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Resources on Learner Persistence

• Beyond the GED: Making Conscious Choices About the GED and Your Future, a set of materials for GED teachers, is now available from NCSALL. Written by GED teacher Sara Fass and Focus on Basics editor Barbara Garner, and piloted by Sara in her class, the materials consist of three units: "The Labor Market," "Pursuing Higher Education, "and "What the Research Tells Us." (Program staff may want to use the unit "What the Research Tells Us," which synthesizes research on the economic impact of the GED, as a starting point for discussions in a staff meeting.) Lesson plans, reading materials, and handouts are provided.

To order a copy, send a request with a check for $5 to cover photocopying and mailing to Sam Gordenstein, World Education, 44 Farnsworth Street, Boston, MA 02210-1211. Please include contact information such as phone number or e-mail address. We hope to make it available on the web in the future and will announce its availability in Focus on Basics.

Resources on Impact of the GED

Persistence Among Adult Basic Education Students in Pre-GED Classes by John Comings, Lisa Soricone, and Andrea Parrella, NCSALL Report #12, is available for $10 from Sam Gordenstein, World Education, 44 Farnsworth Street, Boston, MA 02210-1211. Please include contact information such as phone number or e-mail address.

The following publications on the topic of learner motivation and persistence can now be reviewed, in draft form, at your State Literacy Resource Center.

• NCSALL Study Circle Guide: Learner Persistence in Adult Basic Education
  
• NCSALL Staff Development on Learner Motivation, Retention and Persistence: Strategies Packet
  
• NCSALL Training on Learner Motivation, Retention and Persistence: Facilitator's Guide
  
• NCSALL Mentor Teacher Group on Learner Motivation, Retention and Persistence: Facilitator's Guide
  
  

These publications will be available for purchase from NCSALL by February 2001. The exact publication dates will be posted in an upcoming issue of Focus on Basics.

• Volume 2, Issue A, March 1998, of Focus on Basics was devoted to learner motivation. It can be downloaded from the NCSALL web site at gseweb.harvard.edu/~ncsall. To order a printed copy, send a request with a check for $2 to Mark Holmes, World Education, 44 Farnsworth Street, Boston, MA 02210-1211. Please include contact information such as phone number or e-mail address.
  
  

NCSALL Report Available

• Another new NCSALL Report, #11, has been published. Changes in Learners' Lives One Year After Enrollment in Literacy Programs by Mary Beth Bingman, Olga Ebert, and Michael Smith is available for $10 from Sam Gordenstein, World Education, 44 Farnsworth Street, Boston, MA 02210-1211. Please include contact information such as phone number or e-mail address.