I need to clarify the alignment to  the TABE process.  Maybe a better
description would be a comparison of the skills being assessed on the TABE
and the skills we are addressing in our math standard (curriculum
framework).  We did not align our standard TO the TABE, we looked  at the
TABE and we looked at our standard and compared the skills being addressed
by both.  We found that our math standard addressed the skills being
assessed by the TABE but our standard actually covered more than just
skills to raise a TABE score.   We have been emphasizing for many years
that adult education is not just about a TABE score or passing the GED
even though these are very important pieces of what we do.  Adult
education should provide adults with the skills they need to effectively
carry out their roles as family members, citizens, and workers.  This
"alignment" process simply reinforces what we have been suggesting to
teachers and that is, if you teach to the standard, adult learners will
not only be better prepared for life but you get at explicit skill gaps
and TABE scores are likely to increase.  I think many of our teachers
would agree they are beginning to see this happen - especially in math.

We chose the EMPower materials for a couple of reasons.  First, we have
been integrating these materials into our math training for a couple of
years now.  The SIA team felt that due to our time constraints with this
project, the EMPower materials would be the best use of our time and the
end product would be a resource that teachers would find most beneficial. 
We may do this same alignment process with other materials in the future
but time, money, and what would support our work the most at this time was
what we considered first.  Second, these materials are complimentary of
our EFF math standard and were written with adult learners in mind.  There
is not a lot of math material out there that is written specifically for
the adult learner.  Our teachers LOVE the EMPower materials.  


Pam Blundell, Assistant Director
Lifelong Learning Section
Oklahoma State Department of Education
2500 North Lincoln Blvd. Room 115
Oklahoma City, OK 73105-4599
405-521-3321
1-800-405-0355
pam_blundell at sde.state.ok.us