RVPDC Onsite Minutes

FIU Pines Center

May 19, 2005

12:00-2:00 PM

Present:  Mickey, Smith, Bryan, Frederick, Boggs for Kostrub, Valier (for Pelser), Paez

Ms. Mickey welcomed the Council members. Several members had expressed regrets due to administrative issues at workplace. Ms. Mickey convened an executive session to address issues related to ongoing work of the collaborative work of the Region V PDC Councils (Adult Education and Career and Technical) and the Region V Adult Literacy Center. She and others noted that people throughout the region were still struggling getting their momentum back after three hurricanes followed by the devastations of vast administrative shake-ups throughout the region.

Minutes from last meeting were reviewed in reference to report from Dr. Bryan given at that time. Minutes reflected the perceptions of the Regional Councils by representatives of DOE and others. These perceptions had been voiced and challenged by other regional representatives across the state  at a November meeting attended by Dr. Bryan for Ms. Mickey at the ACE of Florida conference. The conversation then addressed that a similar meeting was being called for June 9, 2005 in Orlando at the GED meeting in Lake Buena Vista.  Ms. Mickey and Dr. Smith had engaged in a conference call earlier that day during the May 19 Region Workshop that Dr. Bryan had been unable to attend.  Ms. Mickey and Dr. Smith shared the summary of the meeting for that conference call with Dr. Bouie:

§         Concerns have been expressed that not all regions are reaching their potential.

§         Regions II, III, V are functional and will go for a normal continuation of their grant for this year.

§         Preston Steele would be granted additional funds to create a model for the regions that would encompass Literacy, Perkins and Adult education in one office. It appeared form the conversation, that he will be visiting select sites to create his Model.

§         The upcoming RFP will require at least one onsite planning meeting and up to 2-3 in regions that need it.  The limit to these meetings is to limit reimbursements for travel.

§         All grants will have both long-term and short term plans that address.  The long terms goals should address where we want to be in 3 years relative to reading, math strategies, and technology.  The short term goals will be based on local needs.

§         At the state level there will be no regional reps.  It is unclear as to whom the regional people will report to other than grants at this time. It is assumed that these questions are to be addressed at the June 9 meeting.

§         Dr. Bouie plans to forward the draft of the RFP as soon as it is available so planning can start soon for the process.

§         After some discussion, it was decided that a transfer of learning rate of 50 % would be acceptable with a six months after training for the evaluation.  A concern that will need to be addressed is how is this possible when grants funds often do not arrive until six months into the new year (in some cases December). Dr. Bryan and Dr. Smith both expressed reservations about the intent of the transfer of learning not being feasible in a one year grant.  It was expressed that a true three year grant could show transfer of learning.

§         The change in the RFP will not allow any person to serve solely as a coordinator.

Since Mr. Powell was not present to give a DOE update, Cynthia Boggs share some of the trainings related to the health area that are ongoing for literacy.  The use of the AMA health literacy kits has been a successful method to elicit the support of the nursing professionals in the literacy effort.  Ms. Boggs echoed some of the sentiments expressed by Dr. Bryan, Ms. Mickey and Dr. Smith about the difficulty of getting “life” back into the region.

Dr. Smith then shared his work with the Career and Technical Education and the Sunshine State Standards.  His May 4/5 workshops had over 196 participants. A team from Volusia County served as the trainers for an event held at the FIU-Pines Center. Dade County was extremely well represented with 116 participants of the 196.   Dr. Smith indicated he is continuing to work on his web tutorials for the grant.

Dr. Bryan followed with her report indicating the same sentiment that had been expressed earlier about a general sense of apathy of everyone feeling overwhelmed.  She noted that this year every event was lighter in attendance than years before.  She noted that she had had to cancel several trainings weeks following the hurricanes due to the staff development days being taken away. At this point she has had 19 trainings and close or a hundred less participants than last year.  The trainings have all been well received, but not as well attended.  Participants are expressing concern about how much they have to do and just fear leaving work for training. Dr. indicated she has created a new classroom management tutorial that she plans to have up before the grant is over. She noted that Region V Adult Literacy Center has been very gracious in getting their trainings up on the Region V calendar.

Ms. Mickey initiated a discussion about the severe administrative changes in Dade County and the continuing lack of a “who does what” or “who do you go to”.  At this stage it is still unclear as to what specific roles pertain to Rose Martin, Bobby Gornto, Carol Renick, and Nelson Perez. In an attempt to clarify the needs of Region V, Ms. Mickey agreed to serve as point person to contact people from Broward, Palm Beach, Monroe and Dade to get a better pulse on what is needed in the Region for our three-year plan.  It is apparent from the conversations that it is difficult to plan for 3 years, when many people do not know their roles now or in the immediate future. Several comments were made that FCAT focus does seem to be significant regardless of the area.  Ms. Mickey and Dr. Smith plan to meet and try and determine what strategies may work in Dade and other counties to solicit input.

Next meeting was not scheduled. The members felt a planning meeting would be needed of the Council following the June 9 meeting.

It was planned that Dr. Bryan, Ms. Kostrub, and Ms. Mickey and possibly, Dr. smith would attend the June 9 meting to show a united and collaborative effort for Region V.