ABE, ACES, and CCRS Foundations Online Courses All on Canvas: New and Improved!

We are so excited that our revamped online ABE, ACES, and CCRS Foundations courses are up and running on Canvas! All of these courses have revised content, more opportunities for interaction, and the most updated information to support your work in the MN Adult Education system.

ABE Foundations Course

Note the state training requirement for ABE Foundations: The current Staff Training Policy states that you are required to complete ABE Foundations (in-person or via this online course) within the first 12 months of hire.

Since Summer Institute is virtual in 2024 (and this is where we often offer ABE Foundations in person), taking the Canvas course is a great option.

Been in ABE for a while?! No problem! It’s still worth signing up for the course to have the most updated information available for your reference.

Enroll in ABE Foundations >>

Some highlights of the ABE Foundations update include:

• More user-friendly and engaging layout and presentation of content.
• The most recent policies and figures (funding, contact hour rates, statistics)
• Additional content on distance learning and adult career pathways.
• Updated professional development opportunities that reflect the latest adult education initiatives in MN.

ABE Foundations at a Distance webinar series

Please note! If you prefer to have some support as you work through the modules and have some live interaction, ABE Foundations at a Distance is coming up this fall. This is a 3-part webinar series that provides a guided, connected way to complete the ABE Foundations online course content in a short, defined timeframe with colleagues. It also provides space for asking questions, sharing successes and challenges related to their current work; and to meet and network, and form relationships with ABE leaders and fellow practitioners in the state.

The fall 2024 ABE Foundations at a Distance webinar series runs October 1, 8, and 22, from 2:00-3:30pm each time.

Register for webinar series >>

ACES Foundations Course

The ACES/TIF Foundations course is also available on Canvas. This course is designed to provide 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). The TIF identifies key skills our adult students need for successful transitions to college, career, employment, and community involvement. This course is useful for teachers who are new to ABE in Minnesota and those who might not be familiar with ACES/TIF.

Enroll in ACES Foundations >>

The TIF is broken into six categories:

• Effective Communication
• Learning Strategies
• Critical Thinking
• Self-Management
• Developing a Future Pathway
• Navigating Systems

These skills are sometimes referred to as soft skills. But don’t let the word soft fool you. These skills are essential in the life of an adult learner. Incorporating lessons that involve these skills at any level of the ABE classroom will ensure that your learners have the necessary skills to successfully transition to training, work, or post secondary opportunities. It can be hard work to incorporate these skills into our daily work, but the ACES/TIF Foundations course will help you get started.

ACES Foundations webinar series

Also, if you would like some company as you work through the modules, the ACES Foundations Webinar Series is coming up late this fall! This is a 3-part webinar series that provides a guided, connected way to complete the ACES Foundations online course content in a short, defined timeframe with colleagues.

The fall 2024 ACES Foundations Webinar Series runs November 1, 14, and 26 from 2:00-3:30pm each time. Registration will open in the fall.

CCRS Foundations Course

And finally, the CCRS Foundations course, an introduction to the College and Career Readiness Standards, is also available on Canvas!

Enroll in CCRS Foundations >>

Some highlights of the CCRS Foundations update include:

For ELA:

• • New sections on productive struggle, pre-teaching & scaffolding complex text, creating and using text sets and building instruction around an essential question.
  • Invitations to pause in each module with questions to reflect on your instruction and context.

For math:

• • An updated template for Making Sense of a Standard, including a video presentation of an example.
  • A knowledge check of content in CCRS Levels A-E that incorporates the shift of Coherence.
  • Reflection prompts that require analyzing similarities and differences between the 8 math practices.

For both ELA and math content:

• • Video explanations of the CCRS Blue Book (ELA & math standards) and Math Content Progressions Document.
  • Opportunities to complete some activities at your choice of CCRS Levels.
  • Additional, updated resources/activity ideas to use in instruction and many more examples of incorporating the shifts, practices and standards.
  • A Padlet full of CCRS resources at your fingertips!

As always, participants will receive individualized feedback from the course facilitators and CEUs for completion. If you’ve already completed CCRS Foundations for ELA and/or math in person or online, we encourage you to check out the new content.

CCRS Refresher webinar

Join ATLAS Staff and colleagues for a CCRS Refresher webinar as we take some time to refresh on key components of CCRS Foundations. This webinar is for any teacher, coordinator, administrator, or program leader who would like to brush up on their CCRS Foundations knowledge. You will have the option to join an ELA breakout group or a math breakout group.

The fall 2024 CCRS Refresher webinar will take place on Monday, October 14, from 2:00-4:00pm. Registration will open in the fall.