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For Immediate Release February 2, 2009

Contact:  Michael Chaney, Chief Communications Officer, Ohio Board of Regents

Office: 614-752-9480    Cell: 614-633-5909

Email: mchaney@regents.state.oh.us

Chancellor Seeks Proposals to Expand Ohio Education Network That Puts Adults on Path to College Degrees 

COLUMBUS – Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor Eric D. Fingerhut today announced the availability of state and federal funds for the provision of adult basic and literacy education services. Two requests for proposals (RFPs) were issued seeking bids from local education agencies and public and private nonprofit agencies including community-based organizations, volunteer literacy organizations, institutions of higher education, libraries, public housing authorities, and other nonprofit agencies. The intent of the RFPs is to establish a network of adult literacy providers to offer adults a variety of options to pursue basic skills, English language acquisition, General Educational Development (GED) preparation, post-secondary education and education related to employment. The Chancellor wants to offer classes on and off college campuses and in a variety of formats, including distance learning.

“In order for Ohio to compete with leading states and nations, we must continuously improve the educational attainment level of Ohio’s workforce,” said Chancellor Fingerhut. “With the transfer of the adult workforce education and training network to the University System of Ohio, ABLE programs play a key role in providing a network of adult education programs focused on helping adults become college ready. This competitive grant process ensures that adults will have access to programs in a wider range of locations, offering alternative paths to college.”

Adult Basic and Literacy Education (ABLE) Instructional Grant

The ABLE Instructional Grant established programs that will assist adults to develop literacy skills necessary for employment and self-sufficiency; obtain educational skills necessary to become full partners in the educational development of their children; and to provide educational skills necessary for completion of a secondary level of education.

English Literacy and Civics (EL/Civics) Education Grant

The primary purpose of the EL/Civics Education Grant is to provide limited English proficient adults with English literacy education that integrates civics instruction on understanding and navigating American government and public education systems, the workplace and other key American institutions. 

Timeline

The ABLE Instructional Grant RFP and English Literacy and Civics Education Grant RFP require that all proposals be submitted by 5 p.m., Friday, April 17, 2009, in order to be considered for funding.

The RFPs will be discussed during “Bidders Videoconferences” on February 6 and February 13, 2009, at various County Department of Job and Family Service offices throughout the state. Potential providers from Allen through Lake counties can join the call from 9-11:30 a.m. and those from Lawrence through Wyandot counties from 1-3:30 p.m. on either date. The Bidders Videoconferences provide an opportunity to review and discuss the RFPs, as well as provide proposing agencies and organizations the chance to ask questions about the RFPs and process.

Additional information about the RFPs, as well as information on how to register for the Bidders Videoconferences can be found at www.uso.edu/network/workforce/rfps.

Information on Ohio’s 116 currently funded ABLE programs, as part of the state’s University System of Ohio, can be found at http://www.uso.edu/network/workforce/index.php.

About the Ohio Adult Basic and Literacy Education (ABLE) program

The Ohio Adult Basic and Literacy Education (ABLE) programs, along with the Adult Workforce Education Centers, transferred from the Ohio Department of Education to the Ohio Board of Regents on January 1, 2009. They are an integral part of the University System of Ohio, which consists of 14 universities, 24 regional branch campuses, 23 community colleges and now more than 200 adult workforce centers and ABLE programs. This integration will allow the development of an efficient system for adult students who enter the University System of Ohio.

A downloadable PDF of this RFP is available under the documents tab.