May 27, 2021
Technology in Adult Education
Virtual Conference
On June 7 - 9, the Distance Education Technical Assistance Project will sponsor the first Technology in Adult Education Virtual Conference, featuring three days of sessions addressing many aspects of the use of technology in adult education programming. You can find full conference information, including links to log in to sessions, on the conference page of the PA Adult Education Resources website.

Monday, June 7 Sessions
  • Using CK-12 in Adult Education (9:30 a.m.)
  • Using Technology to Make Learning at a Distance More Effective and Engaging (10:45 a.m.)
  • Building Strong Reading Lessons Using OERs (1:00 p.m.)
  • Tips for Providing Intake and Orientation at a Distance (2:30 p.m.)

Tuesday, June 8 Sessions
  • The Digital Divide of Justice (9:30 a.m.)
  • Technological Support During COVID-19 Examples from Two Pennsylvania Adult Education Programs (10:45 a.m.)
  • Giving Feedback from a Distance (1:00 p.m.)
  • Using Digital Portfolios with Adult Learners to Improve Workforce Preparation Skills (2:30 p.m.)

Wednesday, June 9 Sessions
  • English Now!: Blended ESOL Learning Circles (9:30 a.m.)
  • Differentiating a Digital Literacy Curriculum (10:45 a.m.)
  • Exploring Digital Literacy in the ESL Classroom (1:00 p.m.)
  • Use SkillBlox to Find and Organize Learning Resources (2:30 p.m.)
Teaching Tips and Resources
How to Fight Burnout
This month, Edutopia examined common contributors to teacher burnout and three positive strategies that we can use to fight it. Many of the issues that stress teachers out can be especially problematic due to their consistency and pervasiveness. However, the author discusses how we can use positive coping mechanisms, self-efficacy, and mentorship and support to reduce the feelings of stress we feel.
High School Equivalency (HSE) Updates and Resources
HiSET® Virtual Graduation Celebration
HiSET® will hold a virtual graduation celebration on June 9, 2021, to honor those students who have earned their HiSET® high school equivalency credential this year. Learn more details and RSVP for this event on the HiSET® Facebook® page.
Professional Development Opportunities
Teaching the Skills That Matter in Adult Education Virtual Conference
The 2021 Teaching the Skills That Matter in Adult Education (TSTM) Virtual Conference is a two-day online conference where you can engage with colleagues from across the country and hear talks from nationally known adult education experts. This conference is free to participants. Learn more and register online.
Innovative Remote ESOL Program Models and Promising Practices
World Education will present a webinar on Friday, June 18, at 1:00 p.m. that will discuss ways that ESOL programs can be successful with remote learning. They have collected examples of innovative models, strategies, and resources for remote adult ESOL instruction and will share them in this webinar titled "Innovative Remote ESOL Program Models and Promising Practices." You can register online.
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.
End-of-Year Conversations Solidify Teachers' Learning
With all of the lessons we have learned this year, personally and professionally, this time before summer can be a crucial time to capture that knowledge. Edutopia's recent article discusses this from a K-12 perspective that can easily apply to adult education. If you are interested in creating a beneficial conversation among your agency's teachers, check out the suggestions that the author presents.
COABE Journal Spring 2021: Workforce Part 2 Edition
The COABE Journal for the Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE) is available. It is the second part of the Workforce Edition. You can purchase it online or in hardcopy.
State and National Adult Education News
Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
The FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit program is now available to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. This new benefit will connect eligible households to jobs, virtual classrooms, critical healthcare services, and much more. The Emergency Broadband Benefit will provide a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price. Read more...
COABE to Run Google Ads with "Move Ahead With Adult Ed" Program
Throughout the next year, COABE will be running Google ads to help adult learners connect with adult education programs. Sign up online to be sure that your agency is included.
Conference Review: 2021 PAACE Virtual Conference
During the week of April 19, staff from the Workforce Development Liaison Project attended and presented at the 2021 Pennsylvania Association for Adult Continuing Education (PAACE) Virtual Conference. Although the conference focused on the words innovation, imagination, creativity, and collaboration, there was another word that came up often - leadership. Keynote speaker, Tony Moore, reminded participants that “everyone is in a leadership role at some point in their life." Sheila Ireland discussed changes that are happening in the workforce and how some individuals (both leaders and followers) are not ready for those changes. Additionally, KayLynn Hamilton and Chrissie Klinger led a session titled What is your Leadership Style and How does it Affect your Work?  This session explored how leadership styles affect how we deal with different situations and adjust to change. Susan Clauser from Keystone Opportunity Center had this to say about the session: “In addition to Keystone staff who attended live, others have watched the recording. I asked our staff send to our IHPDS a reflection email on sessions attended and yours was definitely one of the favorites! I’ve gotten really positive feedback. Everyone, no matter what their role at the agency, was able reflect on the leadership styles and how they are useful in different situations--for work, for family, and even for dogs.” All PAACE sessions and keynote presentations were recorded and available for playback for one year. KayLynn (klh267@psu.edu) and Chrissie (cok5111@psu.edu) are also able to provide technical assistance and customized activities for adult education program staff around leadership styles and decision-making.
Grants and Scholarships
Voxy EnGen® Grants Are Available Through the Write Her Future Institute
In partnership with Lancôme USA, ProLiteracy is providing free access to Voxy EnGen®, a personalized, mobile English language learning platform. Through the Write Her Future Institute, adult education programs can apply for free one-year Voxy EnGen® licenses for female English language learners. ProLiteracy is committed to assisting adult literacy programs in any way possible. The Voxy EnGen® mobile learning platform provides support for grammar, listening, reading, vocabulary, and writing instruction. Additional features include navigational text in 14 languages, word banks, grammar guide, flashcards, and pronunciation practice.
Funding Opportunity: Citizenship and Integration Grant Program
USCIS is now accepting applications for two funding awards under the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program. This program will provide up to $10 million in competitive grants to immigrant-serving organizations that provide citizenship instruction and civic integration services to lawful permanent residents. The two funding awards are "Citizenship Instruction and Naturalization Application Services" and "Refugee and Asylee Integration Services Program." Learn more...
Job Posting
The job postings below are for adult basic education programs funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and, at least in part, by WIOA Title II funds. You can also find the postings on the paadultedresources.org website. To post a job, please email the job advertisement to dschauer@tiu11.org

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. 

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

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

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

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.