ACES / Transitions

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The goal of ACES (Academic, Career & Employability Skills) is to support instructors in teaching the hard-to-define, yet make-or-break skills needed to succeed in the workplace, college, and community.

Transitions Integration Framework (TIF)

The Transitions Integration Framework (TIF) is the cornerstone of ACES, and it is one of three documents comprising the state-adopted content standards for Minnesota Adult Education. Visit the CCR Standards page to see how ACES fits into the broader content standards for ABE, including the College & Career Readiness Standards for Adult Education (CCRS).

The TIF was designed to provide ABE programs and instructors with guidance on the effective integration of transitions skills (also known as soft skills or professional skills) into instruction at all levels of ABE.

The TIF includes six categories of skills:

  1. Critical Thinking
  2. Developing a Future Pathway
  3. Effective Communication
  4. Learning Strategies
  5. Navigating Systems
  6. Self-Management

Want more information on implementing the TIF in your own practice? Check out the ACES resource library!

Webinars & Workshops

Facilitated by the ACES Coordinator and Minnesota ABE teachers and administrators statewide, webinars are offered throughout the year to keep adult educators up to speed on ACES work and keep these important transitions skills fresh in educators’ minds. To increase their applicability, ACES webinars are often combined with other content areas and initiatives, such as the College & Career Readiness Standards (CCRS), Northstar Digital Literacy, and adult career pathways.

ATLAS also offers ACES-related workshops at Fall and Spring Regionals across Minnesota.

For information on upcoming opportunities, check the Events calendar.

Online Courses

ACES/TIF Foundations Online Course

This free online course on the Canvas platform provides a thorough introduction on how to integrate academic, career, and employability skills (ACES) into your instructional context through the use of the Transitions Integration Framework (TIF). Participants can earn 6 CEUs for successful completion of the course.

Study Circles

ACES Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)

ACES professional learning communities (PLCs) provide teachers with the opportunity to examine their roles as adult educators in a “transitions” landscape; explore and practice integrating transitions (TIF) skills into their lessons, materials and instructional settings; and work collaboratively with colleagues to reflect on and develop their teaching practice.

New ACES Resources

ACES Foundations Online Course

This free online course on the Canvas platform provides an introduction to ACES (Academic, Career and Employability Skills) and the TIF (Transitions Integration Framework). Participants can complete the entire course or access specific topics for a refresher, and can earn 6 CEUs for successful completion of all lesson reviews in the course.

ACES Foundations Webinar Series Recordings

The ACES Foundations at a Distance webinar series was created to complement the ACES Foundations online course, giving participants a more supported and cohort-like experience. These webinars are archived in the YouTube playlist linked here.

ACES Foundations Online Course

This free online course on the Canvas platform provides a thorough introduction on how to integrate academic, career, and employability skills (ACES) into your instructional context through the use of the Transitions Integration Framework (TIF). Participants can earn 6 CEUs for successful completion of the course.
ACES

ACES Resource Library »

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Latest ACES/Transitions Articles

Information/Media Literacy: More Important Than Ever!

Don't believe everything you read! Information is coming at our students at a very rapid pace from many different sources. With that in mind, it is more important than ever to give them the strategies and tools to effectively analyze and evaluate all of this data. Read More

Unlocking Safe Food Handling: Navigating Minnesota’s Certified Food Protection Manager Requirements

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) oversees the Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) program, setting rigorous standards to uphold food safety. Aspiring CFPMs must complete an accredited training course and pass an approved certification exam to earn the credential. Read more about this potential credential for your ACP. Read More

Upcoming ABE Events

January 8, 2025 6:30 pm–8:30 pm
Literacy Minnesota
Online

Volunteer Core Training Module 1: Overview of Minnesota Adult Education and Program Accountability

Online

Registration Deadline: WED. 1/8/25 Participants learn about Adult Basic Education programming in Minnesota, demographics of learners, instructional content standards as well as initial and on-going assessment. This session wraps up with learner motivations, barriers and persistence. Learn More

Online
January 13, 2025 2:00 pm–3:30 pm
ATLAS
Online

Transitions 101 Webinar

Online

Registration Deadline: MON. 1/13/2025 Attend this webinar to hear the basics of what is meant by “Transitions” in adult education. ATLAS will provide an overview of relevant work and professional learning options around adult career pathways, IET, transitions to post-secondary entry, and more!  … Learn More

Online
January 13, 2025 6:30 pm–8:30 pm
Literacy Minnesota
Online

Teaching Reading Vocabulary

Online

Registration Deadline: MON. 1/13/25 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?… Learn More

Online