Assessment and Support Staff Training Grant

The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) makes this state funding available to adult basic education (ABE) institutions and/or non-profit organizations for the purpose of providing adult education statewide assessment and support staff training services, in consultation with the MDE adult education team.

Grant Activities

Statewide assessment and support staff training activities to be provided by the grant recipient in consultation with the state adult education team at MDE are:

1. Assessment Training: Provide assessment training at regional and statewide events and in a virtual format.Evaluate, improve, and offer certification training on approved standardized assessment(s) for adult education via in-person and online formats at adult education PD events and upon request.
   1. Promote training options from testing publishers.
   2. Organize and conduct at least two state assessment trainer meetings per year to develop an annual project work plan and evaluate services provided.
   3. Create an online assessment training catalog that includes recertification and advanced-user trainings on ABE-approved standardized assessments.
   4. Support, inventory, and promote use of computer-based testing and remote testing for approved assessments for ABE accountability purposes.
2. Assessment Support: Provide assessment support to adult education.Lead coordination of statewide bulk test purchasing with local ABE programs by purchasing and distributing computer-based tests when additional funding is available.
   1. Advise the state adult education team on test approvals and make recommendations for the state’s Adult Education Assessment Policy.
3. Services for Support Professionals: Lead and convene the Support Professional Advisory and Resource Committee (SPARC).Convene meetings monthly with SPARC committee members including state assessment trainers, state adult education database staff, state adult education team members, and staff from a variety of local adult education programs.
   1. Lead the planning and implementation of the annual Adult Education Support Professional Conference.
   2. Lead, promote and administer the Minnesota Adult Education Support Professional Certificate through development of a clear application process, communication, and incentive strategies like stipends, newsletter articles and increased online presence.
      Advise the state adult education team on policy issues that are important to adult education support professionals.
   3. Advise the state adult education team and state adult education database staff on webinars focused on accountability for support staff and administrators.
   4. Advise and provide guidance to the state adult education team and database staff on developing desk monitoring procedures and resources.
   5. Promote best practices in student intake and orientation, including promotion of virtual intake resources, Bridge to Benefits, and disability-inclusive intake practices, via statewide ABE events, webinars, and PD newsletter articles.
4. Website: Host, maintain and promote a website with resources on assessment and resources for adult education support staff, which includes a full list of currently approved assessments, testing certification requirements, links to instructional resources that address assessment competencies, information on SPARC, the Minnesota Adult Education Support Professional Certificate overview and application process, and other technical assistance and effective practices on testing or for adult education support professionals.
5. PD Coordination: Coordinate PD efforts with the state adult education team and other state PD providers through participation in state adult education PD Committee communications and quarterly meetings.
6. PD Communications: Communicate information and resources related to the grant activities above to state adult education consortia by entering and maintaining a list of PD opportunities in the adult education PD catalog and PD calendar, and by submitting content to statewide PD newsletter.