White (Disabilities Project Manager with Arkansas
Adult Learning Resource Center) to evaluate Joe.
Upon her recommendation, Joe was referred to a GED
examiner and a psychologist. After their extensive
examinations, Joe received approval for
accommodations in his quest for his GED. Joe and his
tutor got down to some seriously dedicated study
sessions, with help from Northwest Technical Institute
in Springdale, where Joe took his GED tests.
In the first part of April of this year, Joe took the last of the three GED tests.
Then he waited. On April 28, his mailbox held his long-sought GED certificate!
On June 21, 2011, Joe walked across the stage to receive his GED certificate
as part of the NTI graduation ceremony in Springdale. The kids on the bus were
wrong. You go, Joe!
Arkansas Adult Learning
Resource Center
525 West Capitol Avenue
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 800-832-6242
501-907-2490
FAX: 501-907-2492
http://www.aalrc.org
Joe Arnold Earns GED
By Vicki Ronald, Executive Director, Literacy Council of Benton County
“The other kids
on the bus
always made
fun of me and
called me
retarded…
but I always
knew I wasn’t."
pg_0002
2
Adult Learning Network
Governor
Mike Beebe
State Board of
Career
Education
Director,
William L. “Bill"
Walker, Jr.
Division of
Rehabilitation
Services
Robert Trevino
Adult Education
Division
James H.
Smith, Jr.
Division of Career
& Technical
Education
John Davidson
Communications
Deborah
Germany
Human Resources
& Development
Pam Harris
Finance
Charles Brown
Calendar
All events are at the AALRC unless otherwise noted.
Professional Development/Events:
July
July 14 – GED Examiners
July 19-21 – Summer PD
July 25-27 – ESL Institute
August
August 2 – Best Plus
August 3 – TABE
August 4 – AERIS
August 8 – New Administrator Meeting
September
September 13-14 – Standard in Action
September 20 – AERIS
September 20-21– LD Comprehensive (Session 1)
September 28 – Excel
September 29 – Movie Maker
TRAVEL
Reimburse-
ment
Local programs
funded with state
or federal adult
education funds
must adhere to
Arkansas
Department of
Finance and
Administration
guidelines when
requesting travel
reimbursement.
UALR Adult Education Classes Now Open for Enrollment
The fall semester is quickly approaching, and the University of
Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) is the perfect place for you to earn a
master‘s degree or complete your Arkansas Teacher Licensure in
adult education. Currently there are more than 70 students in the
program who work in GED, adult basic education, literacy, medical,
military, community, religious, human resources, corrections, or
non-profit settings. The program works with your schedule. You can take courses in
eight- or sixteen-week formats. Most courses are online or web-enhanced, which
gives you the flexibility you need and the opportunity to have some face-to-face
interaction with your instructors and peers. There is still time for you to apply to the
program if you plan to start in the fall. The classes do fill quickly, so it is in your best
interest to apply as soon as possible and enroll at the first opportunity. More
information can be found at
http://ualr.edu/med/AED/
.
The National Coalition for Literacy is working with Members of
Congress to dedicate National Adult Education and Family Literacy
Week 2011 for the week of September 12. See activities from 2010
for ideas to raise awareness of adult education and family literacy
this year at
http://www.national-coalition-literacy.org/
.
Mark Your Calendars for September 12
-
18, 2011
pg_0003
3
Adult Learning Network
Arkansas Adult Education has been selected to participate in the National Career
Awareness Project, a national effort to foster collaboration between adult basic
education and career/professional development. Centers selected include Northwest
Arkansas Community College Adult Education, Fayetteville Adult Education Center,
Crawford County Adult Education Center and Conway Adult Education Center.
The National Career Awareness project is managed by the Literacy Information and
Communication System (LINCS) and the National College Transition Network (NCTN),
with funding from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Vocational and Adult Education.
.Arkansas Adult Education understands that academic preparation must be coupled with career readiness,.
stated William .Bill. Walker, Jr., Director of Arkansas Department of Career Education. .Programs and
support for adult education like the National Career Awareness Program are part of our plan to continually
develop our state into a top contender for new business and industry opportunities..
Participating adult education centers will develop a customized approach to implementing the Career
Awareness Project curriculum into local adult education programs. Each center will have access to a sup-
port group of peers and facilitators/advisors with expertise in the area of career exploration and planning.
.The National Career Readiness Project is one of many ways local adult education centers are working to
expand their service offerings to students,. commented Marsha Taylor, Director of Arkansas Adult Learning
Resource Center. .Our focus is to continue to train our students and prepare them for the demands of a
knowledge-based work environment..
Arkansas Adult Education works cooperatively with local, state, and federal agencies such as the Depart-
ment of Human Services and the Department of Workforce Services to provide free adult education classes
to each of the 75 counties in Arkansas. The Adult Education Division of the Arkansas Department of Career
Education provides services to more than 75,000 Arkansans each year. The free Adult Education classes
are English as a Second Language, Basic Math, Reading, Writing, and Workplace Computer Literacy.
Adults who improve their academic skills by earning their GED
®
will earn nearly $10,000 more annually.
To learn more about Arkansas Adult Education and the free classes available, call 1-877-963-4GED (1-877
-963-4433) or visit
www.aalrc.org
.
New Education & Instruction Coordinator, Sherreccia Jackson
Arkansas Adult Education Partners with the National Career Awareness Project
Please welcome the latest staff member, Sherreccia Jackson, to the Adult Education Division (AED). Mr.
Jackson holds an advanced degree in both Education and Theology.
Continuing his desire to be a
.Lifelong Learner., he will be defending his doctoral thesis in October of this year to complete the final
requirements of his doctoral program to receive a PhD in Education.
Mr. Jackson brings to AED a total of eight years of educational experience, which includes
the K-12 educational environment and higher education.
Mr. Jackson, a Mississippi native,
relocated to Colorado in 2006 to become the education director for a 1500-bed medium
custody adult male correctional facility in an adult education center. He
partnered with Colo-
rado Community Colleges Systems and taught V-Net and Distant Learning classes to critical
area high schools and was an adjunct professor of Social Science for a local community
college.
Mr. Jackson is happily married to his wife of seven years, Tiffany Jackson.
He is a published author and
pastor.
He enjoys reading, writing, cooking and spending quality time with his family and friends.
In his new position as Education & Instruction Coordinator AED, Mr. Jackson will assist with program
reviews and site visits, run statistical reports for the state, assist in streamlining processes in AERIS and
review AED policies and procedures for clarity, conciseness, and compliance.
pg_0004
4
Adult Learning Network
News from the Disabilities Project Manager
Program Reviews and ADA Compliance
When the Program Managers of the Arkansas Department of Career
Education, Adult Education Division conduct program reviews at local
adult education and literacy centers, the review includes eight questions
about program compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of
1990 (ADA). Following is an examination of each of the questions,
including helpful websites to help your program better prepare for its
program review and ensure that your program is in compliance with the
ADA.
1. Does the program have a written process for screening, referrals, diagnosis, and tracking of
students with disabilities. Possible screening components may include the following:
1. Informal interview
2. Informal observation (e.g., low TABE scores, distractibility, sub-vocalizing, hearing/vision problems,
processing speed, lack of progress, other characteristics of adults with learning disabilities, etc.)
3. Washington State Learning Disabilities Screening (13-Question Tool)
4. Payne-Jordan Learning Needs Inventory
5. Vision Therapy Assessment Screening Tool
6. PowerPath™ screening tool
7. Test/re-test with and without accommodations
Many programs use a variety of screening tools to best meet the needs of individual students. For your
program review, you should compile copies of the questionnaires your program uses to include in the
binder you prepare for the review, and be prepared to discuss other screening components used, such as
informal observation and test/re-test with and without accommodations.
There are comprehensive learning disabilities diagnostic referral process guidelines available at
http://
aalrc.org/resources/ld/referralProcess.aspx
. These guidelines should also be included in your program
review binder, and be prepared to discuss your own experiences with the referral process. If your program
has not made any referrals for learning disabilities diagnoses, remember that you may contact Patti White
anytime at
prwhite@madisoncounty.net
or 800.569.3539 for assistance with that process.
2. Does the program follow guidelines according to the Arkansas Adult Education Policy and Pro-
cedures Manual for Serving Students with Learning Disabilities and/or Attention Deficit/
Hyperactivity Disorder (LD Policy Manual).
Both the checklist and the manual are available at
http://aalrc.org/resources/ld/policyManual/index.aspx
(the checklist is a separate link at the top of that page). You should print a copy of the checklist and fill it
out if you haven‘t already done so, and include it in your program review binder. There are page numbers
by each item on the checklist that direct you to the page of the LD Policy Manual that includes the
information on the checklist.
pg_0005
5
Adult Learning Network
AALRC
Advisory
Committee
Janie Carter,
Chair,
Crossett
Emily Barrier,
Little Rock
Carrie Boden,
Little Rock
Richard
Hampton,
Texarkana
Becky Linsky,
Hot Springs
Tara Rice,
North Little
Rock
Gary
Udouj,
Vice-Chair,
Fort Smith
Ruth Ann
Williams,
Conway
3. Are all programs accessible and barrier-free
in accordance with requirements of the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
(ADA). Does the program conduct an an-
nual self-evaluation of ADA compliance.
There are two Program Accessibility ADA
Checklists available to ensure your program‘s
compliance with the accessibility requirements
of the ADA. The most commonly used is the
one included in the LD policy manual (Appendix
B), which you can print from the website at
http://aalrc.org/resources/ld/policyManual/appendixB.pdf
. There is
another, more environmentally comprehensive checklist available at
http://aalrc.org/resources/ld/policyManual/index.aspx
(see link at the top of
the webpage) that would be good to include with the other one in your pro-
gram review binder.
The purpose of these checklists is to make sure that students with disabilities
have full access to your program, including physical access and access to
services and materials provided.
4. Who is the designated ADA Coordinator for the program. Does the pro-
gram have this person’s name and contact information clearly posted
near the program’s point of entry.
If your program is affiliated with a public school system or a post-secondary
educational institution, there may be someone already designated as the ADA
Coordinator. You can check with your institution‘s administration to find out who
that person is and then post his or her name and contact information in your own
program location. If your program is unaffiliated with any other institution, as most
literacy councils are, you should designate as your ADA Coordinator a paid staff
member or administrator who is knowledgeable about all issues related to adult
students with disabilities.
5. Does the program provide public notice of its commitment to equal ac-
cess to all programs and services.
There are sample public notice statements available at
http://aalrc.org/resources/
ld/policyManual/appendixD.aspx
. You should post one of the shorter notices on
your program‘s letterhead close to your program‘s front door, and another one
near your receptionist‘s desk. These usually say something like, .For information
about program services for persons with disabilities, Contact: [insert the name and
phone number of disability contact person here]..
Longer equal opportunity statements should be included in program bulletins,
handbooks, and application forms. One such example is included on the website
mentioned above.
News from the Disabilities Project Manager
pg_0006
6
Adult Learning Network
AALRC Staff
Director
Marsha Taylor
___________________
Administrative
Assistant
Wanda Johnson
Professional
Development
Coordinator
Nancy Loftis
Media
Coordinator
Klaus Neu
Secretary
Toccara Baker
Information
Technology
Specialist
Rob Pollan
Disabilities
Project
Manager
Patti White
News from the Disabilities Project Manager
6
. Does the program have a written ADA grievance policy.
There is a sample grievance policy available at
http://aalrc.org/resources/ld/
policyManual/appendixG.aspx
. You should print this or something similar on
your program‘s letterhead to include in your program review binder.
7. Does the program file the “Learning Disabilities Annual Report" each
year with the AALRC Disabilities Project Manager.
The LD Annual Report form is available at
http://aalrc.org/resources/ld/
policyManual/index.aspx
. You should print a copy of your last 3-5 annual report
forms to include in your program review binder.
8. Does the program have a separate, locked, con-
fidential file for housing confidential docu-
ments related to disabilities. Does the file in-
clude a “Student Records Log" form in the
front of the file.
There is a sample Student Records Log form available
at
http://aalrc.org/resources/ld/policyManual/
appendixE.pdf
. This should be printed and kept in
your confidential file cabinet to document access.
If you have any questions about any of the forms or procedures regarding ADA
compliance, please contact Patti White at
prwhite@madisoncounty.net
or
800.569.3539.
New GED Request for Accommodations Forms
GEDTS in Washington D.C. has just released their new accommodations
request forms for immediate distribution and use. Copies of old forms should be
destroyed and no longer distributed, although accommodations requests already
in process using the old forms will be accepted until September 1, 2011.
When students with disabilities ask about the accommodations process, please
include the following documents along with your verbal explanation:
The appropriate request form(s)
The Documentation Guidelines for Candidates
The appropriate Documentation Guidelines for Evaluators
All of the documents are now available at
http://www.acenet.edu/Content/
NavigationMenu/ged/test/Take/Accommodations_Disab.htm
and will also be
available on the AALRC‘s website at
http://aalrc.org/resources/ld/
ged_forms.aspx
.
For more information, or if you have any questions, please contact Patti White at
prwhite@madisoncounty.net
or 800.569.3539.
pg_0007
7
Adult Learning Network
Tech
Talk
Note: To link to any web address (URL) in this newsletter, go to the AALRC's home page
at http://aalrc.org
, look up this newsletter, and then just click on the appropriate link.
Having a hard time seeing your web pages.
Great Educational Websites
http://mpsabe.mpls.k12.mn.us/ABE_Computer_Labv2.html
Great English and GED links.
http://www.az-aall.org/AALL/Pages/Links/Studentlinks.htm
Arizona Association for Lifelong
Learning Links for ABE/GED/ESOL Learners.
http://freerice.com/index.php
Free Rice - Great site for learning in a game-like format. It defaults
to a vocabulary game, but click on .change subjects. to see the rest it has to offer.
Whether you are browsing the web or your
students are using web-based educational
software, sometimes it helps to enlarge the
page. Hold down Ctrl and press .+. to
enlarge, and hold down Ctrl and press .-. to
shrink. Pressing Ctrl and 0 will bring it back to
the original size.
Another way to achieve the same thing, if you
have a middle mouse wheel, is to hold Ctrl
down while turning the mouse wheel up or
down. This works in Internet Explorer,
Chrome, and Firefox.
Khan Academy has over 2100 instructional videos that
students can watch at their own pace, as many times as
they would like.
Go to
http://www.khanacademy.org/about
to see the
video that explains all of the amazing features available
on the website. This complete, custom, self-paced learn-
ing tool includes a dynamic system for getting help and a
custom profile, points, and badges to measure progress.
According to the site developers, .Students can make
use of our extensive video library, practice exercises, and
assessments from any computer with access to the web..
pg_0008
8
Adult Learning Network
Arkansas Literacy Councils held its Annual Meeting recently at the Arkansas Governor‘s Mansion.
Eighty delegates representing 38 of ALC‘s 41 active councils attended the annual meeting, an
exceptional turnout.
Current ALC Board President Steve Arnold presided over the Annual Meeting, at which two new
members were elected to the ALC Board of Directors: Barbara Hanley of North Little Rock has
worked in the adult literacy field for 30 years, and served as an ALC Board Member from 2002 to
2008—two of those years as president. Denny Altes of Fort Smith established several successful
waste management and recycling businesses and served in the Arkansas House of Representa-
tives for one term before his election to and service in the Arkansas State Senate from 2002 to
2010. Representative Altes was again elected to the Arkansas House in 2011, where he currently
serves.
Six representatives to the ALC Member Advisory Committee (MAC) were also elected:
Patsy Brown of Garland county, Denise Hester of Mississippi county, Linda Nelson of Ouachita
and Calhoun counties, Wendy Poole of Washington county, Paula Shaffer of Chicot, Ashley and
Desha counties, and Nicole Stroud of Independence, Fulton and Sharp counties. Due to term
limits, ALC said goodbye to MAC members Eddye Kay Hansen of Arkansas county, Mary Ella
Riley of St. Francis, Cross and Lee counties and Myra Jester of Hempstead, Nevada and Sevier
counties. Martha Pineda of Monroe county remains on MAC for another year.
Arkansas Service Commissioner Bruce Davis spoke briefly at
the meeting about ALC‘s successful AmeriCorps program
and awarded Governor‘s Volunteer Excellence Award
certificates to those AmeriCorps members in attendance.
ALC‘s Arkansas Reads AmeriCorps program consists of 40
members at 26 sites throughout the state. These service
members recruit and train other volunteers to promote
sustainability in literacy councils after their service term has
expired, and they also recruit and tutor adult Arkansans in
need of literacy services.
The ALC Annual Meeting guest speaker was Shane Broad-
way, current director of the Arkansas Department of Higher
Education, who spoke of his own family‘s experience with
illiteracy and lack of formal education. Broadway applauded literacy councils for their important
role in educating Arkansans in need of improving their basic reading, writing, and math skills, and
for helping their students achieve better futures.
Arkansas Literacy Councils Hosts Annual Meeting
Arkansas Service Commissioner Bruce
Davis congratulates AmeriCorps Members
Linda Euwing and Karla Odhiambo.
AALRC Library Update
.Shots Fired on Campus. and .Flashpoint on Campus. are two new AALRC library ad-
ditions in the professional development section. Presented by the Center for Personal
Protection and Safety, these instructional DVDs are designed to empower the viewer
with knowledge and strategies for preventing and surviving violence on campus.
Training materials are included in both DVD packages.
If you are interested and you would like to check out these or other library items, please
contact Klaus Neu, AALRC Media Coordinator, at
klaus@aalrc.org
or 501.907.2490.