"Hot Topics"
Room: TBD

Roundtable facilitated discussion and information sharing on the following “Hot Topic” – ASSISTS, GED Testing, Performance Based Funding, CTEDS and Literacy Zones. Roundtables will also be available for best practices sharing for ABE, GED, and ESL Programs. Please bring materials and your ideas to share.

Workshop Sessions Monday May 3, 2010

Pre-Session Fitness Workshop 7:00 a.m.—8:00 a.m.

Sunrise Basic Yoga Stretch
Presenter: Maria Chefalo, Director of Community Education, Gates-Chili Central School
Room: Salon F

Start your day off right and enjoy a basic yoga stretch class. Discuss the basic concepts of yoga, learn yoga breathing and try a few feel good yoga moves. This class is for everyone! The goal is to relax, celebrate and focus on you for an hour. If you have always wanted to try yoga or already enjoy the benefits of yoga, join us today. If you can, bring yoga mat, beach towel, or blanket and dress comfortably. Come see if you might like yoga.

Workshop Session I: 8:30 am - 9:30 pm

GAIN (General Assessment of Instructional Needs)
Presenter: Deb Pauley, Corporate Training Specialist, Wonderlic, Inc.
Room: Albany

This GAIN informational workshop is recommended for Administrators, Coordinators, Instructors, and Test Administrators who are not familiar with this new basic skills assessment. The GAIN was specifically developed for ABE with content and scoring directly correlated to the EFLs. Participants will learn how to properly administer the GAIN, interpret results to ensure adult students receive appropriate training with targeted instruction, how to navigate the Wonderlic Online interface, and how to become a certified GAIN Test Administrator.

Improving Reading Comprehension and TABE Reading Scores with Lexile Measures
Presenter: Mike Johnson, Adult Assessment Product Manager, CTB/McGraw-Hill
Room: Colonie

CTB/McGraw-Hill and MetaMetrics have recently completed a research project linking TABE Reading results to Lexile measures to improve adult literacy comprehension and retention. You will learn how Lexile measures can be used to connect learners with ability-appropriate instructional and leisure reading materials for effective reading practice via a free web resource.

Improving Reading Comprehension and TABE Reading Scores with Lexile Measures
Presenter: Mike Johnson, Adult Assessment Product Manager, CTB/McGraw-Hill
Room: Colonie

CTB/McGraw-Hill and MetaMetrics have recently completed a research project linking TABE Reading results to Lexile measures to improve adult literacy comprehension and retention. You will learn how Lexile measures can be used to connect learners with ability-appropriate instructional and leisure reading materials for effective reading practice via a free web resource.

Opening Speaker - Congressman Paul D. Tonko
10:00 - 11:00am

Congressman Paul D. Tonko is serving his first term in Congress representing the 21st District of New York, which includes the state's capital city, Albany. Paul comes to Washington, DC with over two decades of administrative, legislative and policy experience having served in the New York State Assembly from 1983 to 2007, and as President and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) from 2007-2008. Congressman Tonko also has strong ties to local government, which he sees as a crucial partner in delivering programs and services to constituents. At age 26, Paul was the youngest person in the history of Montgomery County to be elected to the county’s Board of Supervisors. He served as chairman of that body until 1981. Prior to his election to the Assembly in 1983, Paul was an engineer in the New York State Department of Transportation and also served on the staff of the Department of Public Service. Paul has been a longtime member of the Public Employees Federation (PEF) and proudly serves as the first PEF member elected to Congress. Paul graduated from Clarkson University with a degree in mechanical and industrial engineering. He is a lifelong resident of the city of Amsterdam, New York. A complete bio can be found at http://tonko.house.gov.