Newsletter | February 2026 | | |
It seems that Punxsutawney Phil was correct with the prediction of six more weeks of winter! This stretch of late winter can feel quite long and it is easy to lose focus, but this time of year, between the holidays and the excitement of spring, can be a great time to pay attention to your priorities and your To Do List.
This newsletter has several items you may want to act on:
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Check out the updated Building a Collaborative Report document on the PAAER website so you can share how adult education strengthens workforce with your local workforce development board.
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There are a few opportunities for professional development including a chance to prepare for April's National Apprenticeship Week.
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The application period for the National Book Fund closes this coming Monday, March 2, so act now if you are interested in receiving New Readers Press materials.
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The annual conferences for PAACE, PWDA, and COABE are fast approaching with opportunities to register and prepare.
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| PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES |
National Apprenticeship Week Webinar
The 2026 National Apprenticeship Week will take place April 26-May 2, as a nationwide celebration with ApprenticeshipUSA partners. Stakeholders, from employers and workforce partners to educational institutions and apprentices themselves, host events to showcase success stories and illustrate the value of Registered Apprenticeship. A webinar this Friday, February 27, 1:00-2:00 p.m., will share information about planned events and ideas for hosting your own events. Register now.
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Upcoming 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 view 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.
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Career and Technical Education Webinar
COABE is hosting a webinar on Thursday, February 26, 1:00-2:00 p.m., titled The Modern CTE Playbook: How Top Career and Technical Education Programs Succeed. Workforce needs are changing faster than ever. Student interests are evolving just as quickly, yet many districts are still expected to design and scale CTE pathways before they have clear, timely insight into either. Join district leaders from across the country who are rethinking how CTE programs are designed, validated, and scaled—before locking in staffing, facilities, and pathways. Learn more and register online.
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National Book Fund
The application period for the National Book Fund (NBF) is open now through Monday, March 2. The NBF is dedicated to enhancing literacy by providing New Readers Press books and educational resources to adult learners. Any organization that demonstrates a need for funding to support their adult education and literacy efforts can apply.
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Collaborative Reports
The Building a Collaborative Report on Workforce Development Planning document has been updated. This document provides ideas for creating a collaborative report that incorporates both quantitative and qualitative data. Using both types of data can help illustrate program impact, highlight success stories, and strengthen partnerships with WIOA stakeholders. For more information about annual collaborative board reports, read the Division of Adult Education policies. Loretta Lininger (lml160@psu.edu) is also available to provide customized technical assistance focused on preparing collaborative reports for local workforce development boards.
Workforce Wednesdays
Workforce Wednesday networking sessions for administrators are held every Wednesday, 12:30-1:00 p.m. During the month of March, guest speakers will share information about connecting with employers, accessing labor market information, and updates on statewide workforce initiatives. No need to register ahead of time. Join the webinar.
| | STATE AND NATIONAL ADULT EDUCATION NEWS |
Join the TABE 2026 Concordance Study
TABE has invited TABE test administrators to join the 2026 concordance study now through June 30. This study is an opportunity to participate in an online field test in support of TABE 13 and 14 assessments, helping to shape the future of TABE while your students earn $75. To learn more and to register, see the recent TABE announcement.
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PAACE Award Nominations
The Pennsylvania Association for Adult Continuing Education (PAACE) is accepting nominations through March 6 for the 2026 PAACE Awards. Categories include Practitioner, Volunteer, Student, Leader, Partner, and a Lifetime Achievement Award. Submit a nomination today to recognize someone who has made a meaningful impact on Pennsylvania adult education in the past year. Award recipients receive free admission to the in-person and virtual 2026 PAACE Conference along with a complimentary stay at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center on Sunday, April 26, and two guest invitations to the Monday Award Winner Luncheon at the conference.
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COABE Conference App is Available
The Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE) National Conference is coming up, April 12-15. Now you can access content from the conference through its own app, Whova. The app is useful whether you are joining the conference in person or virtually. You can see session details and plan your own agenda, view speaker profiles, network with peers, and receive conference announcements and notifications. Download the app for Android or Apple devices today.
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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.
| | PA ADULT EDUCATION RESOURCES | | |
Visit PAAER.org for the latest PA adult education news and resources. Recent additions to the site include:
| | UPCOMING STATE & NATIONAL CONFERENCES | |
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COABE National Conference - April 12-15, 2026, Indianapolis, IN - In-person and virtual
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Students as Leaders Summit - April 13, 2026, Indianapolis, IN - In-person
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PAACE Conference - April 27-28, 2026, State College, PA - In-person | May 1, 2026 - Virtual
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CEA Forum - May 3-5, 2026, Baltimore, MD - In-person
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PA Workforce Development Association Conference - May 6-8, 2026, Hershey, PA - In-person
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Level Up GED® Conference - July 29-31, 2026 - Atlanta, GA - In-person
| | STATE & 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.
Feb. 13 | Jan. 30 | Jan. 29
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.
February Newsletter
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.
The Change Agent
COABE Connects, Digital Equity, Coalition on Adult Basic Education
Features national information, resources, and initiatives for adult basic education.
Feb. 20 | Feb. 13 | Feb. 10 | Feb. 6 | Jan. 30 | Jan. 23
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