Four Grant Programs Successfully Clear Florida Department of Education Monitoring Review

Florida State College at Jacksonville hosted a week-long Florida Department of Education (FDOE) Monitoring review of four entitlement grants:

• Adult General Education
• Carl D. Perkins, Career and Technical Education, Rural and Sparsely Populated Areas Career and Technical Education Programs
• Carl D. Perkins, Career and Technical Education Postsecondary Programs, Section 132
• English Literacy and Civics Education

The College received nearly $9 million over the past three years for these programs. The grants cover two areas: adult education and career and technical education.

The monitoring visit was conducted November 17–21 and the visiting team was composed of Dr. Shahrokh Massoudi, Ms. Donna Waller and Mr. Tashi Williams from the Florida Department of Education in Tallahassee. During the week the team visited classrooms, checked inventory, sat in on advisory meetings, examined records, reviewed our website, visited satellite programs and even purchased campus services including lunch at the Mallard Room and a haircut from one of our Cosmetology students. The cosmetology student who cut Dr. Massoudi’s hair said he was grateful for the program and praised his instructors saying he was getting a great education for the cost of the course.

At the conclusion of the visit, the team reported a “clean review with no findings and no concerns”—way to go FSCJ.

Some of the highlights of the final report to the whole team included the following observations:

• Strong advisory committees, well attended and organized
• Inventory seamless and well documented
• Collaboration was evident and they cited the College-Nassau schools partnership as a prime example
• Hands-on learning with appropriate materials was evident
• Students complimented their administrators, instructors and counselors
• Collaboration between Adult Education and Sulzbacher Homeless Center, the JSO correctional centers, and Duval County schools to provide educational opportunities was noted with high praise – “This is what we do” said Massoudi
• Leadership and civic engagement opportunities for Adult Education students through the Adult Education Club (one of its kind in the state)
• Compassion and exemplary qualifications of the faculty and staff working with both the CTE and Adult Education students
• Students interviewed were thankful to have the funding that allows them to gain an education
• Students appreciative of individualized attention and support in securing job opportunities
• Excellent assessment processes and systems

Although there were many people involved from administrative leaders to faculty to students, with activities occurring from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, a special thanks goes to the leaders of the four programs: Dr. Sandy Robinson (Perkins Rural), Dr. Patty Adeeb and Deana Waite (Adult Education), Rosemary James (Perkins 132), and Ashli Totty (EL Civics); their dedication, passion and absolute professionalism made this visit highly successful.

The visit was orchestrated by the College’s grant team: Dr. Phyl Renninger, Jennifer Peterson, Sarah Reardon and Patti Williams.