A Reimagined Vision for Adult Education Services for the City of Philadelphia: Final Report and Recommendations Alisa Belzer, Ph.D., Rutgers University Carol Clymer, Ed.D., Pennsylvania State University Rebecca Reumann-Moore, Ph.D., Independent Consultant With Anna Kaiper-Marquez, Ph.D., Jungeun Lee, Ph.D., Esther Prins, Ph.D., Tabitha Stickel, Ed.M, Pennsylvania State University January 2021 A Reimagined Vision for Adult Education Services for the City of Philadelphia Table of Contents Executive Summary: A Reimagined Vision for Adult Education Services for the City of Philadelphia: Final Report and Recommendations .................................................................. 4 Research Highlights ........................................................................................................................5 Recommendations .........................................................................................................................5 Conclusion .....................................................................................................................................6 A Reimagined Vision for Adult Education Services for the City of Philadelphia: Final Report and Recommendations ................................................................................................................. 8 Research Highlights ........................................................................................................................9 The need for and gaps in literacy services ........................................................................................................... 9 Philadelphia stakeholders’ perspectives on adult education in their city ......................................................... 10 City systems roles ............................................................................................................................................... 10 Recommendations ....................................................................................................................... 11 Strengthen the foundation of a city adult education system ............................................................................ 12 Coordinate, collaborate, and integrate .............................................................................................................. 15 Enhance the functions of a city office for adult education ................................................................................ 16 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................... 19 Appendix 1: Landscape Analysis and Scope of Need for Adult Education in Philadelphia ....... 21 The Current Demographic Landscape of Philadelphia .................................................................... 22 Population .......................................................................................................................................................... 22 Economy ............................................................................................................................................................. 22 Education ............................................................................................................................................................ 23 The Need for Adult Education in Philadelphia ............................................................................... 24 Adults with low-level literacy and numeracy skills ............................................................................................ 24 High school attainment and links to employment ............................................................................................. 25 Immigrants with limited English-speaking proficiency....................................................................................... 28 Provision of Adult Education Services in Philadelphia .................................................................... 29 Key Takeaways ............................................................................................................................ 31 Appendix 1A. Demographic Background, Education Attainment, and Employment Status (%) ........ 34 Appendix 2, Part 1: Philadelphia Stakeholders’ Perspectives on Adult Education in Their City 36 OAE Role in Adult Education......................................................................................................... 36 The myPLACE System ................................................................................................................... 37 Promoting Cross-System Coordination .......................................................................................... 40 Adult Education City Services Re-envisioned ................................................................................. 41 Creating a vision to drive cross-system integration ........................................................................................... 42 Key roles for a city office of adult education...................................................................................................... 43 Key Takeaways ............................................................................................................................ 47 Appendix 2, Part 2: Administrator Survey Results ................................................................. 49 2 A Reimagined Vision for Adult Education Services for the City of Philadelphia Adult Education Program Information .......................................................................................... 49 Overview of OAE Services ............................................................................................................ 62 The Role of the City ...................................................................................................................... 76 Open-Ended Questions ................................................................................................................ 78 Key Takeaways ............................................................................................................................ 80 Appendix 2.2A: Survey Responses to Question 40, Administrator Survey Responses ...................... 82 Appendix 2.2B: Survey Responses to Question 41, Administrator Survey Responses ...................... 84 Appendix 2.2C: Survey Responses to Question 42, Administrator Survey Responses ...................... 86 Appendix 2.2D: Table Summarizing Responses to Question 38, Administrator Survey Responses ... 88 Appendix 2, Part 3: Practitioner Survey Results .................................................................... 89 Adult Education Program Information .......................................................................................... 89 Overview of OAE Services ............................................................................................................ 90 The Role of the City .................................................................................................................... 101 Open Ended Questions ............................................................................................................... 103 Key Takeaways .......................................................................................................................... 105 Appendix 2.3A Practitioner Responses to Question 24 ................................................................ 106 Appendix 2.3B: Practitioner Answers to Question 25 .................................................................. 109 Appendix 2.3C: Practitioner Answers to Question 26................................................................... 111 Appendix 2.3D: Practitioner Answers to Question 22 .................................................................. 111 Appendix 3: Overview of National Best Practice: Citywide Models of Adult Education Systems and Feedback from National Experts .................................................................... 112 Characteristics of City Systems ................................................................................................... 112 Looking across adult education and non-adult education systems ................................................................. 120 Role of the City .......................................................................................................................... 122 Provide and leverage access to material and financial resources ................................................................... 122 Play a convening and coordinating role across service sectors such that adult education is in support of city priorities............................................................................................................................................................ 124 Support a city office that plays a coordinating and capacity building role for adult education providers...... 125 Elements of a Strong System/Lessons Learned for Effective Adult Education in Philadelphia ........ 127 Integrate adult education with other service sectors ...................................................................................... 127 Promote sustainability ...................................................................................................................................... 128 Bring diverse voices to the table to develop a shared vision to meet