Curriculum Models for Integrated Teaching
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Subject: [ProfessionalDevelopment 3091] FW: Curriculum Models applicable to segments of the ABLE population
From: Richard Gacka at Stairwaysbh.org
Date: Tue Feb 24 11:33:41 EST 2009
This comment is in response to a posting by Roberta McKnight and is also
related to postings dealing with the I-Best curriculum sequence. The
discussion has been quite interesting in terms of the role and evolution
of adult education in economic recovery and workforce development. I am
also a member of our regional Workforce Investment Board and live in an
area that is in the process of developing a community college so the
postings are quite informative.
A possible guide for the content of ABLE instruction at the formative
levels might be found in the Brigance materials published by Curriculum
Associates. While it is not a "curriculum" in the traditional sense, it
is a criterion referenced assessment that does define important
knowledge in a wide range of areas, and as such could be viewed as an
outline of "what students should know." There are several forms of the
Brigance Inventories, but two have relevance to basic ABLE programs, the
Basic Skills Inventory (adult level) and Employability Skills Inventory.
If either version were combined with a comprehensive inventory or
checklist of "soft skills" the combination would provide many programs
with a guide for instructional content. What I have always found useful
is the fact that the student record books and checklists can easily
facilitate objective skill monitoring, providing a grass roots type of
"evidence based" approach to basic skills instruction. My experience has
been that students who can demonstrate proficiency in the skills
identified in the Brigance Inventory are generally ready to attempt
instruction at an entry level of technical education. For programs at a
"foundation building" level of ABE, these inventories may be worth some
exploration. They are much more specific in terms of instructional
content than the SCANS documents.
As a former director of Tech Prep and School to Work programs, I would
recommend that Adult Education practitioners review the materials that
have been developed through, or are used by, those programs. In fact,
there is much that can be "borrowed from" the entry level technical
education practitioners. The Applied Academics curriculums (math,
communication, etc.), the CORD mathematics materials, and the High
Schools that Work materials all are on the same wavelength as the
current discussion of I-Best. There are a lot of good materials that
have already been developed and as a field we can move ahead much more
quickly by using what already exists.
As ABLE continues to move toward more rigorous vocationally focused
instructional programs, I hope that they recognize that multiple models
may be needed to accommodate the realities of the diverse environment of
students and programs that is adult basic education.
Richard Gacka Ed.D.
Director: NW PA Professional Development Center and PA ABLE Learning
Differences Projects
http://web.mac.com/nwpdc
http://web.mac.com/ldconsultants
