Resources

WebChat with MN ABE – July 12th, 2023

Topics Include: - August reporting submission - State aid calculation and service disruption - Training costs and federal funding - Staff training policy - NRS Testing

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