Dev Ed/ABE Toolkit: Additional Resources

Minnesota and Other Resources Related to
Adult Education, College Transition, and Developmental Education

• ATLAS (ABE Teaching & Learning Advancement System), housed in the Hamline University School of Education and Leadership, is funded by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) to provide high-quality, accessible professional development and resources to advance education for adult learners. Check out the website for events and resources.
• I-BEST Program Model: The Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (I-BEST) Program is a strategy developed by the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, in conjunction with the state’s community and technical colleges, designed to speed the transition to college and careers for adult basic skills students by pairing basic skills and career–technical instructors in the classroom so that students gain basic and occupational skills simultaneously.

A) Although written many years ago, the I-BEST Program Model is the closest model found to the Minnesota Dev Ed/ABE model. This report contains valuable research outcomes from all 34 of the community and technical colleges in the Washington State system.

“Contextualized College Transition Strategies for Adult Basic Skills Students: Learning from Washington State’s I-BEST Program Model,” Community College Research Center. By John Wachen, Davis Jenkins, Clive Belfield, and Michelle Van Noy with Amanda Richards and Kristen Kulongoski. December 2012.

B) I-BEST Team Teaching Models. Team and overlapping teaching where both instructors work as a collaborative team to design and deliver the program is at the heart of the I-BEST Program model. Here you will find six research-based strategies, evidence-based theory, video samples of effective instruction, and curricula samples and/or links. The resources in this section can function as a self-directed learning module or as the basis for group instruction.

C) I-BEST Video Series. Various collaborative teaching models are explored and explained in these videos, including traditional and collaborative team teaching, parallel and differentiated team teaching, complementary/supportive and monitoring team teaching.

• International Institute of Minnesota College Readiness Academy. The College Readiness Academy (CRA) is a no-cost program that provides college preparation to New Americans and others who are not yet ready for college and would like additional support navigating higher education.
• Lumina Foundation “All Learning Counts: Creating New Paths to College Credit,” by Julie Johnson and Wendy Sedlak. June 8, 2022.
• Minnesota Adult Education website. Adult Basic Education (ABE) is a state-wide system that serves adults who are working towards a high school credential, learning English, improving basic skills such as literacy and math, and/or preparing for post-secondary education or employment. ABE is funded with both federal and state funds, and services are delivered through a network of 39 consortia comprising all Minnesota school districts as well as other partners including the correctional system and community-based organizations. Key ABE Contact List.
• Minnesota State: All Learning Counts: Begun as a planning team for a system grant from the Lumina Foundation, the All Learning Counts (ALC) Leadership Team is a cross-department and multi-agency group, representative of Minnesota State colleges and universities, as well as partners in workforce training, adult basic education, and others who work and advocate for under-represented adult learners. The Strategic Partnership staff are continuing innovation work to make college accessible for adult learners in the East Twin Cities Metro region with a grant from the 3M Foundation. Contact: [email protected].
• Minnesota State: Overcoming the Math Barrier: The Case for Math Pathways. Sarah Bustrom, Lake Superior College, Jenny Joa, Hennepin Technical College, Katie Smieja, St. Could Technical and Community College. June 25, 2020.
• Minnesota State: Summer Scholars Academy. A Minnesota State program designed to be a free alternative to developmental education courses, saving students time and money. Summer Scholars Academy is intended to ease the transition to college life by providing students with opportunities to network with peers and building confidence as a scholar.