Data with Linda
WIOA legislation was effective July 1 , 2016 . In order to continue receiving federal funding , ABE programs are required to collect additional data not previously asked for as part of WIA .
The ABE database ( which housed students , attendance , classes , buildings , volunteers , and staff ) used since 2006 was rebuilt to add additional state and federal data fields and would include the new NRS ( National Reporting System ) tables . The new system , SID ( Student Information Database ), was launched in Minnesota in July .
A new feature ( person search ) was added to SID that allows ABE staff in local programs to share testing , site and attendance information about ABE learners . This means when a learner arrives at a MN ABE location to enroll , and has attended ABE classes elsewhere in Minnesota , staff can complete a “ data merge .” The “ person search ” and “ data merge ” features have proven challenging to staff managing databases but are invaluable to our learners for accessing their records as ABE learners frequently move between programs .
Local data had historically been collected on our learners for the purpose of evaluating and reporting to our Community Education Board of Directors . With SID , our ABE Learner Entry Data Collection Form needed updating .
The new form was developed in January 2017 to include the updated WIOA , State , and local data collection requirements including :
• Identify barriers to employment .
• Have you exhausted TANF benefits ?
• Do you identify as homeless / runaway youth ?
• Are you considered low income ?
• Are you a single parent ?
• Are you disabled ?
• Are you a youth in foster care / or have you aged out of the system ?
Our registration / intake / orientation staff script also received an update . This script provides staff key language to incoming learners to help them understand what information is recorded on the data collection forms .
The previous federal reporting tables , which had reported on skill gains , GED ® completions , Diploma completions , entering employment , retaining employment , entering post-secondary , and / or training , will now include measurable skills gains , periods of participation ( exiting and reentering ABE ), and credential attainment indicators .
Student Spotlight : Anny Robinson
There are just some people who you know will fulfill their dreams . Lakkhana Robinson , or “ Anny ” is originally from Sisaket province , in northeast Thailand . Her father worked as a mechanic and her mother had a restaurant in the only room that served as her family ’ s home . During the day , people would come to their home to eat at the restaurant . At night , Anny and her family slept on the floor in the same room .
Anny ’ s grandmother took care of her while her parents were working . They would dig up frogs and crabs and cook them for dinner . Anny says that her grandmother was a very good cook . Anny states , “ It ’ s still the best food I have ever eaten !”
After Anny graduated from high school , she went to Mahasarakhan University to earn a degree in Science Statistics . After college , Anny met and married an American man . They moved to Chicago , but the marriage didn ’ t last . Anny moved to Nantucket , Massachusetts to nanny for a famous author ’ s ( who shall remain unnamed !) children . Eventually , Anny met a Minnesota man , Paul , with whom she fell madly in love . Since he was from Minnesota , Anny came here to get married . They have a beautiful 4 year old daughter , Lalana .
Anny came to ABE with the goal to pass the Para Pro test , which she has and found a full time job as an Educational Assistant in Special Education with the St . Francis school district . Anny ’ s family recently purchased 20 acres of land to begin working towards her dreams of farm life . She wants to start an organic vegetable
greenhouse to sell produce at farmer ’ s markets and other local shops .
Metro North Adult Basic Education | Ph : 763-783-4870 | www . MetroNorthABE . org FEBRUARY 2017 7