Success at the Center: Leveraging Lessons from a Statewide Learning Network

1. Success at the Center: Leveraging Lessons from a Statewide Learning Network National Conference on Workforce Education October 22, 2012

2. Presenters Jenny Schanker: Associate Director, Center for Student Success Michigan Community College Association Debbie Gillespie: Director of Workforce Training Lake Michigan College George Waite: Director of Tassell M-TEC Grand Rapids Community College Lauren Willey: Workforce and Continuing Education Administrator Macomb Community College

3. Michigan Center for Student Success • Vision • Provide support to Michigan’s 28 community colleges • Emphasize linkage between practice, research, and policy • Goals • Convene communities of practice • Promote use of data and metrics • Establish a research agenda for Michigan • Recommend and support policy efforts

4. Breaking Through History • JFF and NCWE launched the initiative in 2005 with funding from the Mott Foundation • Mott Community College was part of the initial Learning College cohort • Six additional colleges formed the Michigan network in early 2007: • Grand Rapids • Henry Ford • Lake Michigan • Macomb • Saint Clair • Washtenaw

5. Breaking Through Documentation • Practice Guide: http://jff.org/publications/education/breaking-through-practice-guide/1059 • Scaling Up Case Studies: http://jff.org/publications/education/achieving-ambitious-goals-case-studies-s/1230 • Leaving No Worker Behind: http://jff.org/publications/education/leaving-no-worker-behind-community-colle/1225

6. Supply and Demand in Michigan’s Labor Market • Michigan’s annual number of HS graduates will decline 12.2% by 2020 • Annual demand for college-educated workers will increase by 4.2% by 2018 http://www.clasp.org/admin/site/publications_states/files/Not-Kid-Stuff-Anymore_MI.pdf

7. Challenges for Adult Education • Federal funding for adult education has declined by 17% over the past 10 years • Nationally, only 2 million out of an estimated eligible population of 93 million are served by adult education • In Michigan, an estimated 692,000 adults lack a high school diploma or GED while 33,000 are served each year http://www.clasp.org/admin/site/publications/files/adult-ed-funding-enrollment-February-2012.pdf

8. MCSS Research Project • Statewide Survey with 21/28 colleges responding • Qualitative Follow-Up with six responding colleges • Publication: Forging New Pathways: the Impact of Breaking Through in Michigan • Statewide Grant Initiative: Michigan Pathways to Credentials

9. Survey Findings: Aligning Programs • 19 colleges report offering at least some “stackable” credentials (mostly in Health Care) • 13 colleges report that credential attainment for low-skilled adults is a strong focus for them • 9 colleges report programs specifically designed to “bridge” adult learners into pathways to certificate and degree completion

10. Survey Findings: Accelerating Learning • 17 colleges report offering “intensive” courses addressing skill gaps (for both traditional and non-traditional students) • 11 colleges are integrating basic skills with occupational instruction (largely in non-credit) • 5 colleges report significant use of prior learning assessments to reduce time to completion for adult learners

11. Survey Findings: Connecting to Employers • 16 colleges report engaging employers to a large extent through advisory committees for career and technical programs • 15 colleges report that they are significantly engaged in regional efforts to link education and training with employment • 10 colleges indicate that their career services office connects regularly with employers

12. Survey Findings: Providing Support • 17 colleges report working with community partners to provide support services • 14 colleges indicate that they provide “navigators” or advisors to both credit and non-credit students to help them overcome obstacles • 11 colleges have systems in place to connect with “stop out” students

13. Survey Findings: Policy Environment • Institutional policy challenges cited: • Articulation between credit and non-credit programs • Developmental education placement policies • State or federal policy challenges cited: • Financial aid regulations limiting access to Pell Grants • Cuts to funding sources such as WIA

14. Goals of Pathways to Credentials • Strengthen links between non-credit and credit programs • Provide alternatives to traditional delivery of developmental education/align with A.B.E. • Expand supports for career decision-making, life skills, etc. to a broader population • Increase use of prior learning assessment to decrease time to completion • Connect more robustly with employers and the local labor market

15. 4 campuses plus arts and technology center • Located in SW Michigan 90 miles from Chicago • Founded in 1946 • President- Dr. Robert P. Harrison • 500+ employees • 7000+ students served annually • Median GPA 3.32 • Over 80 courses of study • $122 per credit hour in-district

16. New STTP pre-requisite program: • Open entry, defined exit • Self-paced • Replaces 30hrs of class time and expense • Encompasses KeyTrain, Customer/Patient Satisfaction, Resume Writing & WorkKeys • Students earn NCRC before they begin training • Option to retake any WK assessment after training

17. Better students entering programs • Allows student to concentrate on job training • WorkKeys scores increased an average of 11% • No decrease in training program enrollment • Reduced price of programs approx $200 Since 2009 184 students (35%) transitioned to credit 158 declared majors 3828 cr earned/5469 cr attempted – 70%

18. George Waite – Director of Tassell M-TECSchool of Workforce Developmentgwaite@grcc.edu Workforce Development END: Students are prepared to secure employment in all sectors of the economy.

19. Non-Credit & Credit – Dean SWD, Shared Resources, CAP, JT Faculty, Articulation Foundation Skills – Accuplacer/Work Keys, Required placement, CLS100, Reading Apprenticeship, Faculty Development Employers & Labor Market Alignment – State/Regional Sector Discussions, Advisory Committees, Job Placement Student Support Services – CAC, Counseling, Coaching, Faculty Advising, Pathways to Prosperity Michigan Center for Student Success- Monthly meetings, Newsletter, Summit, State Agenda, Relationships

20. Located in Warren, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit • 3 main campuses, providing learning experiences to over 48,000 students annually • Largest grantor of Associate Degrees in Michigan

21. Integrated Organizational Structure

22. Discussion and Questions • What work is your college doing to align non-credit and credit career training programs? • How have you integrated basic or foundational skills into your entry level training programs? • Describe your efforts in engaging employers and aligning your programs with local and regional labor market needs. • How have you included support services in your programs? • How has the Center for Student Success impacted your work, especially in a decentralized state? • What do you see as important policy implications of your work and the work of the MCSS?

23. Contact Info jschanker@mcca.org (Jenny) gillespie@lakemichigancollege.edu (Debbie) gwaite@grcc.edu (George) willeyl@macomb.edu (Lauren)