Preparing for FY25 and Beyond: Data Profiles and Updates from the VDOE
2025-06-23 13:30 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Save the Date: Preparing for FY25 and Beyond: Data Profiles and Updates from the VDOE
More details coming soon!
REGISTER HERE

Literacy Minnesota: Phonics in Beginning ESL: Recommendations, Activities and Resources
2025-06-23 19:30 - 21:30 | Virtual
Phonics–the knowledge of the sounds letters make when they are combined to make words–is essential to beginning literacy and beginning level English language instruction. But, many teachers and tutors lack the knowledge, confidence and resources to teach the topic. Attend this session to learn why phonics instruction is important and leave with several ideas for phonics activities and resources to bring back to your teaching and tutoring sessions.
This session will be most useful to tutors and teachers working with beginning literacy, low beginning and high beginning English language learners.
Please note that you may be asked to participate in discussion groups during the webinar. Please plan to join us from a quiet setting where you can see the PowerPoint slides and use your audio.
Register Here

VALRC: LACES data analysis session
2025-06-24 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

Literacy Minnesota: Comprehension Strategies for Intermediate-Level Readers
2025-06-25 14:00 - 16:00 | Virtual
Research shows that explicitly teaching a set of comprehension strategies is a great way to help intermediate-level readers maximize their understanding of texts. Come learn a handful of great comprehension tools that will help students develop critical thinking skills and comprehension skills.
Please note that you may be asked to participate in discussion groups during the webinar. Please plan to join us from a quiet setting where you can see the PowerPoint slides and use your audio.
Register Here

DARS WINDMILLS
2025-06-26 14:00 - 15:00
Taking Emotions out of Emotional Disabilities: This module will provide a way for companies to consider reasonable accommodations for persons with emotional disabilities in an emotionally neutral environment.

CAL: Literacy Practices and Students with Interrupted Formal Education
2025-07-08 16:00 - 16:30 | Virtual
In this timely webinar, we explore critical questions at the intersection of literacy development and educational equity for multilingual learners with limited or interrupted formal education (SLIFE). Part of our Research to Policy: Critical Conversations in Language Education series, this 30-minute session brings together educators, researchers, and policy advocates to examine the unique needs of students entering schools with gaps in formal education, many of whom are learning new languages while adapting to unfamiliar systems and social environments.
Our featured guest, Dr. Michelle Marrero Colón, is a scholar-practitioner who researches best practices for multilingual learners—especially SLIFE—and applies her findings directly in the classroom. Her insights bridge academic research and real-world application, offering practical strategies grounded in both evidence and experience.
Dr. Marrero Colón will be joined by facilitators Dr. Marguerite Lukes and Marybelle Marrero Colón for a dynamic conversation on how schools can respond more effectively to the literacy needs of SLIFE students. Topics include dual language literacy, professional learning for educators, social-emotional supports, and schoolwide models that center student dignity and growth.
This session is designed to inspire action and inform equitable practices in classrooms, schools, and policy spaces.
Register Here

DARS WINDMILLS
2025-07-24 14:00 - 15:00
Fact or Fiction: This module teaches participants to anticipate situations that might occur in the workplace with people with disabilities.

DARS WINDMILLS
2025-08-28 14:00 - 15:00
ASK IT BASKET – Your turn to ask the questions!

Bi-monthly Program Managers Meeting
2025-09-15 13:30 - 15:30, 2025-11-17 13:30 - 15:30
Bi-monthly virtual meeting for updates, news, and discussion for all adult education program managers.
Register and join here.

ProLiteracy: Teacher Training Plus: Setting a Purpose for Reading
2025-09-23 13:00 - 14:00
Reading is more than just decoding words; it’s an active, purposeful engagement with text. This comprehensive webinar delves into the profound impact of establishing a clear reading purpose that fosters deeper comprehension and promotes meaningful interaction between the reader and the material. We’ll explore how connecting discrete reading assignments to overarching personal and academic goals significantly enhances learner motivation, persistence, and overall achievement.
Register here.

Literacy Minnesota: Teaching Reading Vocabulary
2025-09-24 14:00 - 16:00 | Virtual
Vocabulary is everyone’s favorite reading component! And helping students master reading vocabulary is a key to helping them master comprehension.
But how many words should you teach? And which words are the most important? What strategies are best for helping students learn new words? How do you get students to make new words part of their receptive and productive vocabularies? This webinar will focus on the theory and best practice behind choosing, teaching and reviewing reading vocabulary. You’ll get a chance to learn about (and practice) a variety of activities that can be done remotely or in person. Links to great online resources will also be provided.
This workshop will be most useful for instructors working with low-intermediate to advanced readers.
Register Here

COABE: Building Stronger Pipelines: Advancing IET and Apprenticeship Programs Through Language and Employer Partnerships
2025-09-30 14:00 - 15:30
As workforce needs shift and career pathways evolve, integrated education and training (IET) and apprenticeship models offer powerful tools for helping adult learners access high-demand jobs. But how do programs move from planning to full-scale implementation and ensure these pathways are equitable and accessible for English learners?
In this webinar, we will explore how adult education programs are building and expanding IET and apprenticeship pipelines through cross-sector collaboration, employer partnerships, and digital tools that support language and literacy instruction. Speakers will share real-world examples, highlight common roadblocks, and offer actionable strategies to increase access, improve learner outcomes, and meet workforce demand. The needs of special populations, including internationally trained professionals will be explored.
Whether you’re designing a new IET program or looking to take an existing model to the next level, this webinar will provide practical insights and replicable strategies for building programs that work for both learners and employers.
Register here.

Literacy MN: Developing and Practicing Reading Fluency
2025-09-30 19:30 - 21:30 | Online
Come and review the important role of fluency in reading instruction. We will discuss the three key components of reading fluency and look at a variety of activities tutors and teachers can try. We will talk about the mechanics of doing fluency practice via Zoom, Google Meet, Teams or any other remote tutoring tool (including the phone!). Participants will have plenty of opportunity to ask questions and share resources.
This workshop will be most useful for instructors working with low-intermediate to advanced readers.
Register here

edWeb Dyslexia Awareness Week Webinars
2025-10-07 - 2025-10-09 | Online
Join edWeb for a three-day webinar series exploring research-based strategies to overcome instructional challenges, set meaningful reading goals, and celebrate the unique strengths of learners.
More details and registration information can be found here.

COABE: Embracing AI for Reading Instruction
2025-10-09 14:00 - 15:30
Busy teachers often need more time to plan lessons and find materials for teaching reading skills to students. Embracing AI can be a game changer for planning lessons and gathering materials to deliver instruction in each of the four components of reading. Participants will learn about free AI tools for teaching phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Save time and tailor instruction to meet your students’ needs with tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and more.
Register here.

Literacy MN: Teaching Intermediate Alphabetics
2025-10-10 14:00 - 16:00 | Online
Teaching intermediate alphabetics (syllables, prefixes, suffixes, root words) is a great way to help students build their decoding and comprehension skills. Come learn a variety of fun and easy-to-use routines and activities for helping intermediate-level readers develop these important tools.
Register here.

TABE and TABE CLAS-E – Using the Reports and Resources to Support Gains!
2025-10-14 12:00 - 13:30
Join Data Recognition Corporation for a webinar as we discuss TABE and TABE CLAS-E.
During the webinar we will review:

Integrating the *NEW* Instructional Strategies to Support ELL Measurable Gains
DRC INSIGHT: How to Access the Individual Profile Reports
Data Points Available for TABE and CLAS-E, and Interpreting Scores
Using the Blueprints to Prepare for Post-Testing
Best Practices for Post-Testing
Questions and Answers

Register in advance here.

DARS: Champions of Disability Employment
2025-10-15 11:00 - 12:30
Celebrate the businesses, partners, and DARS customers who have shown great passion, commitment, resilience, and courage in creating employment opportunities for individuals. Learn about resources, strategies, and hear the inspiring stories of people who have overcome multiple barriers to become self-sufficient.
Register here.

COABE: AI in Adult Education: Preparing Learners and Helping Educators for Today and Tomorrow
2025-10-17 14:00 - 15:30
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.

2025 LACES Data Training - Invitation Only
2025-10-21 - 2025-10-22 | The Arboretum, 300 Arboretum Place, Richmond, VA, 23236
By invitation only, more information is forthcoming. Please be sure to visit the LACES resource page for updates.

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.

Literacy MN: Comprehension Strategies for Intermediate-Level Readers
2025-10-27 14:00 - 16:00 | Online
Research shows that explicitly teaching a set of comprehension strategies is a great way to help intermediate-level readers maximize their understanding of texts. Come learn a handful of great comprehension tools that will help students develop critical thinking skills and comprehension skills.
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.

Literacy Minnesota: Teaching Reading Vocabulary
2025-11-03 19:30 - 21:30 | Online
Vocabulary is everyone’s favorite reading component! And helping students master reading vocabulary is a key to helping them master comprehension.
But how many words should you teach? And which words are the most important? What strategies are best for helping students learn new words? How do you get students to make new words part of their receptive and productive vocabularies? This webinar will focus on the theory and best practice behind choosing, teaching and reviewing reading vocabulary. You’ll get a chance to learn about (and practice) a variety of activities that can be done remotely or in person. Links to great online resources will also be provided.
This workshop will be most useful for instructors working with low-intermediate to advanced readers.
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

COABE: Trauma-Informed Instruction: Teaching Through Triggers and Traumas - Theirs and Yours
2025-11-07 14:00 - 15:00 | Online
Participants will learn how to teach through triggers and traumas—yours and your students’—to lead students to academic success. Research shows that past and present trauma affects our ability to learn and teach effectively. This webinar will present an accessible understanding of how the brain functions when under stress and how to regulate before you react. This knowledge combined with practical, transferable skills will improve learning, instruction, test-taking, and quality of life.
Register here.

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.

CAL: Reading Science for Multilingual Learners
2025-11-18 16:00 - 16:30 | Online
In the United States (US), bilingual or Multilingual Learners (MLLs) tend to perform at grade level on word reading or decoding. However, scientific evidence shows that they tend to struggle with reading comprehension and with building knowledge from text throughout the elementary school years. Traditionally, vocabulary instruction has been leveraged to address many of MLLs’ needs in reading comprehension, yet this does not seem to be enough to address MLLs’ needs in understanding text. In fact, the history of bilingualism research shows that bilingualism has often been perceived as detracting to learning and reading, rather than contributing to it. However, evidence from the last two decades and recent evidence point to the role that Executive Function (EF) skills might play as plausible drivers of reading comprehension in MLLs. In this webinar conversation with CAL colleagues, Ana Taboada Barber draws on existing research and her work on Executive Functions in MLLs and their English-monolingual peers to help shed light on how an asset-based approach to teaching MLLs can help broaden our understanding of their challenges with reading comprehension and knowledge-building from text.
Register here.

Literacy Minnesota: I Hear You! Effective Listening Instruction for English Language Learners
2025-11-20 19:30 - 21:30 | Virtual
Come learn how explicit listening instruction builds a foundation for literacy skills and fosters independence for language learners. This workshop will identify authentic learning tasks that English learners encounter daily, try out a variety of listening activities across multiple levels, and discuss which explicit listening strategies are used for each one. Participants will leave with ideas for listening tasks that can be used in remote or in-person instruction.
Please note that you may be asked to participate in discussion groups during the webinar. Please plan to join us from a quiet setting where you can see the PowerPoint slides and use your audio.
Register Here
