ANNUAL REPORT

2007-2008

A Message from President Kathi Medcalf Dear Colleagues,

Wow, what a year it is has been for MAEA. When Otis asked me to follow him as President I was hesitant. He convinced me that the rewards would be worth the time and effort. I have to say that he was correct. As difficult as this year was for many reasons, we have had a very positive year for MAEA. I want to take a moment to highlight some of the things that have happened.

• We applied and received a $ 39,050 Grant from Nellie Mae for advocacy and offered

both student and staff regional trainings that were very successful, and we were able to print postcards for all programs to use for advocacy purposes.

• The fall conference was a huge success with trainings offered from Greg Marsello from LERN doing workshops for two full days.

• The Communications Committee headed by Zane Clement really spent a lot time working this year on a comprehensive plan for Marketing MAEA as a system. MAEA hired Emcompass Marketing to create materials such as our new logo and tagline; Learning for Life and Work. They are also creating a PowerPoint to be used by programs to share information about Maine Adult Education. Templates for fact sheets to be shared with local boards have also been created, and they worked in collaboration with College Transitions on a media campaign.

• A big project that I have spent a lot of time on this year has been the web portal. I am very excited about the possibilities of this project for Maine Adult Education. The opportunity for MAEA to be again on the cutting edge with this portal. Rainstorm Consulting out of Orono has been hired by MAEA to create this website. If you haven’t signed up for the portal I really encourage you to do so. Cathy Newell and Judy Green have been writing grants to support the design process of this portal. The portal is scheduled to go online January 1.

• MAEA continues to provide leadership at the state-wide level, this year we worked to increase College Transitions money, served on the hiring committee for the new state director and worked to make sure we were at the table for graduation requirements and family literacy issues.

As my presidency comes to an end, I have been looking back over the last year and also to the future. This has been an incredible year for Adult Education in many different ways. But, with the announcement of a one million dollar cut in adult education from the Department of Education for next year, we are at a crossroads. Do we retreat into our own programs and fight for survival? Or do we reach out and start really functioning as a system to advocate for adult education as a whole and show Maine that we can help lead this state into an economic future that can be sustainable. My hope is that we choose the latter functioning as a system, not just in word but in deed. Together we can make a difference. I urge all of you to support Suzanne next year as we try and keep MAEA in the forefront at the state level. I want to thank all the members of the MAEA board for their support this year. I wouldn’t have made it through the year without you. Sincerely, Kathi Medcalf

MAEA Board Members 2007-2008 (Term expires) President: Kathi Medcalf (2009), Director of Sanford Community Adult Education 12 King Street, Springvale ME 04083 kmedcalf@sanford.org 207-490-5145 Past-President & Treasurer: Otis Smith (2008), Director of MSAD 29-70 Adult Education 18 Military Street, Houlton ME 04730 otsmith@houlton.sad29.k12.me.us 207-521-3154 President-elect: Suzanne Rojas (2010) Director, MSAD 48 Adult Education P.O. Box 100, Newport, ME 04953 srojas@msad48.org 207-368-3290 Secretary: Executive Director fills function of Board Secretary. 2007-2008 Elected Board Members: 2008 Christina Parks, Teacher Sanford Adult Education 12 King St. Sanford, ME 04083 cparks@sanford.org 207-490-5145 2008 Joan Tremberth, Director MSAD 15 Adult Ed PO Box 1079, Gray ME 04039 jtremberth@msad15.org 207-657-2620 2008 Ana Gabor, Portland West 181 Brackett Street, Portland, ME 04102 agabor@portlandwest.org 207-775-0105 X137 2009 Zane Clement, Director MSAD 61 15 Skillins Circle, Bridgton ME 04009 zclement@sad61.k12.me.us 207-647-5054 2009 Thelma Regan, Director Piscataquis Cooperative 69 High Street, Dover Foxcroft, ME 04426 thelma_regan@msad68.k12.me.us 207-564-6525

Appointed Members (2008) 2008 Kate Rotroff, Director, Gorham Adult Education 41 Morrill Ave, Gorham, ME 04038 207-222-1095 2008 Eva Giles, Director, Lewiston Adult Education 156 East Avenue, Lewiston, ME 04240 207-795-4141 2008 Steve Pound, Greenville Adult Education PO Box 100 Greenville, ME 04441 spound@ghslakers.org 207-695-4619 2008 Janet Smith, Maine Centers for Woman Work & Community 108 Perham St Suite A, Farmington ME 04938 janet.smith@maine.edu 207-778-2757 2008 Brenda Gagne, Director Noble Adult Education 388 Somersworth Road, North Berwick, ME 03906 bgagne@sad60.k12.me.us 207-676-3223 2008 Ellen Dickens, Director Union 74 Adult Education 767 Main Street 1-A, Damariscotta, ME 04543 aded74@midcoast.com 207-563-2811 Ex Officio: Jeff Fantine, Maine Department of Education 23 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333 207-624-6755 Sarah Robinson, Executive Director, Literacy Volunteers of Maine 142 High Street, Portland, ME 04101 sarah@lvmaine.org 207-773-3191 Serving partial terms during 2007-2008 Sandy Mawford, Portland, served as treasurer through Dec. 2007, prior to her passing. Shannon Cox, CALL, resigned May 2008. Rob Callahan, Lewiston, resigned June, 2008 Staff Cathy Newell, Executive Director, Maine Adult Education Association

Box 187, Greenwood, ME 04255 maea@megalink.net 875-2722 (office) or 875-2116(home) Lobbyists: Bob Howe and Pam Cahill, Howe, Cahill & Company, Augusta Bookkeeper: Richard Mooney, Portland, ME Action Team Chairs 2007-08: Certification: Vacant College Transition: Larinda Meade Communication: Zane Clement Conference: Kathi Medcalf Awards: Polly Stanwood Elections: Otis Smith Finance: Otis Smith Hall of Flags: Ellen Dickens Legislative: Cathy Newell, Ellen Dickens Membership: Cathy Newell Professional Development: Gail Senese Scholarships: Suzanne Rojas

ACTION TEAM REPORTS College Transitions Team - Larinda Meade, chair Maine College Transitions has served over 1200 adult learners across the state—50% more students than anticipated. Over the past year, programs have been funded, infrastructure developed, marketing and outreach tools created and data collected. Funding for the program is in its second year at $745,000. The annual Bridges to Success conference was fully enrolled with over 90 registrants. Various professional development activities were hosted over the year. A four minute video and television and radio ads were developed and available to the field for marketing. MELMAC grants continue to provide a very valuable feeder system for the larger state grants and the Compact for Higher Education continues to be an active partner in the success of the programming. Programs offering Maine College Transitions are:

County Adult Education Program Phone Number

Androscoggin County Lewiston 207-795-4141 Aroostook County Fort Kent 207-834-3536 Houlton/Hodgdon 207-521-3100 Madawaska/Frenchville 207-728-6314 Presque Isle 207-764-4776 Caribou 207-493-4272 Cumberland County Bridgton 207-647-5054 Cumberland County Portland 207-874-8155 Cumberland County Windham 207-892-1819 Cumberland 207-829-2208 Gray New Gloucester 207-657-2620 Franklin County Farmington 207-778-3460 Hancock County Sumner 207-422-9100 Kennebec County Gardiner 207-582-3774 Maranacook/HallDale 207- 685-4923 x317 Augusta 207-626-2470

Union 132, Somerville,Palermo 207-549-3261 x3

Winthrop/Monmouth 207-377-2265 Knox County Rockland 207-594-9764

Lincoln County Wiscasset 207-882-9710 Boothbay Region 207-633-3224 Damarscotta 207-563-2811 Waldoboro 207-832-5205 Oxford County Oxford Hills/Buckfield 207-743-8842 xt 9524 Penobscot County Bangor 207-992-5523 Penobscot County Newport 207-368-3290 Piscataquis County Dover Foxcroft 207-564-6525 Greenville 207-564-6525 Milo 207-564-6525 Sagadahoc County Topsham 207-729-7323 Somerset County Fairfield 207 453-4200 x115 Waterville 207-873-5754 Skowhegan 207-474-7553 Waldo County Belfast 207-338-3197 Washington County Machias 207-255-4917 Calais 207-255-4917 York County Bonny Eagle 207-929-9185 Gorham 207-222-1095 York County North Berwick 207-676-3223 South Berwick 207-384-5703 York County Old Orchard Beach/Saco 207-934-7922 York County Sanford 207-490-5145

Communications/Marketing Action Team – Zane Clement, Chair I would like to take this time to briefly summarize the progress made towards meeting the goals that we set out to achieve during the 2007-2008 year. Due to the multi faceted avenues available to us for the promotion of our product and because of the efficiency that technology affords the management of our programs, progress made towards the development of objective two of our communication plan, the State wide portal, will be outlined in an accompanying report compiled by Kathi Medcalf, our 2007-2008 MAEA President. Our communication committee began the year with the intention of achieving Objective 1 of our communication plan developed by Encompass Marketing & Design. The plan was specifically meant to address needs identified by MAEA members through a series of both organized and unorganized events that provided opportunity for members to contribute to the concept. Encompass Marketing and Design compiled and synthesized the needs identified by MAEA members and developed the following goals. The following information was abstracted from the Encompass Plan. Key Issue – “Systemizing” Maine Adult Education: MAEA wants to help its members promote Maine Adult Education statewide. Communication Goals:

-Develop the brand so that Maine Adult Education programs are perceived as one “system” of education. - Allow for individuality at the local program level to best meet the needs of its community. -Create the perception among Maine residents that Maine Adult Education programs are a great value for basic and continuing adult education. The following is a progress report provided by Encompass marketing describing the current status of each subordinate objective of objective one of the marketing plan. 1) Finalize the logo (available on the website) DONE 2) Create a tagline: "Learning for Work & Life" DONE 3) Develop a use recommendation sheet for logo (available on website) DONE 4) Create sample cover template for program catalogs; create logo placement for programs choosing to use their own catalog design (available on website) DONE 5) Create consistent logo icons and subheadings for programs areas of Adult Education DONE 6) Postcards (20,000 distributed to programs) DONE 7) Centralized Printing -- Encompass determined that we needed to know more info to obtain reasonable estimates from printers. We surveyed the programs to ask: Who would participate and if interested, how many do they print and at what times of the year. This info will give us totals and time frames to supply to printers for estimating costs. DONE 8) Fact Sheet -- There was some delay in obtaining content for this piece, but it is now done and in the process of being designed. There will only be one Fact Sheet which allows programs to insert one column of local information and one photo. IN PROCESS 9) DVD with PowerPoint & "Our Maine" segment/PSAs -- This is a 10 minute PowerPoint that programs will use with local Rotaries, etc. to inform them about the new direction for Adult

Education statewide. It will include some testimonials, statistical content from the Fact Sheet, as well as logo information. The PowerPoint will be burned onto a DVD which will also hold the "Our Maine" College Transitions segment and two thirty-second PSAs. IN PROCESS Conference 2007 Report: The 2007 MAEA Conference “Stepping Stones to the Future” was held at the Marriot in South Portland October 17, 18, 19, 2008. 300 different people attended over the 3 days and it was the highest conference attendance in recent years. Kathi Medcalf and the Sanford Staff was the planning team for the conference. The pre-conference on the 15th focused on technology and was chaired by Shannon Cox, Marcia Cook and Cathy Newell. One of the highlights of the conference was the DOE sponsored training from The Learning Resource Network (LERN) and Greg Marsello. He did two full days of training and it was very well received. There were 60+ workshops over the two days divided into 10 strands. The strands were: LERN Administration, English Literacy, Work Readiness, Family Literacy, Counseling, Curriculum , LERN teaching, Math Literacy, College Transitions, Support Staff, DATA Analysis and roundtables. Lucinda Yates of Lucinda Designs was the keynote speaker for lunch on Thursday and Sue Gendron did a breakfast chat on Friday morning about consolidation. The conference evaluations were high and people were happy about the offerings of the conference. Awards 2007: Gerald LeVasseur Award – Andrew McMahan, DOE Outstanding Adult Education Administrator –Anita Findlen, Biddeford Adult Education Outstanding Adult Education Teachers: Rebecca Armstrong, Monmouth, Winthrop Adult Education, Laurie Champagne, Lewiston Adult Education, Ana Gabor, Portland West, Kim Loranger, Biddeford Adult Education, Outstanding Support Staff – Susan Colley, Sanford Community Adult Education Distinguished Service - Patty Hallczuk and Julie Berube, Biddeford Adult Education Special Recognition – Lisa Blanchette, Sanford Community Adult Education Executive Director’s Report The Maine Adult Education Association employs me as Executive Director for 20hr/week. During 2007-2008 I have attended meetings of the Board and subcommittees, and provided staff support to Board committees and ad hoc groups; attending meetings as requested; communicating by phone & e-mail. This year I worked primarily with the Communications, College Transitions, and Legislative committees. I attended meetings of Maine LEAD, the 21st Century Council, and participated with NELRC on Advocacy grants and planning. I work on processing the dues notices and recruiting members. We exceeded our goal for dues income and remained about the same in number of members. The web page was maintained and much planning has gone into the web portal project. Work on the Communications and marketing plan has been a major focus this year and we are poised for excellent results in the coming year. Professional development featured the series of Advocacy trainings coordinated by Mary Beth Paquette, and funded by a grant from the Nellie Maw Foundation. Six trainings were held for program staff and three for learners, with the latter provided by Maine Centers for Women Work and Community. The final phase was the provision of high quality materials for communicating with decision-makers, provided by Encompass marketing. The Summer Academy at Colby was a tremendous success. It was opened more intentionally to teachers and was very well attended

with close to 150 over the 3 days. It was a financial success and the evaluations were very positive. During the spring, I spent much time in Augusta, working with our advocacy team, Bob Howe and Pam Cahill, meeting with legislative leadership and attending committee hearings. See the legislative report for details. Finance Action Team – Otis Smith, Chair and Deputy Treasurer The finance team includes MAEA’s Executive Committee and our accounting firms. This team has worked together this past year to implement the accounting reporting changes that were started last fiscal year. This new system allows MAEA members to track the financial activity of each area of the organization’s activity (Board of Directors, Administration, conferences, special projects, etc.) on a monthly basis. Our team lost a valuable leader with the death of Sandy Mawford, our Treasurer, last winter. We have begun the process of seeking 501c3 status from the IRS so that we can more actively seek grant assistance from organizations that require this of their recipients. As a part of this process, we will be voting on by-law changes at our 2008 annual meeting. In part, these changes will reflect MAEA’s “shift” to be more education driven through our new portal/marketing initiative. In this 501c3 application, we have forecast grant revenues averaging over $50,000 per year. Currently, we have grant applications pending that will help us meet our goal for the fiscal years 2008-2010. All MAEA members are encouraged to become familiar with the financial workings of the organization so that you can be assured of the best use of your dues, registration fees, and marketing and administrative costs. Legislative Action Team – Ellen Dickens, Chair MAEA met with the Commissioner in the fall and submitted a bill for 6% subsidy increase that was eventually withdrawn due to state budget. There was unanticipated activity relating to the warrant language and budget approval process that resulted in an end-of-session emergency bill that passed. We were successful in preventing any cut to college transition or to state subsidy, by supporting the MDOE decision to discontinue the CALL contract and seek an alternative delivery for professional development. MAEA participated in several federal contacts as directed by our national contact, Art Ellison. Membership Action Team – See Executive Director Report Professional Development Action Team - See Executive Director Report Scholarship Action Team – Suzanne Rojas, Chair Recipients of MAEA scholarships this year were Deborah Little – Bangor, Bradford Lopes – Skowhegan, and Bobbie-Joe Gerry – Newport. The scores were very close and the decision was made to fund 3 scholarships of $500 rather than the usual two. Hall of Flags - Ellen Dickens, Chair

The MAEA Legislative Day (Hall of Flags Day) was held on Monday, April 7, 2008. Eleven programs, including a number of collaboratives, had tables. They were joined by Literacy Volunteers and the SPICE Family Literacy program. The Hall of Flags Day is an opportunity for Maine Adult Education programs to introduce themselves and their students to their legislators and several programs brought groups of students to meet their legislators. In addition, the Legislature passed a joint resolution honoring adult education students and programs. At noon Governor Baldacci and Commissioner Gendron joined us for a short program in the Hall. Students from Windham, Sumner and Merrymeeting Adult Education programs spoke about their own experiences with Adult Education. They offered poignant and moving stories about learning to read to grandchildren, getting a GED, and moving from a college transitions program to college. As always, the students reminded us of the very great power that educating adults has to change lives.

Orders

Joint Resolutions Joint Resolution Recognizing Adult Education in Maine WHEREAS, since 1871, Maine’s public schools have supported the development of an adult education system which has grown and adapted to meet the needs of Maine’s population at 111 locations throughout the state, serving more than 121,000 Maine adults annually, WHEREAS, Adult Education programs, based in the public school systems, are uniquely positioned to provide adults with the opportunity to learn where they live in all parts Maine. Adult Education programs are vital to the economic development of Maine, providing high school completion programs and courses specifically designed to help educate the workforce and prepare Maine adults for success in college. The areas of emphasis include: 1. College Transition Programs, based upon collaboration with the Compact for Higher Education and Maine’s Community Colleges and University System, provide career guidance, an orientation to college and refresher and prerequisite classes for aspiring students. Comprehensive Adult Education College Transition are in place in 22 regions, and services are also provided at many more programs. The goal is to increase the adults in Maine earning college degrees by 10,000 by 2020 through formal programs at more than 30 sites; 2. Direct service to more than 3500 of Maine’s dislocated workers from 100 companies during the past 6 years; 3. Literacy and English as a Second Language programs with 15,000 enrollments in 2007, and successful Family Literacy programs combining adult education and early childhood and parenting instruction; 4. High school completion and GED programs with 3196 credentials awarded in Maine in 2007; 5. Career preparation and upgrading courses for Maine workers, with more than 21,000 enrollments in 2007, and programs tailored specifically for Maine businesses including the implementation of an exciting Work Ready Credential program for Maine employers focusing on “soft skills” for success in the workplace; 6. Community Education courses, with 70,000 enrollments in 2007, contribute to the quality of life in Maine communities, offering the opportunity for Mainers from 18 to 96 to share talents and learn from others. In several regions, adult education programs are leading the way in developing the Creative Economy. WHEREAS, funding for adult education in Maine is a partnership that includes state subsidy, local taxpayer support, grants, contracts, and fees paid by those enrolled in non-academic courses; now therefore, be it RESOLVED: That We, the Members of the 124nd Legislature now assembled in the Second Regular Session, pause to acknowledge and applaud Maine’s adult education programs, which uniquely reflect the needs of the communities they serve, and provide a vital system of service to the population of the State as new challenges are faced in economic, community and family life; and be it further RESOLVED: That a suitable copy of this resolution, duly authenticated by the Secretary of State, be transmitted to the Department of Education.

Maine Adult Educators Association (1965-1967) Maine Association for Public School Adult Education (1967-1990)

Maine Adult Education Association (1990-present) Years of Service President Location 1965-1967 Dick Mayo* Bangor 1967-1969 Jim Flanagan* Portland 1969-1970 Bob Curran Camden 1970-1971 Gerry LeVasseur Van Buren 1971-1972 Len McGinnis Waterville 1972-1973 Duke Martin Presque Isle 1973-1974 John Simpson Biddeford 1974-1975 Clayton Blood Searsport 1975-1976 Jack Webb Sanford 1976-1979 Doug McGowan* Presque Isle 1979-1981 Gaille Heseltine* Portland 1981-1982 Ray Bussiere Bangor 1982-1983 Ervin MacDonald Houlton Loren Ritchie Sherman Station 1983-1984 Paul Dulac(resigned) Gardiner Patrick O’Reagan Augusta 1984-1985 Dick Madore Bangor 1985-1986 Sharon Martin Westbrook 1986-1987 Dick Madore Bangor 1987-1988 Don Berry Belfast & DECS 1988-1989 Cathy Newell Bethel 1989-1990 Anne Niemiec Lewiston 1990-1991 Conrad Walton Caribou 1991-1992 Andy McMahan Fairfield 1992-1993 John Forester Augusta 1993-1994 Larinda Meade Portland 1994-1995 Janet Kalman Sanford 1995-1996 Lin Hallowell Waterville 1996-1997 Becky Dyer Biddeford 1997-1998 Anne Kemper Lewiston 1998-1999 Diann Bailey Gardiner 1999-2000 Diana McCain Bath 2000-2001 Tom Nash Sanford 2001-2002 Judy Green South Paris 2002-2003 Rob Wood Portland 2003-2004 Barbara Goodwin Waterboro 2004-2005 Gail Senese Portland 2005-2006 Patte Bowman Skowhegan 2006-2007 Otis Smith Houlton 2007-2008 Kathi Medcalf Sanford *Served multiple year terms

MAEA Members 2007-08 Institutional Program Auburn Augusta Bangor Bath Biddeford Bucksport Caribou Readfield(Hallowell) CSD10 Camden(Five Towns) CSD 19 Boothbay Harbor CSD 3 Sullivan (Sumner) CSD 4 Mt. Desert CSD7 Island Falls CSD 9 Ellsworth Falmouth Freeport Gorham Kittery Lewiston Madawaska (Frenchville) Millinocket Presque Isle MSAD 1 Gardiner MSAD 11 Jackman MSAD 12 Gray MSAD 15 South Paris MSAD 17 Fort Fairfield MSAD 20 Van Buren MSAD 24 Sherman MSAD 25 Fort Kent MSAD 27 Houlton (Hodgdon) MSAD 29/70 Unity/Mt.View MSAD 3 Howland MSAD 31 Belfast MSAD 34 Eliot MSAD 35 Livermore Falls MSAD 36 Buckfield MSAD 39 Guilford MSAD 4 Waldoboro MSAD 40 Milo MSAD 41 Bethel MSAD 44 Dexter MSAD 46 Oakland MSAD 47 Newport MSAD 48 Fairfield MSAD 49 Rockland(Thomstn)MSAD 5/50 Cumberland MSAD 51 Turner MSAD 52 Pittsfield MSAD 53 Skowhegan MSAD 54 Hiram MSAD 55 Searsport MSAD 56

Waterboro MSAD 57 Kingfield MSAD 58 Bar Mills MSAD 6 North Berwick MSAD 60 Bridgton MSAD 61 Lincoln MSAD 67 Dover Foxcroft MSAD 68 Kennebunk MSAD 71 Fryeburg MSAD 72 Anson MSAD 74 Topsham(Brunswick)MSAD 75 Vinalhaven MSAD 8 Farmington MSAD 9 Old Orchard Beach Portland Richmond Sanford Scarborough Machias Union 102 Baileyville Union 107 EastMillinocket Union 113 Mechanic Falls Union 29 Rangeley Union 37 Sabattus Union 44 Whitefield Union 51 Greenville Union 60 Damariscotta Union 74 Orono Union 87 Voc. Region 3 Lincoln Midcoast School of Technology United Technology Center Voc. Reg. 9(Rumford/Mexico) Voc. Region 10 (Brunswick) Waldo County Technology Center Waterville Wells-Ogunquit Westbrook Windham Winthrop(Monmouth) Wiscasset York Harrington MSAD 37 Mars Hill MSAD 42 Lisbon Falls Institutional Partners DOE Adult Education Team CALL Educational Skills Inc. Cumberland Co. Correctional Literacy Volunteers/Maine Maine State Prison Maine Centers for Women,Work & Community USM Masters Program Downeast Correctional

Portland West Individual Members Evelyn Vandedestine Kevin Doran Patrick O'Regan Anne Niemiec Susan Dyer Taylor Theresa Aiello Elaine Tselkis Larinda Meade Al Menard