I would like to thank Shannie for being patient. She has been waiting for the diversity discussion to officially end before this post was released! So now, I would like to invite people to follow Shannie's lead and shift gears and think about attendance issues. I know that this is something that we all struggle with. Shannie raises an important point. For many of our learners, even when babysitting and transportation are provided, they have attendance difficulties. Since this list focuses on diversity issues, and Shannie's program is specifically one that focuses on women, I am wondering if people have thoughts/experiences about the following:

1. What obstacles may still exist for women who want to attend educational programs, over and beyond transportation and day care?
2. Do poverty and race intersect with gender when it comes to these obstacles?
3. What types of strategies would you recommend to help Shannie? Have you tried or heard of ways to successfully increase attendance?
4. Anything else that Shannie's post sparks for you that you would like to share with us?
Daphne


>>> Shoshanah Dean Hilmer <wcjshannie at hotmail.com> 02/18/08 1:33 PM >>>


I would like to pose a question for the group to see if I can get ideas on how to improve program attendance.  How do you increase adult learner program attendance short of charging (which I'd like to do, but then the learners won't come)?  We offer a program that is for women 18 and above.  We offer a secure environment, free babysitting and transportation.  Really the issue boils down to the fact that learning literacy skills is hard work and many of our students are surviving (some just barely) and the the commitment to learning is too much for them.  We offer self esteem classes and a motivation class.  Does anyone else have suggestions on how to increase motivation and attendance?
 
Thanks,
Shannie
 
_________________________________________________________________
Helping your favorite cause is as easy as instant messaging. You IM, we give.
http://im.live.com/Messenger/IM/Home/?source=text_hotmail_join