As the newly appointed administrator of the California Department of Education’s (CDE) Adult Education Office (AEO), I am pleased to announce that the AEO is now a part of the Coordinated Student Support and Adult Education Division in the Student Support and Special Services Branch. Gordon Jackson is Division Director and Dr. William Ellerbee is branch Deputy Superintendent.
We are looking forward to enhanced adult education outcomes in large part due to the development of an adult education strategic plan. Linking Adults to Opportunity: Transformation of the California Department of Education Adult Education Program is the result of the efforts and perspectives of over two hundred stakeholders and practitioners who participated in work groups, meetings, and committees. This plan reflects revisions made after careful consideration of extensive commentary from the field and various stakeholders.
It is important to note that the strategic plan and the California State Plan are two distinctly different documents. The strategic plan is, however, aligned with the federal priorities in the Workforce Investment, Title II Adult Education and Family Literacy Act as outlined in the California State Plan 2003-2012. The strategic plan is not subject to the same approval process as the California State Plan. However, we are offering the period from November 28, 2011, through December 23, 2011, for submission of comments relative to the currently posted strategic plan.
It has been gratifying to learn that many leaders of adult education programs in the state have already embraced the themes of the strategic plan and are actively implementing parts of it. Next steps include a presentation of the strategic plan to the State Board of Education as an information item and the development of processes to facilitate broader implementation.
As the new AEO administrator, I support ongoing communication to the field about aspects of the plan and its implementation. I look forward to working with the adult education community in implementing the recommendations of this plan so that the state can more effectively support the largest possible number of persons seeking to enhance their lives through the programs in adult education.
For questions regarding any technical difficulties, contact OTAN at 916-228-2580 or toll free (CA only) at 800-894-3113 or by email at support@otan.us. OTAN Staff are available Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.