From Pilot to Practice: Porterville Adult School’s Northstar Journey

Session 4: 4:00pm-5:00pm (Friday March 06, 2026)

 

Description

This 90-minute session highlights Porterville Adult School’s implementation of Northstar Digital Literacy, guided by its DLAC Site Plan, and its growth from a targeted pilot to a school-wide digital literacy system supporting ESL, ABE, ASE, CTE, and cooperative work experience programs. During the 2024–25 school year, PAS introduced Northstar as a computer assessment for incoming CTE students and expanded it as a universal screener. Teachers and orientation staff collaborated to administer assessments, analyze data, and identify the need for explicit digital literacy instruction. Post-test certification at the 85% mastery level informed instructional adjustments and confirmed skill growth. Northstar was also integrated into Intermediate and Advanced ESL, aligned with COAAPs, and embedded into cooperative work experiences, where teachers observed gains in workplace technology skills and student confidence.

Presenters

Lead Presenter Bio Photo

Jeff Bochat

Porterville Adult School

I have been a teacher for 22 years with the last 4 in Adult Ed. I have taught every grade except 2nd grade, including High School. I have a few years of conference presentation experience, althogh, not my favorite thing to do. I will be presenting with 2 others as we all speak for the entire school and the diverse cultures and backgrounds.

Lead Presenter Bio Photo

Valerie Craig

Porterville Adult School

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Lead Presenter Bio Photo

Pedro Uribe

Porterville Adult School (ESL, HI-set, HSD)

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Lead Presenter Bio Photo

Denise Douglas

Porterville Adult School

Denise Douglas has over 30 years of experience in education with a focus on Adult Education and instructional technology. She has taught high school and Adult Ed and has trained Adult Education teachers for nearly a decade. Denise is the Assistant Director of Porterville Adult School, oversees instructional technology for Porterville USD, and serves as a CALIE Board Member. She has presented at CUE, TDLS, and Google Summits, supporting equitable, technology-rich learning for lifelong learners.

Type of Presentation

Follow-along Workshop (60 Minutes)

Audience

  • Teachers
  • Administrators

Program Strands

  • Adult Basic Education
  • Adult Secondary Education
  • Adults with Disabilities
  • English as a Second Language
  • Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship
  • Short-term Career Technical Education
  • Workforce Preparation

Category Strands

  • Ensuring Equity and Access
  • Digital Learning Foundations
  • Designing Learning Experiences