Resources

WebChat with MN ABE – September 16th, 2026

Topics included: - Adult Education and Family Literacy Week - Adult Education Report Card - Grants and Finance updates - Transitions updates - Upcoming PD opportunities

2026 AEFL Week Toolkit

LAN proudly recognizes AEFL Week from September 14th to the 18th, a time to recognize the transformative impact of adult education on learners, families, and communities. Share and educate about who we are, what we do, and who we serve. Use our collection of resources to help promote Adult Education!

WebChat with MN ABE – July 22nd, 2026

Topics include: Accountability / Program Performance and Data, August Reporting Submission, Grants and Funding updates, Fall Manger Meeting planning and input, MN State–Adult Education partnership updates

WebChat with MN ABE – May 6, 2026

Topics Include: - Information and guidance on the Annual ABE Grant Application for Fiscal Year 26–27 - Update on statewide contact hours - Professional Development opportunities

ABE Advocacy Week Toolkit

This year, in lieu of Day on the Hill, we’re encouraging programs to connect with their legislators locally. Our Advocacy Toolkit includes resources to help you schedule meetings, support students in writing letters, and share your advocacy using ready-made social media graphics. Participants can be entered into a drawing to win t-shirts for their entire class!

WebChat with MN ABE – February 18th, 2026

Topics include: Federal funding update, as available, State WIOA Plan revision, HSE Subsidy status, Contact hour year-over-year comparison, Grant updates, Transitions updates, Upcoming Professional Development opportunities.

Support Network Providers

MN Adult Education Support Network providers can help ABE professionals:

Find resources and support for serving students with disabilities – PANDA (pandamn.org)
Learn about upcoming professional development opportunities – ATLAS (atlasABE.org)
Find out about Minnesota Adult Education’s professional organization – Literacy Action Network (literacyactionnetwork.org)
Get training on the assessments used in ABE – Southwest ABE (mnabeassessment.com)
Learn about how to utilize volunteers in ABE programs – Literacy Minnesota (literacymn.org)
Get support in integrating technology into the ABE classroom – Literacy Minnesota (literacymn.org)
Implement and use distance learning (DL) in ABE programs – Literacy Minnesota (mnabe-distancelearning.org)

ATLAS (ABE Teaching & Learning Advancement System)

Through ATLAS, all MN Adult Education practitioners have access to high-quality professional development (PD) opportunities, with options for in-person events as well as online offerings. Key activities include regional events throughout Minnesota; ABE Foundations; STAR (Student Achievement in Reading) and EBRI (Evidence-Based Reading Instruction); language & literacy PD, including adult ESL, reading and writing; math/numeracy PD; Adult Career Pathways support; ACES (Academic, Career, and Employability Skills); one-room schoolhouse PD; and support for implementation of the College & Career Readiness Standards (CCRS) for Adult Education.

ATLAS

Literacy Minnesota

Literacy Minnesota promotes and supports the use of volunteers in adult education programs, specifically through volunteer recruitment, training, and placement. In addition, Literacy Minnesota provides technology support for ABE professionals and volunteers, and supports managers and instructors in building quality distance learning (DL) opportunities based on established best practices. DL experts also vet DL platforms for statewide use, coordinate DL policy and procedures, and communicate DL information to the ABE field via newsletter articles and more.

Literacy Minnesota

Minnesota Association of Workforce Boards

The Minnesota Association of Workforce Boards (MAWB) provides linkages for ABE programs to the MN workforce education and training systems, such as Workforce Centers and post-secondary institutions. MAWB represents the cooperative efforts of 16 area workforce councils across the state, and their website is the go-to online source for regional and local workforce development board (LWDB) plans, WIOA resources, the Governor’s workforce development council, and more.

MN Association Workforce Board

PANDA: Minnesota ABE Physical And Nonapparent Disability Assistance

PANDA equips Minnesota ABE teachers, program managers, and volunteers with training, disability awareness, and resources to positively impact students with disabilities. PANDA provides a comprehensive disabilities website; workshops at state and regional events; an Adult Learner Intervention program; phone and email consultations; an assistive technology/loan program; and connections to community resources.

PANDA

Southwest Adult Basic Education

Southwest ABE provides training to MN ABE staff on ABE assessment tools (including CASAS and TABE), supports innovative GED activities, and provides reimbursements for learning disability assessments for ABE students seeking GED accommodations. They host the annual ABE Support Services Conference for ABE support staff. In addition, Southwest ABE manages the Racial Equity in Adult Education grant, which seeks to identify and alleviate current inequities within MN Adult Education, to benefit ALL students that we serve. You can learn more about Southwest ABE at https://www.southwestabe.org/

South West ABE Assessments