Minutes of VLLC Meeting at Program Managers Meeting

As a result of the VLLC meeting at the Program Managers meeting, Shannon Beasley and Thomas Suh held a training for DOE grant recipient programs in Northern Virginia on December 11th. Working closely with programs, the DOE will help QuAL D programs to create error free reports. If error free reports are submitted by all the programs for 3 months in a row, these programs can continue to use the import function on the VLF database. On its part, the VLF will fund the changes that are required to satisfy new DOE requirements.

Read Annette Loschert's minutes below:

VLLC Meeting

November 8, 2007

Managers’ Meeting

Virginia Crossings

Richmond

Minutes

In attendance:

Christine Antonucci, Tidewater Literacy, Christine@tidewaterliteracy.org

Janet Booth, Eastern Shore Litercy Council, esliteracy@verizon.net

Marilyn Breslow, Refugee & Immigration Services, mbreslow@richmonddiocese.org

Kay DeSilva, Beacon - Bristow, beaconabe@comcast.net

Ginger Hilleary, LV Fauquier County, director@lvfc.net

Annette Loschert, LV of Roanoke Valley, annette@lvarv.org

Barbara Notar, Loudoun Literacy Council, bnotar@loudounliteracy.org

Wayne Shewmaker, Literacy Council N VA, wshewmaker@lcnv.org

Donna Webster, LV New River Valley, LVNRV@verizon.net

Annette chaired……..

1. The VLLC description that appears on the website is good, just add brochure text re advocacy.

2. We are being heard by the DOE. There is recognition of our programs. Patty Donnelly is a good leader – passionate, vocal, good representative. CBLOs were represented on Thursday afternoon’s panel discussion (Annette Loschert).

3. The regional structure is working – meetings attached to other State meeting that we attend are effective.

4. Patty was well supported by this group. Annette invited recommendations for leadership to be sent to Vicky.

5. Patty’s clarification of the new VA DOE regulations was reviewed.

Additional comments by group.

1. Ginger – there were only 6 pilots for use of database, but 18 programs were funded to use it by VLF.
2. Ginger – errors – pre-existing student numbers are locked into the old system and they are being counted as duplicate records.
3. We must use the first two pages of the registration form by January 1.
4. Everyone is anxious to hear decisions regarding p. 3 and p. 4.

6. Donna Webster suggested that we get some sort of “bonus points” for serving lower level learners.

7. Ginger suggested that in the follow-up meeting with the DOE, the CBLOs should show strength by supportive attendance – perhaps officers and those living in the Richmond area.

8. Kay urged CBLOs to contact school ABE programs to see if they are facing the same issues – how are they approaching? We are being held to the same standards though serving lower level learners. This is a comparison of apples to oranges.

9. Kay also talked about Northern VA providing good professional development to CBLOs. Barb and Giners noted that the Tri-County Learning Conference in their area was effective.

10. Kay and others felt we need to address how CBLOs are identified/contacted. Who are they? What is the criteria? What is the structure? Do we need by-laws, to pay dues, etc?

11. Add Marilyn Breslow and other new managers to list.

12. CASAS 100 hours of instruction agreed to be unrealistic. Further contact with CAL needs to take place regarding exceptions.

13. Everyone was in shock regarding the statement that the DOE planned to create an assessment based on content standards.

14. All agreed that the issues listed under the “Difficulties” section were excellent points.