Community Education program brochures Metro North ABE - Consortium newsletter, Fall 2017 | Page 4

Reaching Our Learners
‘Where They’re At’
Accessibility is a key factor in providing quality ABE
programming to our community members
ABE services in Minnesota are delivered
through a network of providers which are
organized into consortia based on public
school districts. All 300+ public school
district in Minnesota belong to one of the
43 ABE consortia. The Department of
Corrections also operates a statewide
ABE consortium that offers ABE pro-
gramming at state correctional facilities
across Minnesota (Minnesota Adult Basic
Education, 2017).
Holistic Education Support
We know that quality ABE programs must
view students in a holistic manner. Not
only are their educational needs impor-
tant, but their emotional, environmental,
and vocational needs must be addressed if
students are to stay focused on class and
achieve their goals (West Virginia Adult
Basic Education, 2009). For that reason,
ABE programs often partner with others
to provide wrap around support for the
adult student to start classes and persist in
working toward a personal goal.
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Metro North ABE  Consortium
Collaborative support may come from
the local district early childhood pro-
grams, county social or assistance
services, workforce centers, post-sec-
ondary student support programs, vo-
cational agencies, or local employers.
Volunteers are a key component of of-
fering a holistic approach to adult edu-
cation. Metro North ABE volunteers
support our adults in class with both
educational and personal goals. As one
“
Students’ emotional,
environmental, and
vocational needs must
be addressed if they are
to stay focused on class
and achieve their goals.
“
If you are able to read this newsletter, you
have attained literacy skills to perform
daily tasks required in our society. Lack
of basic education skills limit an individ-
ual’s vocational choices, earning power,
confidence to participate in the commu-
nity, and ability to support a family. Adult
Basic Education (ABE) provides educa-
tion services for adults who have diffi-
culty or cannot complete daily literacy-
related tasks like reading this newsletter,
filling out a job application, helping
children with their homework, reading a
contract or agreement, or writing an
email. Adults may also lack the speaking
or math skills to complete or develop per-
sonal goals.
math tutor at our Blaine site expressed,
“So much of tutoring is helping stu-
dents gain and maintain confidence in
their skill set.” Volunteers may tutor in
an ESL or GED class focusing on spe-
cific subjects like math or English
speaking skills. They might teach one
of our special session classes like
driver education preparation or a writ-
ing course.
Increasing Accessibility by
Reducing Barriers
Planning ABE programming that will
reduce student barriers and increase
participation must be thoughtful, based
on best practices, and sustainable.
Common adult student barriers may
include poverty, limited learning expe-