GED® Exam and GED® Testing Center Information and Updates

On November 12 and February 18, the Professional Learning Opportunities Project (ProLO) will hold GED® Information Session webinars. These sessions will be offered as hour-long webinars that will focus on the resources available from GED Testing Service® that are designed to assist instructors in preparing learners to take the high school equivalency exams. For more information, view the informational document, or contact Amanda Ruth at aruth@tiu11.org.

If your agency is interested in becoming a GED® testing center or is a current testing center looking to expand the services you offer, consider attending Pearson VUE's webinar on November 8 at 11:00 a.m. This session will explore the Pearson VUE GED® testing center application approval process in some detail. Participants will gain a better understanding of the requirements to provide GED® testing to set themselves up for success. Additionally, this presentation will focus on the numerous advantages of mobile testing to meet students' needs. Register online for this free webinar.

Ideas for Election and Civics Lessons

With the 2024 presidential election just days away, it can be useful to incorporate civics and election information into your lessons with adult learners. See last month's newsletter for information on Pennsylvania's election. A recent Edutopia article, Ideas for Teaching Students About Elections, Even in Polarized Times, shares strategies for exposing students to the civic process and practicing their civic skills and responsibilities. Ideas vary from holding a mock election to real world interaction with candidates and their ideas.

ApprenticeshipPA Discounted Registration

The Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association (PWDA) is offering Title II practitioners a discounted registration for the ApprenticeshipPA Collaborative and Expo. PWDA members receive a $60 discount when applying for the November 18-19 event in Bethlehem, PA. ApprenticeshipPA will bring together industry, education, workforce, and stakeholders across PA that want to strengthen apprenticeship employment and work-based models of training and development. Network with Pennsylvania's best of the best. See the ApprenticeshipPA website for more information and to register.

Tutor Coordinator Networking and Updates Webinar Series

All staff involved with recruiting, training, managing, or collaborating with volunteer tutors and/or classroom aides are invited to attend the first Tutor Coordinator Networking and Updates webinar of the program year on November 7 at 9:00 a.m. The Professional Learning Opportunities Project (ProLO) will be sharing the updated list of tutoring routines available on the PAAER website and discussing some other resources for tutor professional development. Further webinars in this series are scheduled for February 6 and May 1, 2025. Join the first webinar on November 7. If you have a resource to share or a question you’d like to ask the group, please contact Rachel Baron (rbaron@tiu11.org) or Lynne Watson (lynnewatson927@gmail.com). 

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.

PAsmart Advancing Grant Opportunity

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) announced the availability of PAsmart Advancing Grants to expand access to computer science and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education for learners across the commonwealth. According to the Request for Applications document, one of the initiative priorities for these grants is to boost inclusion in computer science and STEM career and technical education for adult learners and those in Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Priority of Service populations and other historically underserved and underrepresented populations. View the request for application online for more information.

PAACE Annual Awards

PAACE is seeking nominations for the annual awards given for outstanding members of the adult education community. Awards include Outstanding Teacher, Student, Administrator and State Innovation of the Year, as well as awards for Workforce Development, Local Excellence in Advocacy, Excellence in Local Programming, and State Association Leadership. There are also incentive grants and individual scholarships. Peer nominations (not self-nominations) will be accepted through December 2, 2024.

Hurricane Relief

Learn how you can help those affected by hurricanes Helene and Milton. One hundred percent of your donation supports adult education programs that have been heavily impacted by the recent hurricanes.  

The Coalition on Adult Basic Education and the Educate & Elevate Foundation have joined together to raise funds for local programs that have been impacted by the recent onslaught of hurricanes Helene and Milton.100% of your donation supports adult education programs that have been heavily impacted by the recent hurricanes! Learn more.

NCFL Families Learning Conference

The Families Learning Conference is quickly approaching and will be held on November 18-20 in Louisville, KY. The full lineup of conference sessions is now available.

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. 

• Professional Development System Coordinator - PDE
• 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:

• eData Instructional Manual and Glossary 24-25
• IET Overview
• Workforce Equity Resources for Women

• 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. 

Families Learning, News of the Week, National Center for Families Learning

Features information and resources for family literacy, early childhood education, and parent education.

Oct. 11 | Sept. 26 | Sept. 20

COABE Connects, Digital Equity, Coalition on Adult Basic Education

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

Oct. 18 | Oct. 4 | Sept. 27

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. 

Oct. 23 | Oct. 2 | Sept. 26

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

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

October Newsletter