Verizon Links Virginia for Literacy: James Madison University

James Madison University - JMU
Workforce Improvement Network

Project Objectives:

Working with economic development, employers and adult education service providers in the Shenandoah Valley by:

Identifying current and projected worker employment skills training needs, focusing on technology and basic skills.
Building a collaborative web-linked delivery system to assist employers and employees in accessing skills training.
Developing web-based curricula to prepare adult educators in providing technology and basic skills services in the workplace.
Linking adults in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, Virginia with the skills they need for employment, by providing state-of-the-art computer equipment and teacher training.
Conducting an impact study of Fairfield Language Technologies' Rosetta Stone Multi-Media language acquisition program on English as a Second Language learner accomplishment.
Creating a Coordinated Workforce Development Resources Project to pilot a process for individuals to access services easily through multi-agency collaboration.

	As part of the JMU/Verizon Links Virginia for Literacy project, the Workforce Development Learning Skills Center was created which includes 16 computer workstations, a data projector & screen for instruction, headphones, and printers in a larger room on the main floor of the Dayton Learning Center.
Several adult educators were instructed at Massanutten Technical Center on the Workforce Education Learning Activities Bank and using the Internet, as part of the JMU/Verizon Links project.

"As the education level of adults improves, so does their children's success in school. Helping low-literate adults improve their basic skills has a direct and measurable impact on both the education and quality of life of their children."

National Institute for Literacy

As a record of James Madison University's work on the Verizon Links Virginia for Literacy project, an electronic Case Study has been created. The case, "Upgrading Workforce Skills in a Tight Labor Market: Enhancing Adult Basic and Computer Education," chronicles the efforts of James Madison University and four Adult Education Providers in Harrisonburg City and Rockingham County, Virginia, who partner with local and statewide businesses to provide opportunities to upgrade workforce basic and computer skills. Other issues examined include collaboration between partnering agencies and the personal issues that influence learner participation.

JMU case study

Contact Information:

James Madison University
Workforce Improvement Network
Diane Foucar-Szocki, Director
Phone: (540) 568-2930
Toll Free: 888-637-8494
Fax: (540) 568-2933
foucardl@jmu.edu

GMU, JMU, Old Dominion University, and VCU are equal opportunity/affirmative action institutions and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age or disability.