Minnesota Adult Basic Education Staff Development
For Staff
Statewide and regional staff development for ABE educators is typically provided by Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Adult Basic Education staff using federal ABE funds and state ABE supplemental services funds. The ABE Professional Development Specialist at MDE coordinates the professional development system for ABE.
Regional Professional Development
Regional professional development coordinators oversee professional development (PD) events for nine regions in the state. The regional coordinators emphasize staff development activities which support MDE priority content areas and promote best practices to improve student and system performance.
Supplemental Services
By law, two percent of the state ABE appropriation may support supplemental services. The purpose of the statewide supplemental services grant program is to provide assistance to all approved ABE programs for activities such as staff development, volunteer training, low incidence needs, and technological innovation through the funding of programs which can deliver these services effectively and in a cost-efficient manner. By funding organizations and programs that specialize in the delivery of such supplemental services, expertise and capacity building can be shared with all Minnesota ABE programs.
Supplemental Service Providers
The following organizations are providing supplemental services for 2009-10:
Minnesota Literacy Council (MLC) www.theMLC.org
MLC recruits, trains, and supports volunteers in their work with adult students, provides resources and support to volunteer literacy programs, and provides ABE professionals and volunteers with resources, information, and tools to use technology effectively in the classroom.
ABE Teaching & Learning Advancement System (ATLAS) www.hamline.edu/atlas
ATLAS brings Hamline University faculty expertise in adult and ESL teacher education to provide best practice resources and professional development to Adult Basic Education teachers, staff and administrators through regional and statewide activities.
Learning Disabilities Association Minnesota (LDA) www.ldaminnesota.org
LDA offers free learning disability assessments and ADHD assessments to students referred by Minnesota ABE programs. They also provide a variety of professional development related to learning disabilities and reading instruction.
Physical and Neurological Disabilities Assistance (PANDA) Lori Leininger, PANDA Coordinator, lori_leininger@rdale.org
PANDA equips Minesota ABE teachers, program managers, and volunteers with training, disability awareness, and resources to positively impact adult students with physical and neurological disabilities.
Southwest Adult Basic Education www.mnabeassessment.com
Southwest ABE provides training to Minnesota ABE staff on ABE assessment tools.
Communication Service for the Deaf of Minnesota (CSD) www.c-s-d.org
CSD provides ABE instruction for students who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Minnesota Workforce Council Association (MWCA) www.mncounties3.org/mwca
MWCA provides linkages for ABE programs to the Minnesota workforce education and training systems, such as post-secondary institutions and Workforce Centers, and initiatives, such as the Minnesota Sector Partnership.
St. Paul Adult Basic Education
St. Paul ABE provides coordination, training and curriculum development for the National Work Readiness Credential (NWRC) and the CASAS-based Essential Skills Certificate (ESC).