The following Adult Education programs have been designated as Promising Practices.

Adult Centers for Comprehensive Education and Support Services (ACCESS)
Adult students of all education levels trying to improve their academic and vocational skills to obtain or upgrade employment.
The Program	ACCESS agencies provide educational and training programs and support services to meet Adult Education, training, and retraining needs. ACCESS agencies provide adult basic education, ESOL, and high school equivalency instruction; nondegree adult occupational training in areas of labor market need; and life management instruction (e.g., employability skills, parenting, health, and nutrition). Support services help meet the needs of adults and link separate components into a continuum of service. These support services include full-time case management and counseling, comprehensive educational assessment and career counseling, on-site child care, parent education and family literacy programs, job development and placement services, and other support services like transportation, housing assistance referrals, and alcohol or drug counseling. ACCESS agencies and consortia work closely with local departments of social services and the local employment and training community.
Implementation Requirements	Agencies must be eligible and respond to a request for proposals from the SED; applicants should be able to provide all the component services of ACCESS either on their own or in consortium with other agencies. Linkages with other service providers are also required. Training Training and technical assistance by the SED. Major areas include assessment, career counseling, case management, child care, family literacy, job development, and serving adults with disabilities. Generally no cost for training, but agencies are responsible for travel expenses.
Materials	Materials Descriptive materials are provided.
SED approval is required for replication.
Contact:	Glenn Schechtman ACCESS Coordinator Adult Family and Adult Education New York State Education Department Room 307EB Albany, NY 12234 (518) 474-1987

Adult Individualized Multi-Services (AIMS)
Single Parents or Displaced Homemakers
The Program	The AIMS (Adult Individualized Multi-Services) program provides career oriented and supportive services to single parents or displaced homemakers with little or no income who must prepare for self sufficiency. The program is enhanced through coordinated and collaborative relationships with campus, community, and county service providers. Students or community members are eligible participants. Employment for at least 30 days was secured and retained over an academic year by 84% of graduates with an Associate Degree.
How it Works:	Outreach activities are conducted on the college campus and in the community to recruit participants and educate faculty and staff, members of the target population, and outside service providers about the availability of program services. The program provides individual and group options for career orientated and support services. The career orientated component of the program includes: career assessment and exploration, job search and readiness activities, and a two week career development/life skills training utilizing the Adkins Career Development Training series. The Supportive services include: counseling, providing information and referrals, and parenting skills training utilizing the Active Parenting training program.
Learning Standard:	Career Development/Occupational Studies.
Contact:	Janet C. Smith, Program Coordinator AIMS Program - bldg. H, room 104 Nassau Community College One Education Drive Garden City, NY 11530 phone: (516) 572-7436 fax: (516) 572-9774

Transport Workers Union Local 100 New York City Transit Authority Upgrade Training Program
Program trainees are all entry-level NYCTA workers, particularly those who are deficient in basic academic skills.
The Program	The TA/TWU-Local Upgrade Training Program provides study-skills instruction, test-taking techniques, and competencies geared toward taking an examination. More specifically, this career-advancement opportunity program for entry-level City Transit Authority workers provides basic academic instruction and maintenance skills to prepare applicants for the Maintainer's Helper Group B Promotional exam. Both classroom- based activities and on-site vocational training are used. Its features include: Classes are held during the day and at night. Instructional activities focus on acquiring both academic and technical skills. Trainees are required to spend a minimum of 4 hours per week in instruction over a 6-month period. An additional 2 hours per week are spent in counseling to help support participants while in the program. A key to the success of this program, now in operation over 17 years, is the forged partnership among a community college, municipality, and local union.
Implementation Requirements	Vocational training facilities and equipment are necessary. Training The one-day training covers instructional activities and program management. Staff needed are two instructors and a program director to manage activities/classes and act as liaison between the employer and the program participants. Additional follow-up technical assistance is available by phone.
Materials	Consumable (i.e., handbooks @ $5 per learner) and nonconsumable (i.e., calculators and films are $15 per learner) curriculum materials.
Contact:	Antoinette Sobin, Ed.D. Borough of Manhattan Community College 199 Chambers Street, S-110F New York, NY 10023 (212) 608-0770/71 fax (212) 608-0770

Vocational English As A Second Language (VESOL)
English Students of Other Languages (Limited English Proficient)
The Program	VESOL enhances employability and self-reliance by providing communication skills to become more competitive, flexible, and adaptable in the job market. The program addresses needs assessment (of students, vocational facility, and labor market), intake, adapted vocational instruction, VESOL instruction, support services, job development and placement, program evaluation, and coordination of components. It can provide general VESOL for students with vocational skills who only need language skills to get a job, retain a job, or advance in a job or VESOL can provide Bilingual Vocational Instruction, counseling and support services, job development, and vocational placement. VESOL has been used with a variety of ESOL populations and increases access to vocational programs and support services, improves the quality of ESOL programs and services, and reduces dropout rates.
Implementation Requirements	Cost varies depending on approach, which is determined by the needs of the labor market, students, and vocational facility. Training Training is required and can be held in a statewide, regional, or local educational setting, though local training has proven the most effective. There are one-day workshops for vocational instructors, ESOL instructors, and counselors and job developers. Workshops provide a basic knowledge of the program. To be successful, it is suggested that continued staff development be provided.
Materials	Materials vary according to the workshop. Distribution and cost are determined before each workshop.
Contact:	Bertha Keenan New York State Consultant/Trainer Bilingual ESOL Vocational Technical Assistance Project P.O. Box 760 Holbrook, NY 11741 (516) 472-3357

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