Re-framing Adult Student Success: Understanding and Identifying Successful Outcomes for Students in Adult Education Program
Wednesday, October 9, 2019 at 1:45 PM–2:30 PM CDT
Park View (Rounds of 10)
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Adult Basic Education and Literacy Education
Presentation Format Requested
Roundtable (45 minutes)
Session Abstract
Education systems define success as graduation, college readiness, career readiness, or gifted and talented programs. These orientations shape school structure and policies to generate student success. Adult education programs should not assume that students share this view. By understanding what adult students seek in school can inform school structures.
Target Audience
The target audience are educators who work in adult education programs such as GED programs, high schools, or alternative education programs. Additionally, the target audience is administrators and program directors in these contexts who lead the mission.
Learning Outcomes
Participants will be able to identify key aspects of an adult education program that supports adult student successful outcomes by analyzing the research and literature around orientations of adult student success. Additionally, participants will create an action plan and model for a dream school that supports adult learners and their orientations of success by outlining key structural components for an adult education program. Lastly, participants will be able to reflect on their own personal or organization's orientation of success for their students by identifying what success means for students in their spaces.
Session Description
Participants will engage in a mini lecture around orientations of success and the traditional framing of success from the literature and research. Next, I will pose, from my research and site experience, six re-framed orientations of success for adult students. I will set forth recommendations for adult education programs to incorporate in their structure to meet these orientations of success. Participants will then work in groups to generate a list of what supports they know generate successful outcomes for adult students. Participants will identify what structures are needed to meet these needs. Finally, participants will create an action plan where they create a model for a dream school that supports adult learners in meeting successful outcomes around the re-framed orientations of success. Participants should have experience working in adult education programs and with adult students. I will share strategies on how to re-frame our thinking about adult students without bringing a deficit orientation onto our students. I will also share strategies for reflecting on your own organization through the lens of appreciative inquiry and creating spaces for student voice.
Format & Technique
The session will be organized with a mix of lecture, discussion, and hands on activity/collaborative learning. At first, session participants will engage in a mini lecture and discussion, and then move into small group work and independent action planning
Primary Presenter
Chelsea Krik, Goodwill of Greater Washington
Work Title
School Director