Nevada Adult Education: What's New

State of Nevada
Five Year State Plan for Adult Education
English Literacy/Civics Revision

Census projections show Nevada as having the greatest population change among its surrounding states, with a sizeable component of this due to immigration. In addition, Nevada’s Hispanic population is expected to increase at the highest rate of growth in the nation over the next three decades.

English literacy instruction is vital for Nevada’s economic welfare. At least one third of the state’s unskilled employees are non-native speakers in the major business sectors of agriculture, mining, construction, manufacturing and service. English literacy is a concern for economic development and for employee safety.

Section 1000(a)(4) of the Consolidated Appropriations Act (P.L. 106-113) reserves funding for state grants under the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) for "integrated English literacy and civics education services to immigrants and other limited English proficient populations." The purpose of this initiative is not simply to expand English literacy services, but also to provide an integrated program of services that incorporates English literacy and civics education. To effectively participate in the education, work, and civic opportunities of this country, immigrants and other limited English proficient persons must not only master English but also be able to understand and navigate governmental, educational, and workplace systems and key American institutions, such as banking and health care.

COMPETITION

A new competition will be conducted for multiple-year grants for English Literacy/Civics. Nevada will use not more than five percent (5%) of the State award for State administration. Both program funds (82.5% of State allocation) and leadership funds (12.5%) will be allocated through a competitive bid process after notices have been posted and mailings sent out to potential applicants. As it is hoped that new providers, assuming eligibility, will compete for English Literacy/Civics funds in this new competition, the RFP will be sent out to a broad spectrum of potential applicants. In addition, per state regulations, ads will be placed in newspapers throughout the state to alert potential applicants.

The entire English Literacy/Civics allotment will be used for English Literacy/Civics purposes. Funds and activities for English Literacy/Civics efforts will be tracked separately from Adult Basic Education/English as a Second Language funds. All eligible providers have direct and equitable access to apply for this grant. The same grant announcement process and the same application process will be used for all local providers; this process is described in 6.3 of the Nevada Five Year State Plan for Adult Education.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES

Nevada adult students are engaged in purposeful use of the language rather than learning about the language. Classes are offered in day, evening and weekend formats. Students are placed in appropriate skills-level classes on the basis of the Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System (CASAS) or a comparable system. One of the key objectives for the English literacy programs is to provide students with English language and citizenship instruction necessary to successfully complete the citizenship application and interview process.

The state of Nevada will provide integrated English literacy and civics education services to immigrants and other limited English proficient populations. The special English Literacy/Civics funding will be used exclusively for activities related to integrated English literacy and civics education. With an emphasis on contextualized instruction on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, naturalization procedures, civic participation, and US history and government, students will acquire the skills and knowledge to become active and informed parents, workers, and community members.

Leadership activities will include professional development training and the development and dissemination of appropriate curricula or materials.

In Section 6.5 of the Nevada State Plan for Adult Basic Education, evaluation of applications is addressed. This section applies also to English Literacy/Civics applications. Subgrants will be awarded for a multi-year period, on a competitive basis, to enable eligible providers to develop, implement, and improve adult education and literacy activities within Nevada . Each of the eleven considerations for funding listed in Section 231(e) of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act is delineated in Section 6.5 and applies also to English Literacy/Civics funding.

REPORTING

Section 5.5 of the Nevada Five Year State Plan for Adult Education states that an evaluation will be conducted annually of the federally funded Adult Education programs; this includes English Literacy/Civics programs. The report will provide a description of English Literacy/Civics activities, population and numbers served, and how these funds have expanded access or program enhancements. All subgrantees will submit CASAS data specifying student performance measures. All service providers will be encouraged to document student satisfaction levels through survey or interview and to add student input as a component to the annual program evaluation. Documented progress of student performance must include measurable progress in literacy levels, successful mastery of skills for passing the citizenship test, registering to vote or voting for the first time, and/or self-reported community involvement. In addition, all service providers will maintain individual student records for each student. Each provider will submit quarterly reports and a comprehensive annual report.

The Nevada Department of Education will monitor subgrantees for program quality and compliance. Technical support will be provided as needed.

REVISION PROCESS

This English Literacy/Civics education revision is subject to the Nevada process for approval of revisions to the State Plan which is one and the same as the Nevada State Plan Approval Process. The process includes public meetings, State Board of Education approval and submittal to the Governor for comments. All policies, procedures and processes, regulations, and strategies listed in the Nevada Five Year State Plan for Adult Basic Education (beginning July 1, 1999 and ending June 30, 2004) apply also to English Literacy/Civics activities.