The Adult General Education (AGE) program in Miami-Dade County is required to follow the performance-based funding guidelines outlined by the Florida Department of Education (FDOE). Performance-based funding is an accountability system with a built-in incentive structure that encourages progress toward certain established goals and performance objectives with periodic measurements of progress.

AGE programs and courses of academic instruction are identified by a course number and summarized for evaluation of learning gains by Literacy Completion Points (LCPs). These LCPs are designated by letters corresponding to specific grade-level equivalencies. Attainment of the prescribed academic or workforce readiness skills qualifies the participant for further basic or career/technical education, and/or employment as denoted by an LCP.

Each LCP represents a learning gain of one Educational Functional Level (EFL) made by an adult student. EFLs were developed by the National Reporting System (NRS) which is required for states that receive federal funds through the Workforce Investment Act.

In order to progress through the adult program LCPs, a student must complete the performance standards listed in the FLDOE Adult Education Program Course Standards, website: http://www.fldoe.org/workforce/dwdframe/ad_frame.asp Progress from level to level is measured using a standardized test for all federally funded programs. For State-funded programs, a progress report is used to document program completion and to track LCPs.

The following methods, approved by State Board of Education Rule 6A-6.014, may be used to document progress for Adult Basic Education (ABE), English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and English Literacy for Career and Technical Education (ELCATE) students (not for career/technical preparatory students). All course completion documentation must be maintained for five years for audit purposes.

Criterion and/or norm-referenced pre, post, and progress tests listed in State Board of Education Rule 6A-6.014, and 6A-10.040, may be used to show progress and/or completion of an LCP.

Progress reports are based on the FLDOE Program Courses Standards for each LCP. Progress through LCPs can be documented by progress reports.

Adult high school and co-enrolled students show progress by demonstrating mastery of course performance standards and by earning credit for course competencies.

General Educational Development (GED) preparation students’ progress through LCPs by passing the subtests of the official GED test. Applied Academics for Adult Education (AAAE) students’ progress through LCPs by attaining the basic skills requirement of their respective career/technical program as measured by one of the five approved tests in State Board of Education Rule 6A-10.040, unless exempted.