Three Resources for Supporting Refugees and Immigrants

The Enhancing Access for Refugees and New Americans (EARN) project recently released three new products to support the integration and inclusion of immigrants and multilingual learners:



• Forming and Sustaining Effective Partnerships for Immigrant Integration and Inclusion: This spotlight describes how to form and sustain effective partnerships with the goal of promoting immigrant integration and inclusion. The spotlight introduces considerations for forming partnerships and examines seven essential elements of sustaining effective partnerships to support immigrant integration and inclusion, particularly in IELCE and other adult education activities. The spotlight includes suggestions for implementing the essential elements and shares examples of how state adult education agencies and adult education programs/IELCE providers have used these strategies.

• Enhancing Access to Workforce Training: A Guide to Supporting Adult English Learners' Participation in Integrated Education and Training: This guide is designed for adult education providers who are already offering IET programming or connections to IET programs. The guide describes the required components of IET, potential barriers for multilingual learners, and, finally, strategies for supporting their participation and success in education and workforce training. The strategies focus on four key topics: program design, partnerships, navigation and advising, and instructional approaches. For each strategy, the guide summarizes actions to take and additional resources to explore.

• Valuing Diverse Cultural Assets in Adult Education: This spotlight provides strategies, resources, and examples that highlight the value and assets diversity and culture bring to adult education. It discusses the impact of culture in education, illustrates essential elements and examples of cultural proficiency, and outlines approaches for applying a culturally responsive lens in the classroom. These inclusive strategies can be used in all adult education programming, including Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education (IELCE), English language acquisition (ELA), and Integrated Education and Training (IET) activities.

Fidget Spinners: What Does the Research Say?

A recent Edutopia article, Do Fidgets Help Students Focus?, gathers research about fidget spinners and other devices that are promoted as attention aids. For the general population, research shows that fidget devices hinder scores not only for the user but even for those nearby; however, for learners with ADHD or other neurocognitive issues, they can have their benefits if used appropriately and limitedly. This article also outlines other alternatives for helping students stay calm and focused.

Families Learning Conference Schedule

The schedule for the November 18-20, 2024, Families Learning Conference is now available. The lineup of planned sessions includes professional development along five content tracks: family engagement, family literacy, family leadership, policy and advocacy, and research and evaluation. Additionally, there will be general sessions that highlight the family stories and keynote speeches from luminaries in the field of family education.

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: National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week

Once a year the entire field of adult education comes together to raise visibility about all the great work that is taking place at the local, state, and national levels. This year's National Adult Education and Family Literacy (AEFL) Week will be September 15-21. COABE had developed a calendar of activities, resources, and so much more! The National Coalition for Literacy also has events and ideas for how you can share in AEFL Week. Teachers, administrators, adult learners, state associations, and partners are invited participate in AEFL Week events to highlight the progress being made in our field.

September is Recovery Month

The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) is celebrating Recovery Month in September. Starting with a kickoff event in Harrisburg, on Thursday, September 12, the month will include planned events such as a screening of the documentary, Our American Family. View the DDAP Recovery Month flyer for event details.

Resources for Rural Areas

Throughout August, WorkforceGPS has focused on rural areas and their successful workforce practices, programs, and services. Visit the WorkforceGPS homepage to discover the resources provided in the Featured Content Section such as:

• Youth Apprenticeship Access and Success in Rural Communities
• Rural Partners Network (RPN)
• Implementing Healthcare Career Pathway Training Programs in Rural Settings

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 PAAER website. To post a job, please email the job advertisement to mjmanfred@tiu11.org. 

• ESL Instructor - United Neighborhood Centers NEPA
• ESL Program Manager - United Neighborhood Centers NEPA
• Adult Evening ESL Instructor - VITA Education Services
• Remote/Hyflex Adult Education Teacher - VITA Education Services
• Director - PSU's Institute for the Study of Adult Literacy and Goodling Institute for Research in Family Literacy

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

• New Adult Assessment Forms
• IET Overview
• Workforce Equity Resources for Women

• ProLiteracy Conference on Adult Education - October 6-9, 2024, Baltimore, MD
• Families Learning Conference - November 18-20, 2024, Louisville, KY
• COABE National Conference - March 30-April 2, 2025, Dallas, TX
• PAACE Conference - April 27-29, 2025, State College, PA

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. 

PA Association for Adult Continuing Education

Features information for adult education partners for advocacy, networking, and professional development.

August 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.

Aug. 23 | Aug. 9 | July 26

COABE Connects, Digital Equity, Coalition on Adult Basic Education

Features national information, resources, and initiatives for adult basic education.

Aug. 23 | Aug 21 | Aug. 16 | Aug. 9 | Aug. 2

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 Transition Network, and many others. 

Aug. 21 | Aug. 15 | Aug. 8 | Aug. 7 | Aug. 2

OCTAE Connection, U.S. Department of Education, Office of Career, Technical, & Adult Education 

Features news and resources for adult basic, career, and technical education.

August Newsletter