February 22, 2018
Violence in the Adult Education Classroom
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2018 has already proven to be a heart-breaking year with violence in too many of America's schools and classrooms. Within the adult education classroom, this raises several questions or issues. While you should always have a plan within your agency for dealing with certain situations that might arise, the following resources might be helpful as you think through these questions.

How can our adult students who are parents talk with their children about school violence? In response to the recent shooting in Florida, the New York Times Lesson Plans blog shared ideas for how K-12 teachers can address school shootings with their students. Many of these same principles outlined for the classroom can work well in the home. A previous NYT article also addresses these issues of helping kids deal with these events. "First, find out what they have heard." If they are frightened, listen to them and find out exactly what they fear. Listening is the central feature of much of this advice. Scholastic also offers advice aimed for teachers, but the brief points also work well for parents.

How can we, as teachers, help and support our students who have experienced trauma in their lives? A 2014 Atlantic article, How Teachers Help Students Who've Survived Trauma , states that " One in every four students currently sitting in American classrooms have experienced a traumatic event." It is easy to imagine the proportion being similar or higher for those sitting in adult education classrooms. As is often the case, this article focuses on younger students, but the principles are sound for adult education as well. Prioritize relationships. Listen. Create opportunities to be successful. Have a routine. Even the advice of incorporating downtime can be an effective way to keep people at their best in an adult class time that can be hours long.

How can we ensure that our classroom is a safe environment for everyone? As adult educators, we pride ourselves on meeting our students where they are. But sometimes "where they are" includes challenges at home and in the classroom. And sometimes, no matter how gently you phrase your constructive criticism, tension could arise. An online post from Concordia University-Portland shares four strategies for conflict resolution. "Listening" makes yet another list, but there is another suggestion that is familiar for many adult educators: writing. Having students break from a conflict to write about it can serve as both a cooling-off period and a time of reflection. And of course, writing practice is always a plus.

Perhaps you have tried to learn a foreign language and have been frustrated by the challenge and the slowness of your learning. That is not very different than the frustration experienced by many adult learners. And frustration can lead to negative behavior. That is why an online video from a TESOL France instructor can be relevant to the management of our classrooms as well. Titled Ruling the Unruly: Classroom management and solutions for higher and adult education , this video addresses many of the challenges that face the adult educator: classroom management challenges such as non-participation, low motivation, sleeping, phones, and interpersonal conflict. It includes a discussion of the causes of unwelcome classroom behavior and how those causes can be addressed honestly and openly, and it ends with "survival tips."

For those near the Philadelphia area, the Office of Adult Education will hold a workshop titled Educating After Violence: Trauma-Informed Practices for Adult Educators on Friday March 9, 9:30AM-12:30PM. This workshop will help participants understand both the causes of students disruptive behavior and available solutions.

We all want our students to feel respected, valued, and safe as they learn. With some work and preparation, you can achieve this goal that will allow them to achieve theirs.
Teaching Tips and Resources
African American History Month resources
As African American History month continues, many adult education teachers make time to focus some lessons on this important facet of American history. Senior curriculum writer at CommonLit.org, Koye Oyadeji has shared 10 Reading Passages Celebrating African Americans . This short collection includes poetry, fiction, and non-fiction texts of varying grade levels. The site is free but sometimes requires registration. Thank you to Susan Finn Miller who shared this resource through LINCS.
Three Assumptions Teachers Should Avoid
As a teacher in adult education, you can have good days and bad days. On a bad day, you can find yourself making tempting assumptions that lead to unhelpful conclusions. Edutopia recently posted an article, 3 Assumptions Teachers Should Avoid , that sheds light on these assumptions that we make about ourselves, our teaching, and our students.
ECareer maps
ECareer maps are a great resource when working with adult learners to set career goals. The 20 Ways to Use Career Pathway Maps document can be used by case managers and teachers to support career awareness, career exploration, and career goal setting with adult learners. For more guidance on career maps or regional focus sector occupations, contact the Workforce Development Project at [email protected]   or  (814) 865-5877 .
High School Equivalency (HSE) Updates and Resources
New video available with tips on managing test anxiety
Kaplan Test Prep has made a free 5-minute video available for teachers to use with students as they prepare fo r the GED® test, though the information can apply to HiSET® exam takers as well. This video can be downloaded to be viewed online for use in class or for students to watch on their own as they manage the anxiety of test taking. More short video segments from Kaplan Test Prep will be coming in the future on topics such as Spaced Learning and Goal-Setting and will be found at the same website: gedtestingservice.com/gedlive .
HiSET® advertising and messaging resource templates
In order to help your program promote high school equivalency and your HiSET program in your community, the HiSET® company has shared a set of free downloadable advertising templates, messaging, and resources. You can access these materials on the HiSET® website .
New GED Student Study Guides available
The newly updated GED ® Student Study Guides are now available as printable PDF documents that you can use to prepare your students for these tests. The PDF files are available for download by students through through MyGED ® and GED Manager™. Or you can download them directly here:  Math ,  RLA ,  Science   and  Social Studies .
Professional Development Opportunities
Webinar: Teaching academic writing to adult English learners
With the increased focus on college and career readiness in adult education today, adults learning English need to develop skills to write well academically for academic and professional tasks. This webinar,  Teaching Academic Writing to Adult English Learners , will be held online at 1:00PM on Thursday, March 1. Participants will see an overview of the current place of academic writing in adult education classes and be introduced to ways to incorporate more academic writing activities into classes. The presenters will review the results of a survey, which describe the place and characteristics of the teaching of academic writing currently in classes and give an overview of instructional approaches that teachers can use.  Read more...
"Power in Numbers" Group 2 applications
The Power in Numbers first cohort has completed its work in gathering and curating over 70 open educational resources (OER) for adult math learners. They are now accepting applications for Group 2. User Group 2 is a two-month, paid professional development opportunity for 20 passionate educators to come together and create OER curriculums for the adult education classroom. In this group, you will create and test your own curriculums, work alongside and learn from a diverse group of adult education teachers, and collaborate with experts. Together, you will add to a growing  library  of resources as part of a broader effort to help adult learners excel in applied mathematics. Visit the Power in Numbers page on LINCS to learn more about participating in the second  Power in Numbers user group .
State and National Adult Education News
Webinar on Advocacy
The Coalition on Adult Basic Education is holding a webinar on Wednesday, February 28, 2:00PM, titled Advocacy: Building a Network That Engages Community, Staff, and Students . The presentation will include an overview of the national Educate & Elevate campaign and a discussion of practical ways that adult educators can incorporate advocacy in the classroom and advocate for their students. Resources and examples of advocacy activities will be shared as well. Register for this webinar or learn more online .
Pre-K Counts Applications
The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is seeking applicants for Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts, the statewide program that ensures children an opportunity for high-quality pre-kindergarten education. FY 2017-2018 is the end of a five-year cycle and applications for a new cycle starting in FY 2018-2019 are being accepted. Learn more about the program and the bidding process and submit an application the PAKeys website .
Job Postings
The job postings below are for adult basic education programs that are funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and, at least in part, by WIOA Title II funds. They can also be found on the paadultedresources.org website. To post a job, please email the job advertisement to   [email protected] . 
No jobs are currently posted .
PA Adult Education Resources
Upcoming State and National Conferences
State and National Newsletters
These are state or national organizations' newsletters that may be of interest to you. To receive the most recent editions by email, please subscribe directly to the newsletter. 
 
Families Learning News of the Week,  National Center for Families Learning
Features information and resources for family literacy, early childhood education, and parent education  

GED® In Session, GED Testing Service®
Features news and information related to the GED® test

World Education /U.S.
Features resources and information from World Education projects including The Change Agent, College for Adults, E-Learning, LINCS Region 1 Professional Development Center, National College Transitional network, and many others

Workforce GPS, Workforce3 One  
Features career pathways and workforce development information