CASAS Office Hours
2025-11-21 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-12-05 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
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.

IET Office Hour
2025-12-03 12:00 - 13:15, 2026-02-04 12:00 - 13:15 | Online
Come discuss IET planning tools, IET maps, and all aspects of programming for IETs, IELCE, and workforce programming in adult education. Come with questions!
IET Office Hours will be held the first Wednesday of every month, except January, from 12p – 1:15p.
Register and join here.

NEDP: Fall Professional Learning Community (for NEDP Advisors & Assessors)
2025-12-08 16:00 - 17:00
This session will focus on using NEDP data to drive program persistence and completion.
Register here.

ProLiteracy: See What You’ve Been Missing Lunch & Learn
2025-12-11 12:00 - 12:30 | Online
Where can directors, program managers, and support staff find guidance and materials for program management, marketing and recruitment, advocacy, grants and funding, and research data?
Where can teachers find professional development, training courses, and resources for basic literacy and numeracy; CASAS®, TABE®, GED®, and HiSET® test prep; ESL and citizenship; and workforce readiness?
Join Lauren Osowski and Greg Stultz to find out what you may be missing from ProLiteracy and New Readers Press—it’s right under your nose!
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).

COABE: Expanding the Age Range for PACT Time by Discovering PACT Time Experiences for Families
2025-12-12 14:00 - 15:00 | Online
This webinar will dive into expanding the age range for PACT Time® activities by discovering a variety of experiences for children and parents of all ages. Most PACT Time resources that are available are focused on early childhood (0-8), but family literacy programming can serve families with children of any age and PACT Time activities need to reflect the age of those children. Join Allison Miller from the National Center for Families Learning to review available resources and dream up new ones!
Register here.

Literacy Minnesota: Comprehension Strategies for Intermediate-Level Readers
2025-12-15 19:30 - 21:30 | 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. Join Literacy Minnesota Training Director Rob Podlasek to 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 from a quiet setting where you can see the PowerPoint slides and use your audio. Advanced registration is required. Registration is open up until the webinar start time, but we recommend registering at least one day in advance if possible.
Register here.

COABE: Adult Education Entrepreneurship Showcase
2025-12-16 14:00 - 15:00 | Online
After graduating from the COABE Online Entrepreneurship Institute, Lynn Thompson and her team at the International Institute of Minnesota (IIM) created an 8-week entrepreneurship course for immigrants with a 98% pass rate on the U.S. Entrepreneurship Certification Examination. Join us to learn how IIM integrates English language learning with entrepreneurial concepts while supporting immigrants’ small business interests. Hear from students who recently completed the course and successfully started businesses. The IIM funding model and strategies for connecting immigrants to U.S. business resources will also be shared. Registration is now open for the COABE Online Entrepreneurship Institute PART B Business Plan that starts January 19, 2026. Part B, which costs $275 and provides 55 hours of professional development credit, can be completed before or without completing Part A.
This session is presented by Cheryl Ayers, Lynn Thompson, Carrie Mann, and Mohamed Abdinur.
Register for the webinar here.

Literacy Minnesota: How Adult Brains Learn Languages
2025-12-18 19:30 - 21:30 | Virtual
Learn what research has to say about how adult brains learn a new language, how trauma and stress impact learning, and how this influences the teaching practices that we use in the language classroom. Participants will leave the webinar with suggestions for ways teachers and tutors can apply brain-based teaching practices as we are helping adult ESL students develop their language 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

COABE: Crack the Code: 10 Game-Changing Ways to Teach Idioms & Slang!
2026-01-08 14:00 - 15:00 | Online
Author “Slangman” gives an informative and hilarious presentation on the newest slang your students are bringing into YOUR classroom. Join David Burke to find out what it all means and stay one step ahead of the game! And learn which idioms and slang your students must learn to avoid embarrassment and costly mistakes in business, achieve true fluency, and open the doors to American culture.
Register here.

EdTech Strategy Session
2026-01-09 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.

Literacy Minnesota: Teaching Reading Vocabulary
2026-01-09 14:00 - 16:00 | 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?
Join Literacy Minnesota Training Director Rob Podlasek to 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.
Please note that you may be asked to participate in discussion groups during the webinar. Please plan to join from a quiet setting where you can see the PowerPoint slides and use your audio. Advanced registration is required. Registration is open up until the webinar start time, but we recommend registering at least one day in advance if possible.
Register here.

COABE: Construction Training Grant Opportunity
2026-01-09 15:00 - 16:00 | Online
Register here
Discover how adult education can open doors to high-demand, high-wage careers in the construction industry. Join COABE and our national partner, the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), for an inspiring information session highlighting a newly launched grant opportunity designed specifically for COABE members. This session will explore how to start—or revitalize—a construction education program using NCCER’s nationally recognized curriculum and credentials, and how those credentials can strengthen alignment with local, state, and federal funding priorities. With construction among the most in-demand industries nationwide, this opportunity offers learners a pathway to meaningful careers with strong earning potential, upward mobility, and long-term stability. Participants will gain a clear understanding of program accreditation, curriculum options, instructor training, and the robust ongoing support available. We’ll also walk through what’s included in the start-up bundle, as well as program expectations and outcome requirements. Ample time will be provided for questions and discussion. Whether you are ready to launch a new construction training program or looking to reenergize trades training in your community, this grant opportunity represents a powerful chance to expand impact, meet workforce needs, and transform lives through education and skills training.

COABE: Awaken Learners’ Potential: Strategies for Transforming Math Identities for the Test and Beyond
2026-01-12 14:00 - 15:00 | Online
Uncover the transformative role of mathematical identity in learning and cognition. Learn practical strategies to empower math learners, foster confidence, and cultivate a positive math identity. Attend this webinar to gain tools to reshape learners’ negative perceptions, improve assessment outcomes, and develop a positive mathematical identity for lifelong learning.
This webinar will be presented by Cynthia Bell, MA, Director of Numeracy & Workforce Development Services at the Literacy Assistance Center.
Register here.

Literacy Minnesota: Developing and Practicing Reading Fluency
2026-01-22 19:30 - 21:30 | Online
Come and review the important role of fluency in reading instruction. Join Literacy Minnesota Training Director Rob Podlasek to 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.
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. Advanced registration is required. Registration is open up until the webinar start time, but we recommend registering at least one day in advance if possible.
Register here.

Grant Writing Tips and Tricks Workshop
2026-01-26 12:00 - 13:00
Grant Writing Tips and Tricks Workshop
Learn the Basics and How to Stand Out
Register here.
If you are interested in learning the key components of a successful grant application, how to plan your timeline, and what makes proposals stand out, this workshop is for you.
We’ll break down what makes a strong proposal, how to align with funder priorities, and the common pitfalls to avoid. You’ll walk away with practical strategies, insider tips, and real-world examples from an experienced grant writer at Virginia Works.
Whether you’re new to grant writing or looking to sharpen your skills, this session will help you write with clarity and confidence.
Strengthen your next grant application.

Bi-monthly Program Managers Meeting
2026-01-26 13:30 - 15:30
Bi-monthly virtual meeting for updates, news, and discussion for all adult education program managers.
Register and join here.

GEDTS: The Intersection of Adult Learning Theory and Universal Design
2026-01-27 15:30 - 17:00 | Virtual
Adult learners bring experiences, diverse needs, and complex realities into adult education classrooms. Understanding how adults learn—and how instructional design can support that learning—is essential for creating environments where learners can engage, persist, and succeed.

This webinar examines how Adult Learning Theory and Universal Design work together to increase learner motivation and engagement. Participants will explore adult learner behavior through an Andragogical lens and learn practical Universal Design strategies that address learner variability without lowering expectations. Grounded in real classroom experience, the session offers educators insights to improve instructional design, classroom culture, and learner support.

Register here.

CASAS Assessment Updates and Using Instructional Reports
2026-01-28 14:00 - 15:00
In this training, we provide CASAS updates, review the new test series and their alignment to the College and Career Readiness and English Language Proficiency Standards. We will review the most popular TOPSpro Enterprise instructional reports and discuss ways in which they can be used to help inform instruction.
Register here.

NCFL: Building Digital Skills and Creating Connections: Mini-Projects in Family Learning
2026-01-29 14:00 - 15:00 | Online
Want fresh ideas for helping adult English learners build real-world language and digital skills? This webinar will explore simple, engaging mini-projects that build foundational digital literacy skills. Inspired by learner input, these projects help students connect with their families, workplaces, and communities using everyday digital tools. The presentation will focus on activities that work especially well for learners with limited digital experience. Project materials can be scaffolded, adapted, and reused across a wide range of adult English classrooms. Participants will take away practical, ready-to-use ideas that connect classroom learning to real life.
Presented by Cassandra Kramer, an ESL instructor with the English Empowerment Center in northern Virginia.
Register here

VALRC - Citizenship: Changes and Challenges Webinar
2026-01-29 15:00 - 16:00 | Online
Join this informational webinar to learn about the recent changes to the civics test of the USCIS Naturalization Interview. These changes apply to all applicants who have submitted their naturalization application after October 18, 2025. Catherine McCall, Citizenship Coordinator of Literacy Volunteers of Charlottesville/Albemarle (LVCA), will facilitate this webinar.
Catherine McCall serves as the lead designer for all citizenship materials at LVCA. She brings a decade of experience in Social Studies teacher education to this work, along with nearly as many years designing materials and teaching citizenship classes to adult learners, in both Charlottesville and the Washington DC area.
Register here

Career Pathways PLC #1: Career Coaching and Supporting Learners for What’s Next
2026-01-30 12:00 - 13:30
Join us for this five-part series on Career Coaching for adult learners. Part I: Celeste Hall from the Virginia Community College System will facilitate sessions one and two, focusing on the theories and strategies that support career coaching. Part II: Sessions three through five will be facilitated by Dr. Barbara Endel and will focus what it means to be an effective career coach, including intervention strategies, career pathways mapping, and establishing sustainable networks to support learners.
Register and join here.

IET 101: The Basics, Register by January 31 to receive the pre-work materials
2026-02-04 13:30 - 14:30
Register here for IET 101: The Basics by January 31 to receive pre-work materials.
This session runs from 1:30p – 2:30p on Wednesday, February 4.

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

Virginia Adult Education Competitive Grant Pre-Proposal Webinar
2026-02-12 13:00 - 14:00
Register here

VALRC: Using Technology to Enhance Reading Instruction PLC
2026-02-12 14:30 - 15:30 | Online
SkillBlox is a free platform that contains over 10,000 vetted, high-quality, free and open educational resources you can use to build engaging lessons in a variety of subjects. In this 2-part workshop, we’ll explore a growing set of ready-to-go lessons (“Blox”) that you can easily save, copy, and adapt for use with your learners.
In part 1, you’ll learn the basics of how to explore SkillBlox for Blox created by other users, as well as how you can copy and adapt these Blox by adding activities, contextualizing content for your learning context, and more.
In part 2, participants will come together to showcase their work and share strategies and tips for how they used and adapted lessons from SkillBlox. Participants will also learn how to create custom pages to build lesson sets to share with learners or other instructors.
Register here.

Career Pathways PLC #2: Career Coaching and Supporting Learners for What’s Next
2026-02-13 12:00 - 13:30

VALRC: Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in Practice
2026-02-17 13:00 - 14:00 | Online
UDL in Practice is a 3-part series that introduces adult educators to practical strategies for designing inclusive learning experiences.
Part 1 will focus on the principle of engagement. Part 2 will focus on the principle of representation. Part 3 will focus on the principle of action and expression.

Register here.
