California Adult Literacy Professional Development Project

Presenter: Dr. Heidi Silver-Pacuilla, Senior Research Analyst at the American Institutes for Research, brings over twenty years of experience in literacy work with learners of all ages. She has personal experience at every level of adult education programming and has published scholarly work in adult pedagogy, disability services, integration of technology into literacy learning, and service delivery systems.What policies would significantly change the odds of success for adult learners? Explore and contribute to innovative ideas and service delivery models generated at a symposium in Washington, DC from making childcare more affordable for working and learning parents to strategies to accelerate and contextualize basic skills with vocational training. 

Facilitator: Kristi ReyesAdult learners sometimes face internal barriers that can limit their potential for success in our classes, but there are things we can do to help students develop strategies for overcoming barriers. Of the possible strategies, this webinar will focus on two: encouraging a growth mindset and overcoming the effects of internalized stereotypes. These strategies can affect not only performance in school but can also have a positive influence on learners' lives beyond education. Learn how these strategies work and consider ways of using them in your own teaching.

Facilitator: Tricia Ouellette, Mt. Diablo Adult EducationWhat kind of support can we provide to our students to help them meet their goals and move on to the next stage of life, whether it's further education, job training, or a better job? In this session, you will hear about the many strategies Mt. Diablo Adult Education, as part of the Contra Costa Adult Education Consortium, has employed to support learner transitions, including an interest survey, new English and Math courses, counseling, financial aid workshops, career exploration, and more! 

Facilitator: Anna Pilloton, Director of Outreach and Community Partnerships at the College of MarinWhat do your students need to know about transferring to a community college, or from non–credit classes to credit? What options do they have in terms of cost? What are the different pathways they should consider for their future? What support services are available to them once they are enrolled, and how should they go about finding what they need? This webinar will take you on a guided tour of the community college resources and services. 

Authors: Anthony Burik, Mariann Fedele-McLeod, Debalina Ganguli, Martin D. Griffin, Hilary Iserman, Nicole Jordan, Stephanie Kriebel, Yecsenia Lorenzo, Courtney McMahon, Katie Callahan Neginskiy, Penny Pearson, Theresa Petersen, Kristi Reyes, Thoibi N. Rublaitus, Shannon Swain, Lila Young, Carolyn ZachryThis evidence to action brief presents recent research on distance learning in adult education and provides an important contemporaneous account of how California adult education rose to meet the challenge of continuing to serve adult learners during the pandemic. This brief captures a snapshot of the current state of practice and evidence, including identified challenges and corresponding best practices. Additionally, it looks towards the future as adult education continues to address the identified challenges of distance learning in innovative ways, as well as to harness the ample benefits and potential for students.

Produced by California Adult Literacy Professional Development ProjectThis publication presents the outcomes of a multi-year initiative on enhancing adult learner persistence. It addresses three distinct but related efforts on learner persistence: (1) the adult learner persistence Web site developed by the California Department of Education, (2) a field-based research initiative (FBRI) on learner persistence, and (3) site-based study circles on learner persistence. The purpose of each of these efforts was the same: to make available to California adult educators information about current research findings on learner persistence and to invite them to use the findings to design and implement interventions to enhance the persistence of their adult learners.

This brief explores the application of the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) principles and related frameworks in adult education. Incorporation of SEL holds great promise in empowering adult learners with the skills needed for personal growth, career success, and active participation in society. It further examines how educators' overall well-being through their own development of SEL skills benefits both the educators and the students. The brief provides practical application ideas and resources for implementation. Examples from two adult education programs in California are also included for inspiration and further exploration of the topic.Authors:Sachiko Ozaki Oates; Kimberly Kendziora; Veronica Tylor; Steven A. Casperite

Course Description:This course examines how adults learn and the implications for adult literacy programs. It explores the unique characteristics of adult learners as well as adult motivation, needs, and self-concept and their effect on learning. The course also explores adult development and the implications for effective teaching. 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. A 1-hour, kick-off Webinar will take place during the first week of the course. Participants who successfully complete this course will receive a certificate of participation (14 hours); they are also eligible to apply to CSUS for 1.4 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) if they wish.Goals:The goal of this course is to help participants gain a general understanding of adult learning and development so that they can design and deliver instruction that is responsive to the needs of adult learners.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. This course is currently at capacity. Waitlisted participants will be notified regarding their enrollment status by Friday, April 4, 2025. Contact Information:Please contact calpro@air.org with any questions.