Bringing Reading Instruction to Life Using PIAAC Tools: Supplement to the Introductory Guide (Literacy)
Author: Amy R. TrawickProduced by the American Institutes for Research through a contract with the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) of the U.S. Department of Education, May 2018.This 2018 report supplements the previously published Using the PIACC Literacy Framework to Guide Instruction: An Introduction for Adult Educators and provides literacy instructors ways to implement contextualized reading instruction to a population with varied needs and educational backgrounds. By connecting real-world reading tasks and standards-based instruction, this report provides resources for teachers to consider when planning a contextualized reading curriculum. The supplemental report is based on data originally released by the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIACC) in September 2016 and was produced by the American Institutes for Research through a contract with the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) of the U.S. Department of Education.
Adult English Language Learners with Limited Literacy
Authors: Martha Bigelow and Robin Lovrien Schwarz, September 2010Produced by Literacy Information and Communication System/National Institute for LiteracyThis paper reviews a variety of research, including that on language acquisition, literacy development in adults and children, cognition and brain functioning, adult education, and professional development.
Research Forum: Integrated Healthcare Curriculum and Instruction
Join us for an insightful webinar showcasing the integrated healthcare curriculum and instruction presented by two California adult education agencies. We are featuring the Pharmacy Clerk Pathway at Charles A. Jones Career and Education Center and the Phlebotomy Pathway at Saddleback College.
Our panel of practitioners will share effective instructional practices and examples of healthcare contextualization. Learn how these programs are designed to support adult English language learners in achieving their healthcare career goals through coordinated efforts.
Join us to discover practical strategies for enhancing healthcare pathways in your own programs!
Research Forum: Media Literacy for Adult Learners: Enhancing Critical Thinking Skills in the Digital Age
In today's world, media literacy is an essential skill for adults to participate in academic, professional, and community activities. This webinar will explore the importance of media literacy in adult education, providing practical tools and strategies to help learners critically evaluate media sources, understand the impact of media on society, and navigate the digital landscape with confidence. Participants will gain insights into fostering critical thinking and media analysis skills among adult learners, empowering them to become informed and engaged community members.
Strategies for Effective Instruction: Fundamentals of Adult Education Instruction
Adult learners bring a wealth of prior knowledge and experiences to the classroom. Their unique learning motivations and expectations call for instructional approaches that are both responsive and intentional. To support adult learners in achieving their personal, academic, or career goals, educators must design engaging and effective instruction that acknowledges and builds upon learnersâ strengths and meets their needs.In this webinar, we will explore strategies for differentiating and scaffolding instruction, as well as using formative assessment to guide learner progress. The session will highlight the value of data-informed, learner-centered design in adult education and offer actionable insights for creating supportive learning environments.
Research Forum: Strategies for Effective Instruction: Fundamentals of Adult Education
Research Forum Webinar on Fundamentals of Adult Education Instruction
Facilitator: Sachiko Oates
CALPRO Research Forum: Formative Assessment for Data-Informed Differentiated Instruction
This one-hour webinar explores how formative assessment can enhance teaching and learning to support adult learners' persistence and goal achievement. The webinar will address common misconceptions about formative assessment, such as the belief that itâs too time-consuming or only useful for teachers. Through examining real-life examples, participants will learn strategies for collecting and analyzing learner data to inform differentiated instruction. The session will include practical examples, tools for implementation, and opportunities for reflection and discussion.
Presenter: DeAnne Berryhill
Differentiated Instruction to Support ELLs in Content Classrooms
Hosted by Sweetwater UHSD Adult EducationThis tailored three-hour in-person CoP is designed for faculty at Sweetwater UHSD Adult Education. Using scaffolding, differentiation, and explicit strategy instruction, this interactive workshop empowers CTE instructors to support English Language Learners in their class. The session will showcase effective instructional practices that leverage learners' strengths and support strategy development in contextualized learning. Registration Information:This tailored regional CoP is designed for the Sweetwater Adult School teachers.There is no registration fee to participate; CALPRO professional development opportunities are available to all California Adult Education Program (CAEP) agencies and employees.
Research Forum: Designing for All: Universal Design for Learning for Adults with Learning Disabilities
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.
Date: 2/17/2026
Presenter: Marie Doerner
Research Forum: Evidence-Based Reading Instruction
CALPRO's Research Forum Webinar:
Evidence-Based Reading Instruction
Presenter: Kristi Reyes