Adult education and family literacy have tremendous value in our nation and our communities. The upcoming Adult Education and Family Literacy (AEFL) Week, September 19-23, is meant to raise public awareness about the need for and value of these services, with the goal of increasing financial and societal support. There are many ways that you can be a supporter and advocate next month for your students and the work that you do. 

• The National Coalition for Literacy has a list of several ways to participate. 
• The Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE) will host an AEFL Week Prep webinar on September 1 at 2:00 p.m. The webinar will explore multiple strategies and tools to prepare students, teachers, and administrators to not only advocate but also to increase awareness of the great work that is being done in our field. Register online. 
• On Monday, September 19, 1:00-2:00 p.m., the Pennsylvania Association for Adult Continuing Education (PAACE) will hold a super heroes-themed networking event online. Join using a super hero Zoom background or wear a super hero shirt. In addition to celebrating all of the super heroes like you that work in adult education, the event will be a chance to network and hear about exciting PAACE events happening this year. Register online. 
• LINCS will host several upcoming events including a speed networking event on September 19. 

Teaching Math Basics

There are certain habits or strategies that you should avoid when teaching math. A recent Edutopia article, "Six Unproductive Ways to Learn Math Basics -- and What to Do Instead," describes some of the mistakes that math teachers commonly make and suggests research-based alternatives. Check out this article to learn some new methods to include in your math instruction this year.

Call for Presenters: Volunteer Tutor and Classroom Aide Webinar Series

Do you have strategies or resources to share with volunteers? Consider presenting as part of the Volunteer Tutor and Classroom Aide webinar series. This series of one-hour live webinars supports volunteers by developing their instructional skills and sharing resources and information. Presenters can be instructors, tutor coordinators, student support coordinators, or others who are able to present on a variety of topics including:

• Teaching strategies for academic topics including reading, writing, math, or ESL.
• Lesson planning skills like selecting objectives and assessments.
• Incorporating technology and digital literacy instruction into lessons.
• Supporting students as they develop non-academic skills needed for their future goals.
• General information and strategies related to instructing adult students.

Webinars are held the second Tuesday of each month at 9:30 a.m., September 2022 - June 2023. Presentations are recorded and posted on our YouTube channel. Information about the webinars is available on the Tutoring page of the PA Adult Education website. If you would like to present a webinar or would like to suggest a topic or presenter, please email Rachel Baron, [email protected], or Lynne Watson, l[email protected]. They are happy to support you in developing your topic idea. Teams of co-presenters are welcome.

COABE National Conference Call for Presentations

COABE will hold its national conference April 2-5, 2023. This hybrid conference will be attended both in person in Atlanta, GA, and online. Presentations, therefore, can be offered either in person only, virtually only, or as a hybrid presentation to reach both in-person and online audiences. Session types can be 75 minutes, 3 hours, or 6 hours. Check online to learn more about how to submit a presentation proposal. The submission deadline is October 15, 2022. 

Professional Learning for Adult Education and Family Literacy Staff

Staff at PDE-funded adult education and family literacy agencies can view a list of upcoming courses now available for enrollment in the PD Portal. For more information about any of these courses, please visit the PD Portal, open the course catalog, and review the syllabus. If you are interested in enrolling in a course, please consult with your in-house professional development specialist (IHPDS) to determine if the course meets your professional learning goals.

Webinar: Navigating Guided Pathways in Basic Education for Adults

This COABE webinar will be held on August 31, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. It will show a successful method of incorporating Guided Pathways into basic adult education programs meant to assist students throughout their time earning their high school completion and preparing them to smoothly transition into college courses. Register online. 

Application: PA Adult Education Equity Committee

The September 2 deadline for applying to become a member of the Pennsylvania Adult Education Equity Committee is this Friday. Are you interested in developing resources and processes that will promote equity and inclusion in adult education? Consider joining this committee. The Pennsylvania Adult Education Equity Committee will support adult education agencies and the Professional Development System in shifting their culture towards one of equity and inclusion. The Professional Learning Opportunities project is looking for five professionals who reflect the diversity of the adult learners we serve and who are able to commit to the following:

• Meet up to two times per month via video conference.
• Dedicate up to 15 hours per month to work within the Pennsylvania Adult Education Equity Committee.
• Assist in developing and/or facilitating professional development opportunities around asset-based and inclusive language and culturally responsive teaching.
• Assist in developing equity audit tools, protocols, and professional development opportunities.

If you would like to submit an application to participate in the Pennsylvania Adult Education Equity Committee, please apply here. Compensation for members is $50 per hour for up to 15 hours per month. Have a copy of your resume available as you will be asked to upload it at the end of the questionnaire. Submit your application by September 2, 2022. Please direct any questions to Maribel Ojeda, [email protected].

Affordable Internet Services for Low-Income Families

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a new federal program that helps low-income households offset the monthly cost of a new or existing internet service and connected devices like a laptop or tablet. Consider sharing this benefit with eligible families and caregivers. You can use the FCC’s outreach toolkit, with resources translated into multiple languages, as well as the U.S. Department of Education’s template forms and letters, to help families navigate the sign-up process. 

The ACP may provide families:

1. Up to $30/month discount for broadband service

2. Up to $75/month discount for households on qualifying tribal lands

3. A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet purchased through a participating provider if the household contributes more than $10 but less than $50 toward the purchase price.

To apply, visit affordableconnectivity.gov or call 1-877-384-2575 to request an application.

Behind Every Employer Podcast

In the Behind Every Employer podcast, hosts Anson Green and Jeffery Abramowitz, COABE Board Secretary, sit down with future-focused employers to discuss innovations that are advancing frontline worker talent. These employers, along with their partners, are challenging the status quo of education and training and delivering scalable solutions. Discussions cover the intersections of adult education, digital resiliency, training innovations, immigration law, and other topics. In the recent Season 1, Episode 6, "Serving Up English and Digital Skills at Taziki's Cafe," discussion focuses on investing in valued immigrant team members and community inclusion. 

COABE Journal Call for Articles

The Spring 2023 edition of the COABE Journal will be focused on the theme "Programs Succeed When Learners Lead." COABE is seeking article submissions focusing on how adult education programs, classrooms, practitioners, and students have developed programming that nurtures learner leadership within the classroom, across the program, and throughout their communities. The submission deadline is October 4, 2022. Learn more online about the types of submissions that are encouraged and how to submit an article. 

Visit www.paadultedresources.org for the latest PA adult education news and resources. Recent additions to the site include:

• Updated CCRS ELA Tools
• Updated CCRS Tools and Resources page
• Updated Reentry Resources for Collaboration
• 22-23 Course Schedule
• PSU Adult Ed Job Postings
• eData Entry Forms for PY 22-23

State and national organizations' newsletters are listed below and may be of interest to you. To receive the most recent editions by email, please subscribe directly to the newsletter. 

Early Childhood Education Recap, PA Office of Child Development and Early Learning Features weekly and monthly news and information relating to early childhood education.

Aug. 29  Aug. 22 Aug. 15 Aug. 1 July 25 July 18  

Families Learning: News of the Week, National Center for Families Learning

Features information and resources for family literacy, early childhood education, and parent education.

Aug. 19 Aug. 5 July 29 July 22  

WorkforceGPS, Workforce3 One Features career pathways and workforce development information.

Aug. 23  Aug. 16 Aug. 9 August Newsletter Aug. 3 July 26  

COABE Connections, Coalition On Adult Basic Education Features national information, resources, and initiatives for adult basic education.

Aug. 26  Aug. 19  Aug. 16 Aug. 12 Aug. 5 July 29 July 22  

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

Aug. 25  Aug. 17 Aug. 10 Aug. 4 July 27 July 20  

OCTAE Connection, US Department of Education, Office of Career, Technical, & Adult Education Features news and resources for adult basic, career, and technical education.

Aug. 9