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6.1 Describe the use of technology, both in person and at a distance/hybrid learning, to improve student access to programming, enhance the quality of instruction, and lead to improved outcomes for students.
6.1 Describe the use of technology, both in person and at a distance/hybrid learning, to improve student access to programming, enhance the quality of instruction, and lead to improved outcomes for students.
SPCLC member organizations are committed to using classroom technology and distance learning platforms to enhance teaching and learning, serve adult learners more effectively, improve learning outcomes, and advance digital literacy. More and more, students expect to use technology regularly in their classes and to be able to flexibly access programming. During 'Operation Metro Surge' when immigration enforcement was keeping many students away from in-person classes, online classes and distance learning options made it possible for many of those students to continue with their learning even during a stressful and challenging time.
All member organizations provide technology access to staff and students and a wide variety of technologies are in use across the consortium, including desktop computer labs, Computers on Wheels (COWs) laptop carts for classroom use, and classroom sets of iPads or tablets. Additionally, most classrooms have access to projectors, Apple TVs, and/or smartboards. Member agencies have plans to replace aging devices on a regular basis. Wireless internet is available in all classrooms. Multiple agencies have devices available for students to borrow and use while attending online programming. Programs also connect students to free or low cost internet options, and share information about programs like PCs 4 People that have discounts on computers.
Several programs offer synchronous instruction through Zoom or Google Meet. They also utilize various learning management systems, including Google Classroom. HyFlex programming is used on a more limited basis but also fills an important need for flexibility.
SPCLC uses a number of distance learning platforms including: Burlington English, Common Lit, Duolingo, Edmentum, Elli, Khan Academy, MobyMax, MyMathLab, MyEnglishLab, Northstar, ReadTheory, ReadWorks, USA Learns, and Vocabulary.com. During the 2024-2025 school year, 4,200 students used at least one distance learning platform, earning a total of 80,143.5 hours. Students at every ABE and ESL level used DL platforms. Please see section 4.2 for more details about distance and hybrid programming in the consortium.
Teachers at all sites are encouraged to use available technologies to support their learning objectives and to increase their students’ digital literacy skills through integration of Northstar Digital Literacy Standards (NDLS). NDLS are integrated into classes at all levels and many students also complete the NDLS assessments. Between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2025, a total of 1,626 unique learners across SPCLC engaged with the Northstar Digital Literacy online platform. Students earned a total of 5,793 hours learning on the platform and another 3,365 hours taking Northstar assessments. In total, students passed 5,908 assessments, with a pass rate of over 40 percent.
In addition, Hubbs Center offers three tiers of Information Technology (IT) classes. Through these classes, students are able to increase digital literacy skills while also investigating entry-level careers in the IT field.
Improved outcomes from distance learning: Students who do distance learning make more level gains than those who do not. During the 2024-2025 year, 68.3 percent of students who completed some distance learning made a measurable skill gain, compared to 35.9 percent of all students. In part, this may be because students who do some DL had an average of 156 hours during the year, compared to average of 117 hours for all participants. We also know that distance learning platforms let students work at their own pace and fill in knowledge gaps to improve their progress.
Improved outcomes from online instruction: Synchronous online instruction has improved outcomes for students in several ways. First, it has made instruction accessible to students who could not otherwise attend due to childcare, transportation, or health-related challenges. Second, it offers an opportunity for continued study during times of stress, such as earlier this year during "Operation Metro Surge." Third, it provides an opportunity for consistency when in-person options are not feasible. For example, some students attend class in-person during the fall and switch to online during the winter. In the past, they may have just stopped out during the winter months if the weather made it too difficult to attend.
Improved outcomes from integrated technology use in the classroom: While it is hard to quantify, there has been a dramatic improvement in overall digital literacy in SPCLC these last six years, and much of this improvement has come from additional opportunities for digital literacy practice and instruction within the classroom. When programs shut down in 2020, the move to online learning was difficult and many students were left behind. But when programs needed to move some or all of their programming online earlier this year, the transition was much easier: students had email addresses, they understood how to join an online class, and they were able to participate by muting/unmuting, writing in the chat, and joining a breakout room.
6.2 Describe any resources, other than state and federal ABE funding, that are used to support ABE programming. This can include financial resources, such as grant funding or charitable contributions. It can also include coordination with community partners to provide support services such as transportation, counseling or childcare.
6.2 Describe any resources, other than state and federal ABE funding, that are used to support ABE programming. This can include financial resources, such as grant funding or charitable contributions. It can also include coordination with community partners to provide support services such as transportation, counseling or childcare.
In addition to state and federal ABE funding, the partner organizations in this consortium leverage a wide range of government grants and contracts to support their programming. Many organizations receive funding from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, Ramsey County, the City of Saint Paul, and various federal agencies including the U.S. Departments of Labor, Justice, and Homeland Security. Several partners also receive direct appropriations through Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Legacy Fund (CLUES, Hmong Cultural Center), YouthBuild grants (Change Inc.), and specialized grants such as the Cultural and Ethnic Minority Infrastructure Grant from DHS (Change Inc.) and the International Medical Graduates Career Guidance Grant from the Minnesota Department of Health (International Institute of Minnesota). In addition, International Institute is an IEL Civics grantee.
Private foundation and corporate grants also play a significant role in sustaining ABE and wraparound programming. Recurring funders across multiple partner organizations include the Otto Bremer Trust, F.R. Bigelow Foundation, Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, Hardenbergh Foundation, Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation, Hugh J. Andersen Foundation, and Greater Twin Cities United Way. Additional corporate contributors include Wells Fargo, 3M, Target Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, Medtronic Foundation, Ameriprise Financial, and Xcel Energy, among others. CLUES alone reported $3.5 million in private grants in FY2025, while the International Institute of Minnesota publicly recognizes 17 corporate and foundation partners giving $15,000 or more annually.
Community partnerships provide critical non-financial support that extends the reach of ABE programming. SPCLC organizations coordinate with the Minnesota Council of Churches Refugee Services, Ramsey County Public Health, and the City of Saint Paul's Welcoming St. Paul program to connect learners with transportation assistance, childcare, counseling, food support, and housing stabilization services. Neighborhood House operates the largest single-site food shelf in Ramsey County alongside its ABE programs, while MORE Empowerment partners with Keystone Community Services for food access and with faith communities for space and volunteer support. Vietnamese Social Services coordinates with the Minnesota Department of Health for health literacy and community health worker programs, and CLUES operates integrated behavioral health and economic empowerment services alongside its adult education offerings, ensuring that learners have access to the full range of supports needed to succeed. The YWCA offers onsite childcare at Hubbs Center and the TRIO college access program is onsite at Hubbs Center three days a week to help students explore college and career options. Ramsey Country has navigators onsite at several partner organizations one morning a week to help students with services like housing, employment, and transportation. PCs 4 People has partnered with several organizations to give students information about and access to low-cost computers.
SPCLC agencies coordinate with community partners to provide:
Childcare:
The YWCA runs a childcare at Hubbs Center
Literacy Minnesota offered a preschool at their Arlington Hills location
Neighborhood House offers Small Steps childcare, Skills for School preschool classes, and THRIVE Family online and in-home visits.
Transportation:
Several organizations offer TAP cards through Metro Transit, allowing students easy access to reduced fares
Several organizations help to facilitate transportation through Metro Mobility for students who qualify
Hubbs Center partners with Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) to offer transportation for families participating in Family Literacy classes
Counseling:
TRIO offers post-secondary counseling at Hubbs Center
Ramsey County navigators are onsite at Hubbs Center one morning a week
Change, Inc. partners with Metro State University social work interns
International Institute has developed strong relationships with legal providers to assist learners with immigration-related needs
CLUES offers behavioral health services
Several members partnered with organizations such as the Immigrant Law Center and Unidos to offer "Know Your Rights" trainings
Hubbs Center partnered with Sunrise Banks to provide financial literacy counseling to students
Food, housing and basic needs
Neighborhood House has an on-site food shelf
MORE provides food and clothing through their basic needs program
Canasta Familiar is a free food distribution program held every Monday at the CLUES St. Paul office and every Wednesday at the CLUES Minneapolis office
Ramsey County navigators are on-site at Hubbs Center one morning a week
Several organizations partnered with local food shelves to connect students to food support during "Operation Metro Surge"
Hubbs Center partnered with Isuroon, a Somali women's organization, to provide culturally-specific food support
Documents
Documents
Attached are some representative plans from individual member agencies. Because each member has different needs and capacities, we did not create a uniform plan for the consortium as a whole.
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