Bradenton, FL — 12/12/25

At the Manatee Literacy Council, we are always looking for ways to strengthen how we serve adult learners and ensure our programs are truly making a difference. That work doesn’t just happen in the classroom, it also happens behind the scenes, through thoughtful planning, reflection, and continuous improvement. One of the most meaningful investments we made this year was participating in the Results 1st framework, a capacity-building program designed to help nonprofits better define outcomes, measure progress, and improve impact in sustainable ways.

This is a program our Executive Director, Michelle Desveaux McLean, has been hoping to bring to MLC for the past three years. She recognized early on how transformative the framework could be for strengthening our systems and ensuring our work is driven by clear results, not just good intentions. Thanks to the generosity of the Barancik Foundation, we were finally able to participate fully in Results 1st.

What’s Results 1st?

Results 1st is a structured, hands-on framework that helps nonprofits move beyond activity-based reporting and focus instead on meaningful outcomes for the people they serve. The program supports organizations in clearly defining what success looks like, mapping participant journeys, identifying barriers, and using data to guide decision-making. Rather than requiring complex evaluation systems, Results 1st emphasizes right-sized, practical tools that small and growing nonprofits can realistically use.

What We Did…

Through the Results 1st process, our team concentrated on one core question:

How can learners better define, understand, and work toward their own English-language goals?

Specifically, we:

• Supported learners in setting their own personal English-language goals at the beginning of the quarter

• Helped learners clarify why those goals mattered and what success would look like

• Asked learners to reflect on progress at the end of the quarter

• Used goal reviews to help learners identify what helped, what didn’t, and what they need next

• Shared learner goals and reflections with teachers and staff to better align instruction and support

This work reinforced that learner voice and ownership are central to progress.  Through the Results 1st process, our team focused on strengthening learner-centered goal setting as a core part of our English language programs. We supported learners in setting their own personal English-language goals at the beginning of the quarter, helped them clarify why those goals mattered and what success would look like, and guided them through a structured goal review at the end of the quarter. This process helped learners better understand what steps were needed to achieve their goals and recognize the progress they had made. Learner goals and reflections were also shared with teachers and staff, allowing instruction and support to be more closely aligned with learners’ real-life priorities.

What We Learned:

From this focus, we learned that:

• Many learners had clear motivation but needed help breaking goals into achievable steps

• Reflection helped learners recognize progress they might otherwise overlook

• Teachers valued having clearer insight into learner priorities and real-life needs

• Goal reviews generated rich qualitative data that shows impact beyond test scores

We were able to connect with learners’ personal goals and how they felt about their classes.  We can use this information to help us with developing the programs that learners want to improve their lives and those of their families.

Looking Ahead We Will…

Make Learner Goal-Setting a Standard Practice

Continue goal-setting at the start of each quarter and goal review at the end, across applicable programs.

Strengthen the Link Between Goals and Instruction

Use learner goals more intentionally to:

• Inform lesson planning

• Guide conversation practice

• Identify relevant vocabulary and scenarios

Improve Clarity Around “What It Takes” to Reach Goals

Help learners better understand:

• The effort required (practice time, attendance, use outside class)

• Tools available to them (Ellii, conversation practice, homework supports)

Use Goal Reviews as an Impact Storytelling Tool

Next step: Continue translating and summarizing learner reflections for:

• Board reporting

• Funders

• Community partners

Participation in Results 1st has strengthened our foundation for growth. The systems and tools we developed will continue to guide our work as we expand programs, train volunteers, and report outcomes to funders and partners.  We are deeply grateful to the Barancik Foundation for making this opportunity possible. Their investment allowed us to step back, reflect, and build systems that will improve outcomes for adult learners across Manatee County for years to come.  This experience reinforced what we already believe: lasting impact comes from thoughtful design, continuous learning, and a commitment to doing the work well.