[AAACE-NLA] "Success" thresholds

[Debbie Yoho]

Colleagues:  I'd like to throw out some numbers for your reaction.  I am
struggling with deciding what might be "reasonable" expectations of
"sucess" for my program.  Does the following info seem unusual or typical
to you?  Put another way, would you draw any conclusions from these data,
and if so, what? (these are true data from my program)

A workforce basic skills program served 33 adults over a two-year period. 
Workers were released twice a week (a total of 3 1/2 hours study time) from
their work responsibilities to attend literacy instruction away from the
job that combined individual, small group, and computer-assisted
approaches. Instructors were all experienced, paid and professional. The
tested entry skill levels ranged from 0-4.9 grade equivalents. None
finished high school.  Participation was voluntary but strongly encouraged
by supervisors. 

At the end of two years, 12 of the 33 post-tested above 5.0 and were
"promoted" to another program to continue toward a GED. 10 remain in this
program for a third year (all in this group originally scored below 3.0). 
2 retired from their jobs and left, 1 quit his job and left. 7 dropped out
for other reasons (most in this group showed sporadic attendance), and 1
became seriously ill and is on medical leave.

Can anyone make anything of this?  The information I have shared is typical
of the data I am asked to report often.  Others are drawing various
conclusions from these data.  What do you say?




For the Cause of Literacy for All!  Debbie

Deborah W. Yoho
Co-moderator, NIFL-Health Listserv
Executive Director, Greater Columbia Literacy Council
Past President, SC Adult Literacy Educators
2728 Devine Street,  Columbia, SC  29205
803-765-2555   Fax  803-799-8417   dwyoho at earthlink.net