Establishing adult career pathways is challenging, complex work. In Minnesota, a new professional development initiative provides ABE managers with a facilitated, supported, year-long cohort as they work to create or strengthen a career pathway program in collaboration with WIOA partners in their localities. In this article, the rationale, design,…

This brief provides an overview of the knowledge and skills that administrators need in order to support and supervise teachers of adult English language learners. It begins with a review of resources and literature related to teacher supervision in general and to adult ESL education. It continues with information on the background and…

A study examined issues of teacher professionalization within adult literacy education. Relevant research and theory on professionalization were reviewed, the historical experiences of other professional fields were examined, data on state certification requirements for adult basic education (ABE) teachers were analyzed, officials from states…

This report describes a project conducted for the following purposes: (1) research the new technologies that will be part of the upcoming information boom, popularly referred to as the "information superhighway"; (2) interview technical professionals in the scientific field to find out their feelings and predictions on the technology;…

This paper offers a survey developed as part of the National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy's Professional Development Study. Most of the questions in this survey were tested with 100 adult education and literacy teachers in the New England area; a few changes have been made to this version to correct poorly worded questions…

This brief is written for the practitioners: teachers, teacher trainers, curriculum writers, and program administrators who work with adult English language students in English as a second language (ESL) classes or in mixed adult basic education ABE classes (with native English speakers and English language learners). If educators are not…

In this report, the authors present the results of their analysis of who adult basic education (ABE) teachers are, how they approach their work, the challenges they face, and the concerns they have about their work. Using the teachers' own words as often as possible, this report describes teachers within their four roles, as: classroom teachers,…

The Administrative Leadership Institute offered a Leadership Institute, Regional Group Meetings, and online support to administrators of adult basic and literacy education programs in Pennsylvania. The program was developed following a needs assessment that gathered information from administrators in the state. The Leadership Institute, held in…

This guidebook is intended to help state literacy leaders evaluate their states' progress in implementing five key strategies for establishing an integrated literacy system. Chapters are devoted to each of the following strategies: determine the dimensions of the literacy problem, set priorities and performance expectations, create quality…

This guide and accompanying supplement seeks to promote ongoing professional development activities suitable for traditional adult education, as well as basic skills instruction in other learning environments by doing the following: (1) broadening the base of professional development approaches; (2) enhancing individual choice of appropriate…

This document contains 31 competencies organized by these three themes related to effective adult instruction: (1) keeping current in content area and in instructional strategies; (2) communicating and collaborating with colleagues and learners to facilitate learning; and (3) working positively and nonjudgmentally with diverse populations. The…

This guide contains ideas and resources for adult education. It provides practical suggestions and specific guidance in five areas of adult education: adult basic education, high school completion/general education development, English for speakers of other languages, exceptional adult basic education, and the elderly. The guide focuses on the…

This document provides guidelines for designing mentoring programs to facilitate the professional development of adult basic education (ABE) and English-as-a-second-language (ESL) instructors. Chapter 1 discusses the rationale behind mentoring in ABE programs. Special attention is paid to the following topics: how mentoring fits with adult…

This guide, which is intended for administrators of programs providing adult basic and literacy education (ABLE) services in Pennsylvania, contains 59 individually authored papers devoted to planning, managing, and improving ABLE programs. The following are among the topics discussed in the guide's five sections: understanding the role of the ABLE…

This publication is designed to help adult education administrators think reflectively about their programs, identify areas of strengths and areas of improvement for themselves and for their programs, and plan and implement strategies that enhance the overall quality of their programs. The guide identifies a set of 17 recognized skills and…