California Adult Literacy Professional Development Project

This research forum webinar introduces the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework as well as the accommodations and modifications that support learning, self-determination, and success for adult learners, including learners with learning disabilities. We will discuss the challenges adult education professionals face while supporting adults with learning disabilities and share strategies and tools that work.  

CALPRO Pilot in the San Diego RegionThe California Department of Education (CDE) and the California Adult Literacy Professional Development Project (CALPRO) are pleased to offer a regional Community of Practice (CoP) pilot on Evidence-Based Reading Instruction to participants from the San Diego area, including MiraCosta College, Escondido Adult School, Poway Adult School, Vista Adult School, and other neighboring districts and adult education consortia.  In-Person Session Dates: Fridays, March 27 & April 17, 2026, 10am-1pm Location: MiraCosta College Community Learning Center at 1831 Mission Ave, Oceanside, CAAsynchronous Online Dates: March 16 - April 26, 2026 (Moodle) This practical hands-on CoP is designed to support adult education instructors in implementing evidence-based literacy instruction, informed by the Science of Reading and responsive to the needs of students and educators in California. It aims to help educators deliver explicit instruction in the four essential components of reading—alphabetics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.The application deadline is Friday, March 6, 2026, at 5 pm. Notification of acceptance will occur by Wednesday, March 11, 2026.Light snacks will be providedAll Participants agree to:-    Complete online assignments before, between, and after the face-to-face meetings-    Attend both face-to-face meetings-    Provide collegial support and feedback to fellow training participants-    Be able to use technology for learning (e.g., using a learning management system [Moodle], typing text in online discussion forums, opening and attaching documents, clicking to view videos, and emailing to ask for help.) In-depth training on using the internet and other basic tools will not be provided.What are the goals and objectives of the Evidence-Based Reading Instruction CoP?This practical hands-on CoP is designed help educators deliver explicit instruction in the four essential components of reading—alphabetics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. The training integrates research-based practices, ongoing assessment, and strategies for adult learners.Objectives:Describe the four essential reading instruction components: alphabetics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension.Apply explicit instructional strategies for teaching at least one of the reading components to adult learners.Use diagnostic and ongoing assessment tools to inform instructional planning.Integrate background knowledge, language development, and writing into reading instruction to support comprehension and engagement.Who is the intended audience?This module is designed for literacy instructors (i.e., English Language Arts and English as a Second/Additional Language) in adult education programs (ABE, ASE, HSE, and ESL). It will have a practical instructional focus, so participants should have access to a classroom in which they are able to implement what they learn. What are “Communities of Practice”?Communities of Practice are groups of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and strive to learn how to do it better as they interact regularly.[1] To provide opportunities for California adult educators to interact regularly and to engage in sustained professional development, CALPRO is offering professional development in a Community of Practice format that includes online interaction along with two face-to-face sessions.What is a pilot?This Community of Practice is complete and ready for participants, but before offering it statewide, we are field-testing the content, design, and online activities as a pilot. Throughout the pilot, participants will be asked to provide feedback. This feedback will be used to improve the delivery of future CoPs.What are the benefits of participating in this CoP Pilot?In-depth engagement with training content;Opportunity for “early adoption” of best practices;Opportunity to interact with fellow educators and the trained facilitator to share practical experiences and solve instructional challenges;Collegial support for thinking about changes in instructional strategies and approaches;Contribution to the development of an enriched statewide professional development experience for adult educators in California. Participant Commitment and ExpectationsComplete Online Activities Attend Both Face-to-Face SessionsParticipants must access Pre-Session, Interim and Post-Session assignments via Moodle, CALPRO’s learning management system (LMS). The online assignments are essential to the training, and participants must complete the assignments prior to attending the face-to-face sessions. The face-to-face sessions will not repeat information that participants have received online.Eligibility: Employees from all California Adult Education Program (CAEP) and WIOA Title II-funded agencies are eligible to apply.Cost: There is no registration fee to participate. All expenses for educators’ release time are the responsibility of the agency/participants, as is any travel or meal. Administrator approval: Administrator approval is required for participation.Certificates: Certificates of completion will be issued to those who complete all online activities on time and participate in both face-to-face sessions.                                                                                                                             Questions: For additional information, contact Sachiko Oates, soates@air.org  

CALPRO Pilot in the San Diego RegionThe California Department of Education (CDE) and the California Adult Literacy Professional Development Project (CALPRO) are pleased to offer a regional Community of Practice (CoP) pilot on Evidence-Based Reading Instruction to participants from the San Diego area, including MiraCosta College, Escondido Adult School, Poway Adult School, Vista Adult School, and other neighboring districts and adult education consortia.  In-Person Session Dates: Fridays, March 27 & April 17, 2026, 10am-1pm Location: MiraCosta College Community Learning Center Asynchronous Online Dates: March 16 - April 26, 2026 (Moodle) Participants will engage in a blend of asynchronous online and in-person sessions, focusing on evidence-based explicit reading instruction in the four essential components of reading—alphabetics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. This is a unique opportunity for educators to participate in job-embedded professional development. The application deadline is Friday, March 6, 2026.  

CALPRO Pilot in the San Diego RegionThe California Department of Education (CDE) and the California Adult Literacy Professional Development Project (CALPRO) are pleased to offer a regional Community of Practice (CoP) pilot on Evidence-Based Reading Instruction to participants from the San Diego area, including MiraCosta College, Escondido Adult School, Poway Adult School, Vista Adult School, and other neighboring districts and adult education consortia.  In-Person Session Dates: Fridays, March 27 & April 17, 2026, 10am-1pm Location: MiraCosta College Community Learning Center Asynchronous Online Dates: March 16 - April 26, 2026 (Moodle) Participants will engage in a blend of asynchronous online and in-person sessions, focusing on evidence-based explicit reading instruction in the four essential components of reading—alphabetics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. This is a unique opportunity for educators to participate in job-embedded professional development. The application deadline is Friday, March 6, 2026.  

Hosted by Glendale Community CollegeThis tailored virtual community of practice will introduce nine strategies that help learners persist in their learning. This is the first of a two-part series offered on March 13 and March 26, 2026. We encourage participation in both sessions.There are a number of research-based strategies for helping adults persist in reaching their education goals. The goal of this session is to expose teachers to nine of these strategies and to encourage the incorporation of these strategies into instructional practice.Registration Information:This tailored regional CoP is designed for the faculty and staff at Glendale Community College. There is no registration fee to participate; CALPRO professional development opportunities are available to all California Adult Education Program (CAEP) agencies and employees. Registration through Zoom is required.

Hosted by Glendale Community CollegeThis tailored virtual community of practice will focus on applying instructional strategies to help learners persist in their learning. The strategies include differentiation, scaffolding, and collaboration for learner autonomy and multilevel management. This is the second of a two-part series offered on March 13 and March 26, 2026. We encourage participation in both sessions.There are a number of research-based strategies for helping adults persist in reaching their education goals. The goal of this session is to expose teachers to nine of these strategies and provide opportunities for practice.Registration Information:This tailored regional CoP is designed for the faculty and staff at Glendale Community College. There is no registration fee to participate; CALPRO professional development opportunities are available to all California Adult Education Program (CAEP) agencies and employees. 

Hosted by Santa Monica CollegeThis tailored community of practice will introduce nine strategies that help learners persist in their learning. There are a number of research-based strategies for helping adults persist in reaching their education goals. The goal of this session is to expose teachers to nine of these strategies and encourage the incorporation of these strategies into instructional practice.Registration Information:This tailored regional CoP is designed for the faculty and staff at Santa Monica College. There is no registration fee to participate; CALPRO professional development opportunities are available to all California Adult Education Program (CAEP) agencies and employees. 

Webinar date: 1/21/2026, 1-2pmCoordinator: Cherise MoorePresenters: Dr. Carolyn Zachry, Kathleen Porter, and Carlos RodriguezView this one-hour webinar designed to strengthen your use of data in shaping and advancing your Continuous Improvement Plan. You’ll hear professional perspectives from the California Department of Education, CASAS, and the field on how to effectively analyze and apply data for program improvement. Together, we’ll explore specific reports you can generate to guide decision-making and provide hands-on practice in developing clear, actionable SMART goals.

Hosted by EPIC de Cesar Chavez High School, A Division of FIELD: Farmworker Institute of Education and Leadership DevelopmentIt can be challenging for instructors to provide level-appropriate, engaging instruction for all students in an ESL Multilevel class. Through this 4-hour workshop, participants will be able to facilitate level-appropriate and engaging instruction for students at various proficiency levels.Registration Information:This tailored regional CoP is designed for the teachers at EPIC de Cesar Chavez High School, A Division of FIELD: Farmworker Institute of Education and Leadership Development.There is no registration fee to participate; CALPRO professional development opportunities are available to all California Adult Education Program (CAEP) agencies and employees. 

This course is underway and no longer available for registration. Course Description:Plan and deliver effective lessons! This course takes participants step by step through the process of lesson design and provides an opportunity to create a lesson plan using the OTAN Online Lesson Plan Builder. Participants will learn up-to-date strategies for planning lessons using a combination of the WIPPEA stages and “backward design.” Using the information and skills taught in this course, participants will find that lesson planning becomes a quick, easy process. This course takes place entirely online and runs for four consecutive weeks. Weekly participation is required, though participants may, during a given week, log in whenever they wish. Two live webinars will be scheduled during the course; webinar dates and times will be announced and posted. Participants who successfully complete this course will receive a certificate of participation (14 hours); they are also eligible to apply to CSU Sacramento for 1.4 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) if they wish.Goals:The goal of this CALPRO course is to provide teachers with a model for designing effective lesson plans.Registration Information:There is no registration fee to participate; CALPRO professional development opportunities are available to all California Adult Education Program (CAEP) agencies and employees.Registered participants will receive final confirmation and details by Friday, March 13, 2026. Waitlisted participants will also receive an update regarding their enrollment status by that date.Contact Information:Please contact calpro@air.org with any questions.