June 24, 2019
Conference Reviews: NAWDP & PAWDA
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In May, Chrissie Klinger, Workforce Development Project staff, attended the National Association for Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) conference in San Antonio, TX, and the Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association (PAWDA) conference in Hershey, PA. Both conferences shed light on how the low unemployment rate, large number of retirees, and worker shortage are creating opportunities for adults who typically have been overlooked by employers in the past. Adults with criminal records, English language learners, and individuals with low socioeconomic status are sometimes the hardest to serve in adult education. Both conferences provided promising practices to help individuals transition to short-term training or entry-level employment that could lead to jobs that pay family-sustaining wages.

Darrell “Coach D” Andrews spoke at both conferences and shared his story of growing up in poverty and watching his single mother of two work through various barriers to obtain her high school equivalency diploma and eventually obtain self-sustaining employment in the airline industry. Her perseverance in pursuing educational opportunities created a chain reaction for generations to come. Andrews went on to obtain a college degree and currently has two children enrolled in college. Andrews emphasized the importance of multiple workforce partners (adult education, human services, employment-search services, and non-profit organizations) collaborating and strategically using resources to help individuals move out of poverty.   Read more...
Teaching Tips and Resources
Free posters of STEM women
Not every student is going to go into a STEM field, but every teacher wants a classroom that is attractive, welcoming, and inspiring. Edutopia recently shared a few resources that offer well-designed and free posters of women who have worked in and made a difference through the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
Tips for Allowing Test Retakes
Edutopia recently shared an article titled Tips for Allowing Test Retakes . Knowing what is best when a student or class does not do as well as expected on an assessment can be very challenging, but handling it well can not only save the assessment but also continue and strengthen the learning process.
Power in Numbers video series with discussion guide
LINCS recently shared information about a video series from Power in Numbers, an OCTAE initiative which aims to increase math skills in adult learners. This video series, available in English and Spanish, shares the experiences of three adults who overcame common challenges on their way to earning their high school equivalency degrees. Through viewing these videos and using the accompanying classroom guide, you can illustrate for your students how they, too, can surmount their challenges and reach success.
HiSET® piloting a Study Aid and Reading Assessment
You can use the new Study Aid and Reading Assessment (SARA) fro m HiSET® for free. This online resource is being piloted through 2020 and is meant to allow educators to assess the basic reading skills of adult students. Participation in the pilot of SARA will give you insight into your students' abilities and needs and will give your students a choice of either one free HiSET® subtest voucher or a $10 Amazon® virtual gift card. Learn more about the SARA pilot program .
Professional Development Opportunities
Google Applied Digital Skills Boot Camp in PA
On March 31, 2020, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., there will be a Google Applied Digital Skills Boot Camp at the Marriott Convention Center in Lancaster, PA. This coincides with the end of the 2020 PAACE Conference. This intensive and hands-on three-hour training will prepare you to use Google Applied Digital Skills curriculum in your classroom to deliver the real-world and necessary skills to your students. Register online .
2019 HiSET ® Program/Iowa Adult Education and Literacy Summer Conference
On July 15-17, th e HiSET® Program will be partnering with Iowa Adult Education and Literacy to hold a summer conference in Des Moines, Iowa. Sessions will be focused on testing administrators and educators in adult education, though anyone in the fields of adult literacy or workforce initiatives is also encouraged to attend.
Webinar: Fostering Metacognitive Skills and Critical Thinking in Your Classroom
Metacognition is when we think about how we think, or when we learn how to learn better. These skills are important for all students but especially those with learning difficulties. COABE will co-host a webinar, Fostering Metacognitive Skills and Critical Thinking in Your Classroom at 2:00-3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 25. Topics will include metacognitive strategies and classroom activities and lessons to build your students' critical thinking skills. Register online .
2019 Families Learning Conference keynote speaker
Dr. Karen Mapp will be featured as the keynote speaker at the November 4-6, 2019, Families Learning Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. In her keynote speech, Dr. Mapp will discuss the Dual Capacity Framework for Family-School Partnerships, a tool which she has developed in collaboration with the United States Department of Education in her capacity as Harvard Graduate School of Education lecturer and faculty director of the Education Policy and Management Master's Program.
State and National Adult Education News
Resources added to PA Adult Education Resources website
The PA Adult Education Resources website has added new resources for trained TABE 11&12, CASAS, and BEST test administrators. Resources include links to additional TABE 11&12 training, a link to the CASAS competencies, and an FAQ document for BEST Plus 2.0 and BEST Literacy. You can access these and other assessment resources at paadultedresources.org . If you are not a trained test administrator, go to the  PD Portal  for professional development offerings in assessment.
IELCE Event
The end of the year Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education (IELCE) event was held on May 30, 2019, in Malvern, PA. 
Hanna Schlosser talks with IELCE program staff about integrated instruction.
IELCE teams discussing receptive skill building through integrated instruction.
COABE Journal: Prison Literacy Edition
The Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE) has released their latest Journal edition focused on the theme of prison literacy. The articles found in this edition of the COABE Journal highlight programs, practices, and professionals who serve adults either currently or formerly in the nation's correctional system and help them to transition to outside life.
LINCS accounts to include digital badges
The discussion board posts, comments, and profiles on LINCS will soon show digital badges for members who achieve certain milestones such as posting their first post or 100th comment. These colorful badges will automatically appear as you reach new milestones.
Job Posting
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] . 

PA Adult Education Resources
Upcoming State and National Conferences
State and National Newsletters
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. 

OCTAE Connection, US Department of Education, Office of Career, Technical, & Adult Education. Features news and resources for adult basic, career, and technical 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, EdTech Center, National College Transitional network, and many others

Families Learning: News of the Week, National Center for Families Learning .
Features information and resources for family literacy, early childhood education, and parent education

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

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