Adult Education Programming: A Link between Basic Education and the Job Force.

I am an advocate for adult education programming.

This article was inspiring. The author gives us an overview of the Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (I-BEST) program adult education model.

Through this program, adults are given the chance to learn and get real-life job training so that they can actually, really, get and be prepared for jobs!

I-Best challenges the traditional notion that students must complete all basic education before they can even start a job-training program. This approach often discourages students because it takes more time, and the stand-alone basic skills classes do not quality for college credit. I-BEST students start earning college credits immediately.

(Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges)

Good Highlight:

There are two teachers present. One, to teach the professional and technical content. Another, to teach basic skills in reading, math, writing or English language. Real-world scenarios are touched on as is job-training.
In the NPR article, the author notes that one teacher looks out for idioms while the other is teaching:

Candy would say these phrases like, 'Fly by the seat of your pants.' And I would interrupt, and I'd say, 'Does that mean I'm throwing my pants up in the air and flying?' And she would laugh and the students would laugh because that's what they're thinking," Rogers says. "By my modeling that, it gives them permission that it is OK to ask questions and that's the sign of an intelligent and a good student. 

(NPR, Cardoza)

As teachers, they try to make the learning environment more open. You see, it is easy for teachers to assume that students just "get it" when they nod their heads, or decided that it's the students fault for not asking questions. For the people in this program, many trying to earn their high school diplomas, it is important to reach out and create an environment which allows questions to be asked comfortably (as it should be in every classroom, for that matter). 

Ehhh Highlight: 

Students going through this program are pretty typical of what you'd find in any adult education class across the country. They've often dropped out of high school, have low levels of reading and math, many don't speak English fluently. 

(NPR, Cardoza)

Is this really typical, or is this assumptive? I need some statistics. It is clear that there is a huge population that may fit one or more of these descriptions out there. I-BEST seems to have a nice way of helping out. 

Do I think this is a good learning model? Yes. I'm keeping an eye on you, I-BEST!

Empowering Women Through Entrepreneurship and Education

As a woman, I do not enjoy the routine expense of feminine hygienic products. Let's be honest. I would rather spend that cash on groceries or a movie. However, imagine the availability of these products to be much more scarce and much more taboo. As noted in the articles, many women end up using and reusing rags without allowing them to dry or they find leaves rather than purchasing the expensive lady gear (money better spent on feeding their families)--this is both uncomfortable and has the capacity for longterm health problems.

Arunachalam Muruganantham (in India) decided to create a machine that could be used in rural areas to make sanitary napkins inexpensively and locally. Now, this machine is becoming a big hit in rural areas of India. The availability of these pads have also begun work on unweaving the shame and embarrassment that the cultural's view of the menstrual cycle creates. 

A women's school in one part of rural India now uses this machine to give women the opportunity to learn, but also to help fund their school. Providing education for women is a HUGE deal and the fact that they now have a way to provide for themselves and create a legacy for future women learner's is an empowering and inspirational thing. 

 ...while making their lives and the community better, they also wean themselves off financial dependence on men. (Murphy, 2010)

If you haven't yet seen these articles on NPR, I greatly encourage your perusal! In addition, the story of Muruganantham is now being told through a documentary- I can't wait to check it out.