Adult and Community Learning Services (ACLS)

Monitoring and Assessment Updates

August 17, 2018
 

Dear Directors,

Please note the following monitoring and assessment updates.

1. Program Quality Reviews and Site Visits

   Program Quality Review and Site Visit Protocol

   ACLS has developed a unified and systematic approach to program quality reviews and site visits conducted by program specialists. An ACLS Program Quality (PQ) Team has been formed whose charge is to ensure a transparent and uniform approach to program quality reviews and site visits. The PQ Team will employ a systematic and coordinated method of gathering data collection to ensure processes are fair and objective.

   The PQ Team piloted the new Program Quality Review and Site Visit protocol with four Community Adult Learning Centers (CALCS) and one AE Correctional Institution in FY2017. These visits assisted the PQ Team to calibrate their approach and their assessments of multiple sources of evidence.

   The Program Quality Review and Site Visit Protocol has been finalized based on results and findings from the pilots and feedback from the open comment period and the Directors' Meeting workshops. The Protocol and related power point presentation are posted on the ACLS website to support programs scheduled to receive a quality review in FY2019.

   ACLS will post the FY19 program quality review schedule this fall.

   Program Quality Review Consultants Needed

   The Adult and Community Learning Services (ACLS) is seeking two to three experienced adult education professionals to participate as a team member with ACLS staff in ten Program Quality Reviews (PQR) of Community Adult Learning Centers. Each PQR team is led by ACLS staff. These visits will be conducted at various program sites across the Commonwealth. PQR visits will be competed in a single day or evening.

   Consultants will enter into a contract with the Department and receive compensation at the all-inclusive rate of $100.00 per hour. Contractors will receive payment upon successful completion of assigned tasks. Reviewers will: participate in one full training day at DESE; participate as an observer during one full day PQR visit; participate in ten PQR visits from October 2018 to June 2019; review program documentation specific to each PQR visit; compose a number of ten reports.

   More information and application details are available at COMMBUYS website.

   The bidders can respond to the bid from now until September 5, 2018.

    

2. ACLS Assessment Page Updates

   Several items have been updated on the ACLS assessment page:

   1. The FY2019 Assessment Manual has been revised to reflect the latest changes in assessment (e.g. the adoption of TABE 11/12, the change in the assessment trainings provider from SABES to CEA-UMass Amherst).

   2. The MAPT Test Administrator Manual has also been updated to reflect the MAPT's alignment to the College and career Readiness Standards for Adult Education (CCRSAE).

   3. The ACLS assessment page has now direct links to the CEA-UMass Amherst Test Help Blog and to the registration for online and face-to-face standardized assessment trainings through the SABES calendar.