VALRC

COABE: AI in Adult Education: Preparing Learners and Helping Educators for Today and Tomorrow
2025-10-17 14:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York)
Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping education, work, and the skills needed for success. For adult education, AI offers tools to personalize learning, support digital literacy, and create stronger pathways to employment. This webinar will highlight strategies for integrating AI into programs, with examples of readily available tools that teachers and students can use immediately to enhance instruction and engagement. Participants will learn how AI can expand opportunities, improve outcomes, and prepare learners for the future.
Register here.

ProLiteracy: Teacher Training Plus: Research, Verify, Evaluate: Teaching 21st Century Information Skills
2025-10-21 13:00 - 14:00
Help learners build the essential research and evaluation skills needed for today’s information-rich workplaces. In this webinar, participants will explore how to teach digital research strategies and information evaluation. Learn how to help students navigate online resources, use fact-checking tools, and interpret the credibility of digital content. Explore how AI tools can assist students in conducting research, from generating search questions to organizing and interpreting the information they find. You will leave with practical strategies and classroom-ready ideas to integrate research skills into HSE, ESL, and other adult education settings.
Register here.

Tuesdays for Teachers: Corrections - Getting Students Ready for Re-entry
2025-10-28 15:30 - 17:00
When you think of Re-entry services, what comes to mind? Housing, employment assistance, transportation, counseling? Re-entry programs provide all of those services and more. However, adult educators can play a role in preparing students for re-entry through academic instruction that is contextualized to show students how the skills they learn while preparing for the GED test transfer into their lives after incarceration.
This session is designed to help instructors in corrections programs contextualize their instruction to show the value of learning concepts and skills for the GED test as well as for life beyond incarceration. Students in corrections have many resources available to them through re-entry services. However, if the student has limited skills in math, reading, or writing, how those students can take full advantage of those services may be limited.
Think in terms of a student using re-entry services to find employment. Employers today expect that new hires will have at least a basic level of writing skills. In fact, almost 75% of employers rank written communication skills third behind leadership and working as part of a team. In this session, teachers will learn how to use “information hooks” to show students how what they are learning to pass the GED test can be used in various occupations from fast food to transportation to sales and service.
Register here.

Navigating CASAS New Test Series - Virginia ESL and ABE Programs
2025-11-06 14:00 - 15:30
In this training, we will introduce participants to CASAS’ new Reading STEPS, Listening STEPS, Reading GOALS 2 and Math GOALS 2 assessment series. We will look at sample test items and test blueprints and explore their alignment to the College and Career Readiness and English Language Proficiency Standards. We will hi-light the most popular TOPSpro Enterprise instructional reports and discuss ways in which they can be used to help inform instruction.
Registration required: https://casas-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/e3JU-KsmQsSeZi4goSO1PA

EdTech Strategy Session
2025-11-14 13:00 - 14:30
Monthly sessions highlighting innovations in edtech and digital learning

On the second Friday of each month, the EdTech Strategy Sessions bring you two ⚡lightning talks that highlight practical strategies and innovative approaches to leveraging technology in adult education. After the talks, you are welcome to join a small-group discussion with one of the speakers to exchange ideas, adapt strategies to your context, and plan your next steps.
Register here.

Bi-monthly Program Managers Meeting
2025-11-17 13:30 - 15:30, 2026-01-26 13:30 - 15:30, 2026-03-16 13:30 - 15:30, 2026-05-18 13:30 - 15:30, 2026-07-20 13:30 - 15:30
Bi-monthly virtual meeting for updates, news, and discussion for all adult education program managers.
Register and join here.

CASAS Office Hours
2025-11-21 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-12-05 14:00 - 15:00
Maximize the many features and resources available in CASAS. Join us and bring your questions and get one-on-one support, help, suggestions and just plain old encouragement in using CASAS. Attending participants will drive the session with their questions and needs.
Register here.

EdTech Strategy Session
2025-12-12 01:00 - 14:30
Monthly sessions highlighting innovations in edtech and digital learning

On the second Friday of each month, the EdTech Strategy Sessions bring you two ⚡lightning talks that highlight practical strategies and innovative approaches to leveraging technology in adult education. After the talks, you are welcome to join a small-group discussion with one of the speakers to exchange ideas, adapt strategies to your context, and plan your next steps.
Register here.
December’s strategy session, sponsored by @Essential Education, will focus on innovative strategies for accelerating HSE credentialing.

Lightning talk #1 – A Flexible Approach to Practice
This lightning talk will highlight how to provide learners with flexible materials and ample practice. Hear about how to foster self-directed learning and structured autonomy to personalize learning experiences.
Lightning talk #2 – Engaging Youth
The second speaker will share strategies for engaging younger adult learners (ages 16-18) in short-term programs, including increased engagement, mixed prescription for varied levels and skills, and the practical integration of Career and Technical Education (CTE).

VALRC: LACES Data Analysis Session
2026-02-10 14:00 - 15:30, 2026-04-28 14:00 - 15:30, 2026-06-16 14:00 - 15:30 | Online
Join a group of Virginia practitioners for a hands-on experience working with data in the LACES system.
Register here
