California Adult Literacy Professional Development Project

This course is underway and no longer available for registration.Course Description:This course will introduce participants to a wide variety of strategies for both program and classroom that move students towards their career goals in the most efficient way possible. Agencies are encouraged to register as a team of at least two members but may include up to four members. An assumption behind this team approach is that that program changes have to be implemented and led by administrators but cannot be successful without the understanding and support from teachers. 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:Define the concepts of career pathways and accelerated learning Identify the role of adult education in the career pathway process and ways in which accelerated learning can help students overcome barriers to success Describe a variety of accelerated learning strategies Initiate planning for the implementation of one or two selected accelerated learning strategies Develop problem-solving approaches to address implementation challenges Select continuous improvement strategiesRegistration 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 6, 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.

This course is underway and no longer available for registration.Course Description:This course will examine nine strategies that help learners persist and offer adult educators the opportunity to practice and internalize them. The course focuses on motivation and persistence and is relevant for teachers and instructional leaders from all content areas within adult education. 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:There are a number of research-based strategies for helping adults persist in reaching their education goals. The goal of this course is to expose teachers to nine of these strategies, provide opportunities for practice, and encourage the incorporation of these strategies into instructional practice.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, February 27, 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.

Panel DiscussionSuccessful postsecondary transitions can change the life trajectories of adult learners and their families. According to the statewide data, only 6.5% of adults 25-40 are currently enrolled in higher education while over 25% intend to enroll. Providing effective support for adult learners’ transition to postsecondary education has become one of the critical missions for adult education. This research forum webinar will feature four California Adult Education Consortia that are implementing innovative, learner‑centered approaches to improve transitions into postsecondary programs. Panelists will share practical insights, lessons learned, and replicable models that other regions can adapt.Featured Implementation Examples:Education to Career Network of North San Diego County: Sustainable Structures and Collaborative Culture Inland Adult Education Consortium: Successful Transition CounselingNorth Santa Clara County Consortium for Adult Education: Dual Enrollment for All CAEP StudentsState Center Adult Education Consortium: Student Ambassador Model

Literacy is a fundamental skill that enables adults to live productive lives, participate in the workforce, make informed health decisions, support children's education, and engage with their community and government. However, about 130 million or 54% of U.S. adults read below the sixth-grade equivalent level, and the number of adults ranked at the lowest levels of literacy (PIAAC Level 1 or lower), who are “at risk for difficulties using or comprehending print material” are growing. It is critical that we address literacy skills in adult education. Reading ability develops through the interaction of cognitive, linguistic, and contextual factors, and research in the learning sciences shows that literacy is not a “natural” outcome of exposure alone but is supported by explicit instruction and systematic learning experiences that build phonological awareness, decoding, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. Join this webinar to explore evidence-based strategies and how to apply them in adult education contexts. 

Course Description:This course explores how the types of questions educators use in the classroom, and the ways in which they use them, can enhance learning by promoting deeper thinking. Participants will discuss the importance and relevance of questioning in the adult learning classroom; the purposes of different question types; sequencing questions to promote deeper thinking; and strategies to address challenges in classroom questioning. The course takes place entirely online and runs for one week. Daily participation is required, though participants may log in whenever they wish. A live webinar will be scheduled during the course; the time will be announced and posted. Participants who successfully complete this course will receive a certificate of participation (4.5 hours).Goals:This course aims to highlight the power of questioning as a tool for building thinking skills, and to support educators in making strategic choices about how they employ questions in instruction.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, April 17. Waitlisted participants will also receive an update regarding their enrollment status by that date. This course is currently at capacity, by registering you will be added to a waitlist. Contact Information:Please contact calpro@air.org with any questions.

Hosted by San Diego College of Continuing Education/SDCCDAdult education instructors who work with English language learners can benefit from familiarity with the English Language Proficiency (ELP) Standards for Adult Education. These standards help guide instruction toward the increased rigor and skills needed for successful transition to work, postsecondary training, and active participation in community life.In this virtual session, participants will explore the guiding principles of the ELP standards and consider how they apply to instructional practice. They will also examine strategies for scaffolding instruction so students can access and succeed in rigorous curriculum requirements.Registration Information:This tailored regional CoP is designed for the instructors at San Diego College of Continuing Education/SDCCD.There is no registration fee to participate.

RESEARCH FORUM WEBINARThis webinar builds on the introductory webinar offered on February 17th, 2026 and focuses on turning UDL concepts into everyday teaching routines to improve engagement, accessibility, and learner persistence, with examples tailored to adult‑education contexts. Let's explore concrete instructional strategies, lesson design choices, and learner support.