State board of community colleges meets at Big Bend
Washington hailed as leading the way in community college programs
MOSES LAKE — The future of Adult Basic Education and English as a Second Language programs were the focus of the first in a series of two day-long meetings Wednesday of The Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.
The nine members who make up the SBCTC are meeting at Big Bend Community College this week as part of the board's regularly scheduled meetings held throughout the year.
The SBCTC is responsible for overseeing the operation of the state's community and technical colleges. Its members are approved by the governor.
Cyrus Driver, deputy director with the Ford Foundation, headed off Wednesday's meeting and addressed the board and BBCC administration on what is known as the Bridges to Opportunity Initiative.
The initiative is being spearheaded by the Ford Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides funding to a variety of organizations in disadvantaged communities.
During his presentation, Driver outlined the objectives of the initiative, which include researching barriers many low income students face such as access to specific programs and financial aid resources, and aligning state and local policies to resolve those barriers.
Washington is currently one of six states receiving funding from the Ford Foundation to make new policy changes to improve opportunities available to working age adults and low income populations.
Driver commended Washington for its progress in developing its community college programs, calling the state a leader in making necessary changes to meet a wider range of student needs.
David Prince, senior research manager with the SBCTC, continued with a presentation on the implications of the initiative.
Prince called for more public awareness and a re-design of services in order to reach working age adults between 25 and 49 years of age.
One-third of working age adults have a high school education or less and the focus should be on getting them at least a year of college credit and a certificate in an accredited area of study, Prince said.
"Education is an economic engine," he added.
As for the 2005 budget for community colleges in the state, Chris Reykdal, operation budget director with SBCTC, commented after the first half of the meeting that state and federal allocations for Adult Basic Education and ESL programs appear to be steady.
Funding has been consistent in the last few years as there has not been a huge increase or decrease in student enrollment across the state, Reykdal said.
Reykdal estimates there is approximately $85 million in funding available in the state for Adult Basic Education and ESL programs for 2005, $9 million of which are federal dollars.
Towards the close of the meeting, BBCC President Bill Bonaudi said he thought Wednesday's presentations showed the leadership present within the state's community college programs and the reputation they have with national organizations such as the Ford Foundation.
Bonaudi added that he is confident the SBCTC will continue to move closer in addressing the needs of working age adults and low income populations.
"They show a direct relation between education and employment opportunities," Bonaudi said of the presentations made.