Marshall Consortium Staff Meeting
Marshall Area Adult Learning Center
Saturday, September 13, 2003
Lyon County Government Center
607 West Main, Marshall, MN
Present: Sally Belgum-Blad, Stephanie Guza, Sheila Helleson,
Lani Joosten, John Doyle, Barb Glaeser, Charles Carrera, Paula
Gimmestad, Karen Miller, Jamie Verdeck, Ted Stamp, Paulette Hanson,
Sue Burnett, Dorothy Zimmerman, Tammy Bukowski, Bonnie Nielsen,
Judy Hacker, and Pat Thomas.
1. Pat welcomed staff and introduced new staff members.
2. Presentations
A. Computer Training - This program recognizes the critical need
to integrate technology into our delivery system of services.
To assist in accomplishing this focus, training was provided
by Charles Carrera for participating staff. For staff unable
to attend, the lessons presented will be available on our website
under the Technology section. Charles will also do one-on-one
instruction for staff upon request.
B. CASAS Training - Barb Glaeser provided training on how to
use the CASAS assessments tool and laid out expectations by our
office as to when and how results of assessments are to be turned
in to her. The MN State ABE Office has set the benchmark of Educational
Level changes of participating students at 25%. Data from the
'02-'03 year show that only 13% of our participants made a level
change. Only 76 of the 917 students in our program were pre and
post tested.
Instructors in our program do an excellent job of teaching,
but when timely assessments are not given, no documentation can
be given to the state that indicates this excellent quality of
service. Please see Barb if you have questions on how to administer
the CASAS.
3. Administrative items:
A summary of the information provided is given here. Detailed
information is available from Pat upon request.
 | State ABE accountability - MN has set a benchmark that
25% of all students move up one educational level or meet their
goal. Programs not meeting this standard may be sanctioned |
| The FY'04 Budget was presented. |
| Scope & Sequence - Staff are asked to used the scope
and sequence document located on our website to assist in curriculum
content development. Since this scope and sequence mirrors the
skills needed at each educational level of CASAS, it provides
critical information to assist in teaching students and in attaining
a level change. Input on this document is welcomed. |
| Down & Dirty GED Math - Paula Gimmestad also presented
a similar scope and sequence document focusing on math skills
needed to pass the GED test. This is found on our web page under the Scope and
Sequence Section. |
| ABE/WorkForce Referral and Sharing Communication Forms
- New forms to assist in sharing information with MFIP counselors
can be found on our web page under the Workforce Section. If
you have an MFIP client referred to your class, please note the timeframe for
using each form. |
| Staff Performance Evaluations - This form is found on our
website. Please download and complete this form. Pat would like
all completed evaluations returned to her by October 15th. When
returning the form, please include date(s) you would be able to visit with Pat
about your evaluation. |
| Community Ed Directors - This summer a document reviewing
the 02-03 year was sent to each Community Ed Director. Pat plans
on visiting each director this year. If staff wish to be present
at these meeting, please let Pat know. |
| Fee Based Services - The 2003 State Legislature passed
a bill allowing ABE programs to change a fee for their services. |
| Staff are encouraged to share ideas with Pat of who our
potential or future clients might be. |
