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Resource Library ACCELERATING OPPORTUNITY

Field Guide

 
  • Getting Started
    • Kicking off the Planning and Design Phase
    • Understanding Integrated Pathways
    • Organizing a Design Team
    • Stakeholder Engagement
    • Establishing High-level Goals
    • Strategy Development
    • Planning for Scale
  • Pathway Development
    • Getting Started With Pathway Development
    • What Makes a Strong Pathway?
    • Building Complete Career Pathways
    • Selecting Pathways for Integration
    • Comprehensive Support Services
    • Instructional Strategies
    • Using Labor Market Data
  • Implementation and Sustainability
    • Implementing Integrated Pathways
    • Managing Implementation
    • Building College Capacity
    • Professional Development
    • Technical Assistance to Colleges (for state systems)
    • Financial Planning and Sustainability
  • Policy
    • Overview
    • Policy Categories
    • Policy Principles
    • Policy Development Process
    • Developing a Policy Work Plan
  • Using Data
    • The Importance of Data
    • A Multifaceted Approach to Using Data
    • Using Data to Support Planning
    • Using Data to Guide Implementation
    • Using Data to Demonstrate Success
    • Using Data for Continuous Improvement
    • Using Data to Build Support
  • Tools

Welcome to the Accelerating Opportunity Field Guide

Across the country, educators and policymakers are looking for strategies to help low-skilled adults get the education and training they need to succeed in family-supporting careers.

The Accelerating Opportunity Field Guide will help you join a national movement to redesign Adult Basic Education and Career and Technical Education. The processes and strategies outlined will help you increase educational attainment, and develop the skilled workforce needed to attract businesses and grow the economy

What are Integrated Pathways?

Integrated educational pathways combine career/technical education with basic skills instruction so that students can attain marketable credentials while increasing their reading, writing, and math skills. Read More →

Why develop Integrated Pathways?

Integrated pathways enable students to earn credentials more quickly. In an integrated pathways model, students enroll in ABE and college-level courses concurrently. This accelerates their progress and makes the basic skills component more relevant to their interests and career goals.  Read More →

Featured Resources

Who Should Use This Guide?

The Accelerating Opportunity Field Guide is a resource for any state or college that seeks to connect Adult Basic Education with career/technical pathways:
 
State audiences: Community college system offices, state Adult Basic Education leaders, state agencies (e.g., Department of Labor, Department of Health and Human Services), economic development organizations, other stakeholders
 
College audiences: College leaders, trustees, faculty, administrative staff, ABE programs working with community college partners, community-based organizations, other stakeholders

Accelerating Opportunity is a four-year initiative that aims to substantially increasing the number of adults earning the credentials and skills they need to get and succeed in family-sustaining jobs.

Suggestions for Using the Accelerating Opprtunity Field Guide

  • The Field Guide covers planning, implementing, and sustaining an integrated pathways model. Explore it in the way that works best for you, depending on where you are in the process.
  • Adapt the recommendations as needed to fit your state’s unique context.
  • Use the language and examples to engage potential members of your design team.
  • Use the tools with the design team to spur productive discussions.

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Accelerating Opportunity is a four-year initiative that aims to substantially increase the number of adults earning the credentials and skills they need to get and succeed in family-supporting jobs.

Learn more about Accelerating Opportunity