Learning for Life Starter Kit

Presented by Meagen Howe of Farrell Ink

February 2010
 This training is provided FREE by Farrell Ink, LLC
thanks to the Sandra Sullivan Learning for
Life Program.
 The Sandra Sullivan Learning for Life Program
of the West Side Catholic Center in Cleveland,
Ohio supports non-profits & faith communities
to provide cost effective, volunteer-based adult
education tutoring.
 You may duplicate, present, or print this
training FREE for non-commercial purposes and
can customize it as long as you attribute the
Sandra Sullivan Learning for Life Program. (No
plagiarism, please!)
 Thanks for coming!
 Please let us know your:

◦ NAME
◦ PROGRAM
◦ YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH STUDENT ORIENTATION
 Understand common elements of every new
student orientation.
 Consider orientation options for managing

student enrollment.
 Create an agenda for an orientation process

that fits your organization.

 Develop a particular element of your new

student orientation.
A recipe for accountability

Back to Training Objectives

 Orientation elements are based on research
in what adult learners need during their
initial contact to stay & succeed in
educational programs. In other words:
 HOW do you motivate independent, busy
adults to commit to your class?
◦ Have new students share success stories.
◦ Have a friendly, energetic student share with new
students & answer questions.
◦ Motivational videos or quotes.
◦ Confidence or trust building activities.
Think of yourself as a salesperson, trying to
pitch the class. Convince your prospective
students to “buy in” with their time.
 Explain the basics:

◦ What this class offers (be specific)

◦ Where things are locate in the classroom/building
◦ The process is to take the GED test
◦ Options for studying, what to do if have to leave &
return later
 Get the basics: student contact
information.
 Give the information needed for the student to
make an informed decision about enrolling in
the class.
◦ Note: students who walk in and ask about class are not
automatically enrolled! Be realistic with potential
students about the commitment required.
 Become a Mythbuster!
◦ Encourage lots of questions
◦ If you don’t know the answer,
◦ Look it up together!
 The Sandra Sullivan Learning for Life Program uses
the TABE 9/10 Survey for Reading, Math
Computation & Applied Mathematics.

 Learn more in the FREE trainings published online

at Scribd.com/farrellink:
◦ “Administering TABE 9/10 Survey”
◦ “Administering TABE Advanced Level Tests”
◦ “Assigning Materials Based on TABE”
 What comes after the GED? See more in the training “Transitioning
Students to the GED & Beyond” at Scribd.com/farrellink
 Student writes during
orientation:
◦ Contact Info
◦ Primary & secondary goals
 Student Orientation Leader
writes:
◦ Washington 13 Score
◦ TABE 9/10 results
 Add short term goals,
progress, and activities
with student during class.
  Write on assignment sheet:
Date Classwork Assignment Notes

02/15/10 Subject: TABE 9 (Level) Homework Any further

BP Book: referrals?
Pages:

 Staple ILP to the left side & Assignment Sheet to

the right side of a manila folder
 Many organizations already have registration
forms as part of larger program intake
process.
 Information needed for Sullivan Learning
Center can be directly entered into online
database:
◦ Student contact information
◦ Identifying information (DOB, last 4 of SSN)
◦ TABE scores
◦ Optional demographic information
Learn from case studies

Back to Training Objectives

 ◦ “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will you not
first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have
enough money to complete it?” Luke 14:28
 Managed enrollment is:
1.Creating scheduled orientation & enrollment
2.Investing in new students with planned orientation
3.Letting potential students make informed decisions
4.Giving enrolled students your full attention
5.Balancing your instructor/tutor : student ratio
6.Maximizing staff and volunteer resources
 KNOW YOUR FAQs! Create a simple FAQ
sheet or brochure for all staff, volunteers, and
referral programs to explain your program.
 BOTTLE YOUR BASICS – Create a video or
elevator speech to present Program Info
Sharing for walk-ins.
 TAKE NAMES – Make sure to get contact info.
 USE THEIR TIME – not yours! To help, the
Learning for Life Starter Kit includes…
 No pressure introductory workbook.
◦ Written at easy to medium reading level.
◦ Practice with multiple choice questions & filling in
bubble sheets.
◦ Includes 1st person success stories.
◦ Let students write in the book & check their own
work!
◦ ~$1 per booklet, potential students can keep it
(but don’t just give it away to everyone, please).
 For walk-ins, check out:
 State-funded program.
 Orientation: 2 day

process, once every

month or two.
 Hired Motivational

Speakers & bought

Motivational Videos
for day 1.
 Amazing boost in

student retention!
 Training Center for financial literacy.
 Open computer lab: has designated days

& times for open computer use.

 Individual counseling & goal-setting:

included with every group instruction class.

 Managed enrollment: students must

register for classes in person, by phone, or

online. Most classes 2 hours over 4-6 weeks.
 Options for levels of involvement builds

trust with clients & saves staff time.

 State requires 12 hours of student attendance
before funding reimbursement.
 To meet this goal…increased orientation to a
12 hour small group progress!
 Each required element of orientation became
its own mini-lesson so students learned
together before being matched with a tutor.
 Built Top Skills Employers Want: teamwork,
professionalism, & oral communication.
 New students must schedule a time
to meet with Site Manager.
 Developed an individual interview

that includes:
◦ Rapport building
◦ Goal setting
◦ Program information sharing
◦ Previous educational experiences
 The investment of time pays off in
increased student commitment.
 YOU CAN’T SERVE EVERYONE – and
that’s okay! We remain small,
neighborhood-based programs because we
believe that relationships can be the bridge
out of poverty.
 Use 211Cleveland.org or other directories to

find nearby adult education programs for

when your program is full. Contact them to
share information.
Customize for your needs

Back to Training Objectives

 Building Rapport is always first, but can be split into
multiple parts
 Learning Needs Screening must go before Diagnostic
Testing
 Student registration forms & LD screening should not
be right before Diagnostic Testing (Stereotype
Threat)
 LD Screening, Diagnostic Testing, ILP & Registration
forms all require staff time to check & complete
 Prioritize and add personal flairs to:
Think it through

Back to Training Objectives

 Are you ready to star in your
own motivational video?

Tips:
◦ Speak clearly
◦ Move around
◦ Relax & have fun
Ready, set… ACTION!

YouTube.com/farrellink
or tag farrellink
 Which is not a required element of orientation
◦ LD Screening Goal setting Individual interview
 True/False Asking about demographic information
right before testing can affect scores.
 True/False A longer orientation process decreases
student retention.
 Which resource will not be available through the
Learning for Life Starter Kit:
◦ TABE 7/8 Getting to Know TABE TABE Profile
 Individual interview
 True: demographic information can trigger

stereotype effect.
 False: students are more committed in

programs that motivate them, build

relationships, and meet their needs.
 TABE 7/8: We use the new edition TABE

9/10.
 This training is part of a series. Student
Orientation Leaders should also see:
• “Administering TABE 9/10 Survey”
 Check out our other FREE trainings &
publications at Scribd.com/farrellink, including:
• Sandra Sullivan Learning for Life Program: Program
Management Procedures (Information from trainings
in an FAQ format)
 Sign up for Farrell Ink’s
FREE monthly eNewsletter or email with any
questions.
God, thank you for the mustard seed although it is so small.
God, thank you for the plant that grows up largest of them
all.
God, thank you for the birds that sing in branches that reach
wide.
God, thank you for the words you teach while walking by my
side.
God, give us love and strength to meet each other’s human
need.
God, bury me to rise again just like the mustard seed.
AMEN
 We hope this is enough to get you started
facilitating new student orientation!

 This training is FREE! If you would like to

support our ongoing work, please donate to
the West Side Catholic Center with the
memo: “Sullivan Learning for Life Program.”
◦ 3135 Lorain Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44113
◦ (216) 631-4741, ask for Susan Ertle at x132