11/18/1998 21381

ADULT BASIC AND LITERACY EDUCATION ADVISOR 1

DEFINITION: This is professional educational work providing advisory services in the development, expansion and improvement of adult basic and literacy education programs and providing advisory services to promote, improve, and implement adult basic and literacy education programs through schools, libraries and a variety of other service providers and practitioners.

An employee in this class provides advisory and consultative services in the development and promotion of adult basic and literacy educational programs to provide undereducated adults with the fundamentals of reading, writing, English proficiency, and other competencies essential for basic educational literacy and for the purpose of improving employment opportunities. Employees provide advisory services to adult basic and literacy education program administrators and providers, business and community leaders, and library and educational administrators in the development, establishment, organization, and conduct of current or planned adult basic and literacy education curriculums. Work involves providing program providers and practitioners with information and materials to implement current research and development efforts/findings which includes collaboration with departmental specialists and regional educational committees in the planning and conduct of studies and projects. An employee in this class also reviews adult basic and literacy education programs to insure adherence to federal and state regulations and program performance standards. Work is performed with independence subject to review through staff conferences and an analysis of written reports and programs results by an administrative superior.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Reviews and evaluates adult basic and literacy education courses, and serves as an advisor and resource person providing technical assistance and advice on the administration of adult basic and literacy education throughout the Commonwealth.

Provides advice to local program providers and practitioners, including local school, community, business, and government officials on the most effective organizational and administrative structure for adult basic and literacy education programs and classes.

Coordinates and participates in staff development activities including training programs and classroom based practitioner inquiry and research projects, and pursues independent program enhancement opportunities such as accessing on-line resources through the National Institute for Adult Literacy.

Reviews, evaluates and process manages applications for the administration of federal and state adult basic education grants.

Organizes and conducts in-service programs for teachers, administrators, and directors of adult basic and literacy education classes.

Advises professional administrative and practitioner personnel on the identification and testing of adults for enrollment in adult basic and literacy education classes.

Communicates with other states and national agencies and organizations involved in the adult basic and literacy effort to enhance the administration, planning, coordination and delivery of program services in the Commonwealth.

Makes visitations to vocational training classes to determine the need for adult basic and literacy education programs.

Assists in developing course plans which correlate adult basic and literacy education with local and vocational and occupational training efforts.

Conducts on site monitoring of state and federally funded adult basic and literacy education programs to ensure a continuous improvement focus on the quality delivery of program services and compliance with state/federal laws and regulations.

Encourages curriculum and practitioner research by administrators, teachers and directors and assists them in evaluating new teaching methods and instructional materials in adult basic and literacy education.

Disseminates curriculum materials to service providers and practitioners through conferences, workshops, correspondence, and publications.

Promotes the use of modern techniques for the operation and teaching of adult basic and literacy education.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of theory, principles, and practices of basic and literacy education, encompassing beginning reading and writing instruction through twelfth grade level programs and methods.

Knowledge of adult basic and literacy education programs including new developments, significant curriculum, instructional and assessment materials, and research that exists regarding programs and program development.

Knowledge of adult basic and literacy education program philosophies, training strategies, and program recruitment and retention procedures.

Knowledge of the support services needed by adult basic and literacy education providers and practitioners, and how those can be coordinated with those provided by human service agencies and organizations within the community.

Knowledge of the social and psychological impairments and challenges of the educationally, socially, and economically disadvantaged and of those with diverse cultural backgrounds in the context of ensuring that programs are structured that respect the differences in a learner’s capabilities and background.

Knowledge of the use of numerous instructional materials and techniques which cater to and meet the varied needs of diverse cultural and socioeconomic groups.

Knowledge of curriculum and program planning as applied to continuous improvement of adult basic and literacy education.

Knowledge of project management and administration techniques and practices.

Ability to lead conferences and workshops with local officials and professional personnel.

Ability to develop linkages between core education and training objectives and programs to facilitate a smooth transition as learners work to complete their educational goals.

Ability to collect and analyze a variety of assessment processes to support decision making efforts about curriculum and instructional strategies.

Ability to identify diversity in learners and to work with key individuals in the community to ensure that program services meet the needs of learners from varied cultural backgrounds.

Ability to evaluate the effectiveness of adult basic and literacy education programs provided by a wide range of service providers and practitioners.

Ability to continually improve program practices, through influence and persuasion, to improve learner outcomes.

Ability to analyze grant application data and provide advice and counsel on the administration of program grants and contracts.

Ability to encourage the use of new teaching methods and improved curriculum materials as applied to adult basic and literacy education.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school officials, community and business leaders, and adult basic and literacy education providers and practitioners.

Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Four years of professional experience in the field of adult basic or literacy education, including one year in an administrative capacity; and a bachelor’s degree;

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Any equivalent combination of experience and training which includes one year of administrative experience in adult basic or literacy education.