Using Online Forms for Job Prep and to Make Your Life Easier

We all must complete online forms. Everything from opening a bank account to returning an Amazon package involves answering questions in some type of form. It is part of modern life, and increasingly, it is part of the modern workplace. Getting a job includes the completion of forms (e.g., application, clearances) and many employers use various online forms to collect information from employees.

The use of online forms should be part of adult education for these reasons but also because it can streamline and enhance our teaching or tutoring. Students can fill out a "get-to-know-you" questionnaire when they first join a class. Adult educators can use forms to design their own quizzes and exit tickets to provide formative assessment data to help them plan to move forward with a student. Online forms can be used to gather myriad types of information for lots of different uses.

A recent Edutopia article, Make the Most of Google or Microsoft Forms, gives many detailed uses for online forms and makes the argument that the Google and Microsoft versions of Forms are both ubiquitous and flexible enough to be relied upon for almost any need. The author suggests many specific ways that forms can collect useful information. Perhaps these examples can inspire you to use online forms to benefit you and your students.

TABE Standards Validation: Application for Participation

On October 28-29, 2025, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EST, Data Recognition Corporation (DRC) will host a standards validation workshop that will bring together adult education professionals from across the country to help review the performance standards for TABE 13 & 14. DRC is actively accepting applications from adult education subject matter experts that wish to participate in this important and exciting workshop. Please visit the website to learn more about participating in the TABE Standards Validation process and attending an informational online workshop overviewing the entire process. If you have questions, email DRC_MeetingPlanning@DataRecognitionCorp.com.

Attention Professionals Working with English as a Second Language (ESL) Learners

The Professional Development System is excited to host the third ESL Community of Practice Meeting on Wednesday, September 10, 1:00-2:30 p.m. This session is open to all professionals supporting ESL learners and will focus on new resources that are available to use with your learners to help them succeed academically and professionally. We will also invite discussion about future topics based on your input. You can register for this event online. We look forward to seeing you! 

Webinar: CareerOneStop for Justice-Impacted Job Seekers

CareerOneStop is a website that provides tools, resources, and information to help users explore careers, make education and training decisions, search for jobs locally or nationally, and find local assistance including their closest American Job Center. A webinar on Thursday, September 25, 2:00-3:30 p.m., will provide participants with an overview of the tools, curricula, and job search features on CareerOneStop that focus on justice-impacted individuals. You can register online.

Book Launch of Family and Intergenerational Literacy and Learning: International Perspectives

Join Penn State's College of Education community in a conversation about Dr. Esther Prins and Dr. Rakhat Zholdoshalieva’s new edited book, Family and Intergenerational Literacy and Learning: International Perspectives (2025, UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning). This book is the first to focus on family and intergenerational literacy and learning in low- or middle-income, non-Anglophone countries. The 20 chapters cover 5 continents and 15 countries, from Argentina to Uganda. Enjoy a Q&A with the editors and selected chapter authors, learning how family and intergenerational literacy and learning are practiced around the world and discussed in theory, policy, and practice. Refreshments will be served, and free book copies will be available. You can join via Zoom (password: 925693) on Thursday, September 18, 12:00-1:30 p.m.

Are You on FinishYourDiploma.org's Search Tool?

The Ad Council and Dollar General Literacy Foundation are marking 15 years of empowering adults to complete their high school equivalency (HSE) with a new national campaign. It encourages adult learners to use FinishYourDiploma.org's zip code search to find local classes to advance their educational journey and goals. Over the last 15 years, the campaign has helped 2.18 million people connect with local education centers. Is your agency included? The search tool draws from the National Literacy Directory. Use the search to quickly determine if your agency is included in the directory. If it is not, you can request a program manager account. New public service advertisements share the accomplishments of this 15-year-old program and highlight the success story of Elizabeth, who earned her HSE at age 38 through her local adult education center.

Adult Education and Family Literacy Week: September 14-20

There are many ways to celebrate Adult Education and Family Literacy (AEFL) Week September 14-20. A recent PAAER email listed ideas for sharing success stories, building interest and excitement about adult education's benefits and possibilities, and collaborating with partners to build on your successes. Even more ideas can be found on COABE's AEFL Week 2025 Spark Sheet and the COABE website. 

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. 

• Adult Evening ESL Instructor - Vita Education Services

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

• UDL and Learning Differences
• Bill of Rights Line of Inquiry
• 2025-26 eData Entry Forms

• NCFL Families Learning Conference - November 2-5, 2025, Charlotte, NC - In-person
• COABE National Conference - April 12-15, 2026, Indianapolis, IN - In-person and virtual

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 (PAACE)

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

August Newsletter

Adult and Family Literacy Today

Features updates on adult and family literacy research, policy, and practice from the Goodling Institute for Research in Family Literacy and the Institute for the Study of Adult Literacy

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. 22 | Aug. 8 | July 31 | July 25

COABE Connects, Digital Equity, Coalition on Adult Basic Education

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

Aug. 22 | Aug. 15 | Aug. 8 | Aug. 1