Adult Education Newsletter
IN THIS ISSUE:
Please contact the Adult Education team within LEO-WD if your program has a new director, administrator or business office staff. We can help make sure you have all the information you need for a successful program year – and ensure our contact lists are up to date.
It is also very important for all state- and federally-funded adult education providers ensure the contact information for your program is accurate in NexSys, as this information is used to populate the Adult Education Directors contact list and the Adult Education Services Locator. Please take a few moments to double check your information. We will be updating the locator in the next month with Program Year (PY) 2024-25 program offerings and class locations.
We greatly appreciate you keeping us informed of any staff changes in your program and we are happy to answer any questions or concerns.
Earlier this year, the Adult Education team within LEO-WD negotiated performance targets for Program Year (PY) 2024 and PY 2025 with the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE). The negotiation process is based on the following factors:
- How the levels compare with the negotiated levels of performance established for other states.
- Ensure that the levels are adjusted using an objective statistical adjustment model provided by the U.S. Departments of Labor and Education.
- The extent to which the levels involved promote continuous improvement in performance accountability measures by the state and ensure optimal return on investment of federal funds.
- The extent to which the levels involved will assist the state in meeting the performance goals established by the Secretaries of Education and Labor in accordance with the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA).
Below are the WIOA Title II negotiated targets for Michigan for each of the primary indicators of performance:
 Please refer to Program Memorandum 20-2: Negotiations and Sanctions Guidance for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Core Programs for more information on the negotiation process. The PY2024 and PY2025 performance targets are available on the Program Administration page of the LEO-WD Adult Education website.
The measurable skill gain (MSG) calculation was updated in MAERS, effective for PY 2023-24, to include the new gains listed below:
- Passage of one or more official GED® or HiSET® subject tests.
- Attainment of a high school equivalency credential through Total Transcript, which is a service provided by DiplomaSender that combines test scores across GED® and HiSET® into a single transcript. When DiplomaSender reports a Total Transcript through the data matching process, it now counts as a secondary credential attainment.
- Enrollment in postsecondary education or training during the program year. A participant is no longer required to be exited from the adult education program to count enrollment in postsecondary as an MSG.
The notable screen changes are on the Achievements module. All MAERS reports have been updated to count these additional gains and new rows were added to the MSG section of the Participant Performance Summary report.
The Performance Measure Tool has been updated and is available on the MAERS page of the LEO-WD website. We are working on updating the Report Guide and MAERS User Manual which will be publish as soon as possible. The Training Videos will be updated by the end of the calendar year as we finalize some other screen modifications.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the MAERS Helpdesk at LEO-MAERS2.0@michigan.gov.
Do you have new staff that need MAERS training? Do you need a refresher on a certain topic in MAERS? The MAERS User Manual and the 28 MAERS Training Videos are available on the MAERS page on the Adult Education website.
- The videos follow the manual chapters and are broken down into short segments.
- The videos range between 5 minutes to 24 minutes, with half being less than 10 minutes long.
Check them out today!
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The gender options on the Adult Learning Plan (ALP) were updated to now also include “Non-Binary” and “No Answer” for individuals who prefer not to provide their gender. These changes were made as the result of National Reporting System (NRS) changes by OCTAE earlier this year. The gender option changes went live in MAERS at the end of September.
The Adult Learning Plan Addendum – Eligibility Form was also updated to reflect the WIOA Title II funding sources. The WIOA Institutional funding source was updated to WIOA Corrections Education to align with the grant application and NexSys. We are still in the process of updating the funding sources in MAERS.
As a reminder, the Adult Learning Plan must be completed for all new registrations and the Adult Learning Plan Addendum – Eligibility Form is required to be completed each program year for every participant.
If you have any questions on the Adult Learning Plan or Eligibility Form, please contact Brian Frazier at FrazierB3@michigan.gov.
Keywe is the Michigan adult education professional development learning management system for state and federally funded adult education providers. Keywe houses a variety of self-paced courses for teachers, administrators and staff and most are SCECH eligible. Courses are being added regularly, such as the Customizing Learning Paths Through Scaffolding and Differentiation, which was recently made available. This 60-minute asynchronous course is designed to equip adult education instructors with the essential knowledge and skills to effectively implement scaffolding and differentiation strategies in their teaching practices.
For those that do not have a Keywe account, you can sign up here. There is also a Keywe tutorial video available for new users on the LEO-WD Adult Education page.
Plus, there is now an Adult Education Professional Development Newsletter released monthly that is available by clicking on the Newsletter tab within Keywe!
 If you have any questions about Keywe or professional development opportunities, please contact EDSI as MI.AE-PD@edsi.com.
In an effort to process vouchers more quickly and efficiently, the online HSE-to-School GED Voucher Request Form has been updated. Applicants are now required to provide the following information when submitting their application:
- GED ID Number (testers must log into their online GED account to access the16-digit number)
- City of Residence
- County of Residence
- Zip Code
The option to send voucher codes to a program email is still available. Applicants must select “Yes” to the question asking if the applicant would like the voucher codes sent to their instructor and then the program email field will display.
Another change is the addition of a required question that appears once the applicant selects the test subject(s), confirming the applicant has earned a minimum score of 145 on the GED Ready® Practice Test for the selected subject(s). This field was added to try and reduce the number of requests submitted by applicants that have not met this eligibility requirement.
A required check box was added to ensure applicants understand they will not receive a new code for missed tests. While there will be times an extenuating circumstance prevents someone from testing, applicants must be aware that they have up until 24 hours prior to the test appointment to reschedule.
After the online request form has been successfully submitted, applicants will receive a confirmation email.
The goal of these additions is to improve the process and reduce the processing time. If you have any questions about these changes, or if you have a tester that does not receive a voucher code within 7-10 business days, please email Carrie Price at CarrieP17@michigan.gov or Tricia Kane at KaneP1@michigan.gov.
As a reminder, effective July 2024, GED Testing Service updated the retake testing policy to allow testers who do not earn a passing score on a subject test one retake at the discounted rate of $10.00, if taken within 12 months of the initial test. If the retake results in a non-passing score, the third test will be at the full price of $43.50. Please be sure to make your students aware of this change.
The discounted retake is still only available to those that test at a GED® Testing Center. Testers who opt to take the Online GED Test should know the cost will always be $43.50 and the discounted retake does not apply to the online test.
This policy change does not affect the 60-day wait policy. Testers will still be allowed to take three tests per subject area before a mandatory 60-day wait period is placed on the non-passed subject.
The GED & Me™ app is available for download in the Apple App Store!
After years of talking about it, GED Testing Service® (GEDTS) created the mobile app specifically for learners. There are a lot of mobile apps out there that use the GED name, but this is the only app tied to the Official GED® Test. This is a major milestone for GEDTS and for learners. Just like the website, portal, Advisors, and social media have changed the way GEDTS communicates with GED learners; so will the introduction of the mobile app.
The GED & Me app provides yet another way to connect directly with learners to provider support and help them to succeed. Check out the GED & Me information page for more information.
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LEO-WD, in partnership with PSI Services, will be hosting an overview of the HiSET test series on Wednesday, October 23 from 2:30 – 4 p.m. The Microsoft Teams meeting will review HiSET testing in Michigan, important information for students, resources for teachers, and how to become a HiSET test center. There will also be time to answer any remaining questions.
Registration is not required prior to the webinar. Please join the meeting on October 23 at 2:30 p.m. using the following link:
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 228 705 895 692
Passcode: r5CosB
The LEO-WD Adult Education team is hosting a webinar on October 15 from 1 – 2:30 p.m. in partnership with the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP), Office of Sixty by 30 and the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN).
This webinar will share important and exciting updates on how Michigan is creating multiple and varied pathways for adult learners to enter into college and postsecondary opportunities. We will explore our statewide vision for college attainment and share pertinent information on statewide policy priorities and programs concerning adult learners through Michigan Reconnect, the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and the Michigan Community College Guarantee. This webinar is intended for practitioners and partners invested in accelerating adult learners into future college and career outcomes.
Register for the webinar here.
We also be hosting a session on these scholarship opportunities for students in November. More information on that webinar will be coming soon.
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 Do you have students interested in enrolling in community college for free or at a highly reduced rate? The Michigan College Access Network is excited to support adult students as a part of its expanded Adult Student Attainment Strategy. This includes uplifting pathways and opportunities for more adult learners to transition to postsecondary education. As you reach out to adult students this fall, either currently enrolled or completing follow up on those that have completed, I'd encourage you to contact one of our Retired Educator FAFASA Specialists (REFS) to assist with the FAFSA Completion, Michigan Reconnect Enrollment and college planning.
Goal of the REFS Program
Launched in partnership with the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential and the Office of Sixty by 30, the REFS program aims to boost FAFSA completion and enrollment in Michigan’s community and tribal colleges for adult learners aged 21-24. This initiative primarily targets adult learners eligible for the Michigan Reconnect Expansion, utilizing retired school counselors and other former educational professionals to reach eligible people in their community. The REFS' work this summer and fall prioritizes MCAN's mission-aligned populations, particularly individuals of color and/or from low-income backgrounds, who are currently not engaged in Michigan Reconnect.
REFS Team
MCAN currently has 22 REFS in place across the state. You can find a complete listing of REFS and their regions here. REFS are knowledgeable about assisting adult learners, FAFSA completion strategies, Michigan Reconnect enrollment, and the state's Sixty by 30 educational attainment goal. REFS are accessible in person or virtually for students.
If you have any questions, please contact Patrick Brown at patrick@micollegeaccess.org.
Going to college is a big decision for many adults. But this is the right time to do it. Now, an affordable college education is possible while taking advantage of benefits like the flexibility and convenience of online programs that let students learn at their own pace.
Adult learners age 21 or over don’t want to miss the chance to earn a tuition-free degree or certificate through Michigan Reconnect. Now, for a limited time, Michigan residents 21 to 24 can enroll in Michigan Reconnect, previously limited to those 25 and older. This is a chance to take the next step toward the life they want!
Encourage your students today—the expansion for adults 21-24 is only available for a limited time! The priority deadline to apply is November 15, 2024, and the final deadline for applications is December 31, 2024.
Have questions? Michigan Reconnect Student Navigators can help!
Find the local Reconnect Navigator at Michigan.gov/reconnect/community-college/navigators. Every Tuesday from 12 to 2 p.m. and Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m., members of the Michigan Reconnect Navigator team will be online to provide one-on-one support, answer individual questions about the program, and even help complete the FAFSA.
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Did you know that high school graduates, including students that earn a high school equivalency certificate, in 2023 and after may be eligible to receive up to $4,000 for a career training program with the Michigan Achievement Skills Scholarship? Visit Michigan.gov/achievement for full program details.
Please visit Michigan.gov/careertraining for a full list of career training programs which qualify to receive scholarship funds under the Michigan Achievement Skills Scholarship and the Michigan Reconnect Short-Term Training Program.
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Notifying all teachers, administrators, and educational staff! The U.S. Department of Education's Office of English Language Acquisition recently launched an updated English Learner (EL) Family Toolkit and an accompanying EL Family Toolkit app.
The EL Family Toolkit app provides ELs with access to quality educational opportunities and keeps educators informed of the latest professional development resources from the U.S. Department of Education. The app also offers practical tips for educators on how to use the toolkit to connect with families effectively. It is a free resource that aims to enhance support for ELs and their families.
The app is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Arabic for both Android and Apple devices. To download the app, simply search for “EL Family Toolkit” in your app store.
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October 31, 2024: PY 2023-24 WIOA Final Narrative Report Due in NexSys by 11:59 p.m.
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November 1, 2024: PY 2023-24 Section 107 Fiscal Agent and Provider Reporting Due in the Financial Information Database (FID)
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