ATLAS ABE

Volunteer Core Training Module 3: Instructional Best Practices: Working with Learners
2025-08-18 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | Online
Registration Deadline: MON. 8/18/25
Venue: Online (see details below)

Participants learn how to apply teaching practices that support language and skill development for all learners. These practices include ensuring that instruction is learner centered, using an appropriate level of teacher talk and delivering error correction.

Volunteer Core Training Module 4: Instructional Best Practices: Working with Materials
2025-08-25 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: MON. 8/25/25
Venue: Online (see details below)

Participants will engage in a couple of classroom activities to experience scaffolding, checking comprehension and the gradual release of responsibility. These aspects of teaching and tutoring are then defined, explained further and participants get opportunities to practice them.

CASAS Implementation for New Staff (Virtual)
2025-08-27 09:00 - 12:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: WED. 8/27/25
Venue: Online (see details below)

Join your state trainers virtually for a CASAS Implementation training for new staff. This training provides an overview of the approved CASAS tests. It will cover selection and administration of the appropriate CASAS test, interpretation of test scores, and measurement of student progress. This training is geared toward new users of the assessments. Participants who complete this training will be certified to administer CASAS multiple choice assessments.

TABE Implementation for New Staff (Virtual)
2025-08-27 13:00 - 16:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: WED. 8/27/25
Venue: Online (see details below)

Join your state trainers virtually for TABE Implementation for New Staff. This training provides an overview of approved TABE tests. It will cover selection and administration of the appropriate level test, interpretation of test scores, and measurement of student progress. This training is geared toward newer users of the assessments. Participants who complete this training will be certified to administer TABE multiple choice assessments.

Teaching Intermediate Alphabetics
2025-09-04 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: THU. 9/4/25
Venue: Online (see details below)

Teaching intermediate alphabetics (syllables, prefixes, suffixes, root words) is a great way to help students build their decoding and comprehension skills. Come learn a variety of fun and easy-to-use routines and activities for helping intermediate-level readers develop these important tools

CCRS Foundations Refresher Webinar
2025-09-09 14:00 - 16:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: TUE. 9/9/25

INFORMATIONAL FLYER>>

Join us as we take a moment 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.
Ask yourself:

Do I remember the math shifts and the standards for mathematical practice, and the difference between them? Do I remember what the three aspects of Rigor are and why they are important?*
Do I remember how to measure text complexity, both qualitatively and quantitatively? Do I remember the progression of text dependent questions that is outlined by Fisher and Frey?*

We will be refreshing on these topics and more!
* Please note: You will have the option to join an ELA breakout group or a math breakout group during the webinar.
If you require ASL interpretation, please contact Gail Rutan at grutan01@hamline.edu

Administrator Webinar Series (2-part series)
2025-09-10 13:00 - 14:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: Day of event
Join us for a two-part webinar series for Minnesota Adult Education administrators focused on leadership, program improvement, and state/federal priorities. Whether you’re new or experienced, you’ll gain practical tools, timely updates, and opportunities to connect with peers across the state.

Webinar 1: WED. 9/10/25 – REGISTER
The first webinar in a 2-part Administrator Webinar Series is focused on Building Student Leaders and Incorporating Student Voices into Program Decisions. Hear directly from a panel of Adult Education programs that are putting these ideas into practice—from student councils to peer-led initiatives. You’ll walk away with real examples, fresh ideas, and the chance to share your own experiences. If your program values student leadership, this is a can’t-miss event!
Webinar 2: NEW DATE! (changed from 1/21/26) TUE. 3/3/26 – REGISTER
Planning & Budgeting for the Coming Year: In this annual budgeting webinar, Minnesota Department of Education leaders Brad Hasskamp and Jodi Versaw will kick off the conversation by breaking down the core components of ABE funding, including federal vs. state funding streams, funding formula, contact-hour rates, and other key terms. Then participants will have time to share strategies and concerns regarding their upcoming FY27 budgets. This webinar is appropriate for new and experienced Adult Education Managers alike, with the goal of clarifying the fundamentals and offering practical insights. Join us for this conversation!

Comprehension Strategies for Intermediate-Level Readers
2025-09-15 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: MON. 9/15/25
Venue: Online (see details below)

Research shows that explicitly teaching a set of comprehension strategies is a great way to help intermediate-level readers maximize their understanding of texts. Come learn a handful of great comprehension tools that will help students develop critical thinking skills and comprehension skills.

TABE Implementation for New Staff (Virtual)
2025-09-17 09:00 - 12:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: WED. 9/17/25
Venue: Online (see details below)

Join your state trainers virtually for a TABE Implementation for New Staff. This training provides an overview of approved TABE tests. It will cover selection and administration of the appropriate level test, interpretation of test scores, and measurement of student progress. This training is geared toward newer users of the assessments. Participants who complete this training will be certified to administer TABE multiple choice assessments.

WebChat with MN ABE
2025-09-17 13:00 - 14:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: WED. 9/17/25
Venue: Online (see details below)

WebChat with MN ABE is a webinar discussion led by state ABE staff from the Minnesota Department of Education. Web Chat webinars provide updates from the state ABE office on new and emerging issues and an opportunity for local ABE staff to ask questions and provide information to the Minnesota Adult Ed state team.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
If you need ASL interpretation for this event, please contact Wendy Lindblom at info@literacyactionnetwork.org by Monday, September 1, 2025.

Topics will include:

Adult Education and Family Literacy Week
Adult Education Report Card
Grants and Finance updates
Transitions updates
Upcoming PD opportunities

For those unable to attend, the meeting and materials will be available on the Literacy Action Network website after the meeting.

Teaching Reading Vocabulary
2025-09-24 13:00 - 15:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: WED. 9/24/25
Venue: Online (see details below)

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? How do you get students to make new words part of their receptive and productive vocabularies? This webinar will focus on the theory and best practice behind choosing, teaching and reviewing reading vocabulary. You’ll get a chance to learn about (and practice) a variety of activities that can be done remotely or in person. Links to great online resources will also be provided.
This workshop will be most useful for instructors working with low-intermediate to advanced readers.

SiD: Fall Data Cleanup 2025
2025-09-25 09:00 - 10:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: THU. 9/25/25
Venue: Online (see details below)

Join us for this interactive session where you’ll learn practical strategies to keep your data clean all year long – so year-end reporting is quick and easy! We’ll tackle some of the most common user questions and guide you through running SiD reports using your own program data.

Designed for anyone who maintains SiD data – managers, coordinators, data entry staff, and teachers.

Introduction to MobyMax
2025-09-26 09:30 - 11:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: FRI. 9/26/25
Venue: Online (see details below)

This is a beginner-level training for anyone new to using MobyMax (or anyone who would like a refresher). The training will provide a general overview of the platform and cover essential tasks for teachers and support staff, including managing your student roster and licenses, creating groups and shared classes, adjusting module settings, creating assignments, monitoring progress, and proxy hour reporting.

Audience: Teachers, administrators, and support staff who use (or are interested in using) MobyMax for distance learning
Do I need a MobyMax teacher account to attend this session? Yes, it will be very helpful to know your login credentials before attending this session. You can request a state-supported account here under “Key Information.” You should also discuss with your coordinator/manager how MobyMax student licenses are managed at your site.
How do I join the session? Register here, then look for an email from “MNABE Staff” with a Zoom link.
Accommodations: To request ASL interpretation or other accommodations, please email the DL help desk.
Will there be a recording? Yes! The recording will be posted on the MN Adult Education PD YouTube channel.

Ready, Set, IET!
2025-09-30 13:00 - 16:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: TUE. 9/30/25
FLYER
Join us on September 30, 1–4 p.m. for a dynamic afternoon focused on Integrated Education & Training (IET). Whether you’re new to IET or ready to refine your approach, you’ll gain valuable insights from:

IET 101 for foundational understanding
SSLOs (Single Set of Learning Objectives) deep dive
Panel discussion with experienced practitioners

We’ll wrap up by preparing for upcoming IET coaching opportunities—covering expectations, sharing the interest form, and answering your questions. Open to IELCE grantees and all adult educators interested in IET.

Developing and Practicing Reading Fluency
2025-09-30 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: TUE. 9/30/25
Venue: Online (see details below)

Come and review the important role of fluency in reading instruction. We will discuss the three key components of reading fluency and look at a variety of activities tutors and teachers can try. We will talk about the mechanics of doing fluency practice via Zoom, Google Meet, Teams or any other remote tutoring tool (including the phone!). Participants will have plenty of opportunity to ask questions and share resources.
This workshop will be most useful for instructors working with low-intermediate to advanced readers.

Digital Learning Institute
2025-10-03 09:00 - 15:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: FRI. 10/3/25
Venue: Online (see details below)

This FREE professional development event will support adult education staff and volunteers in building awareness and expertise around distance and digital learning. The DL Institute is for everyone – teachers, volunteers, administrators, support staff – and will include sessions for participants at all levels of technical skill and confidence.
Topics will include:

Distance & Blended Learning Basics for Minnesota Adult Education – Participants who attend all four sessions can fulfill this training requirement for staff involved with distance learning.
Starting, sustaining, and growing your distance learning programming
Distance learning platforms
Digital literacy and resilience
Technology tools and routines
Networking and building community among digital literacy practitioners

Additional information:

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email from “MNABE Staff” with a link to join the opening session. Links to subsequent sessions will be provided in a flyer, which will be shared closer to the event.
To request accommodations (ASL interpretation, etc.), please contact the DL helpdesk.
Most sessions will be recorded and shared on the MN ABE PD YouTube channel.

Racial Equity 101 Presented by Jimmie Heags
2025-10-06 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: MON. 10/6/25
Venue: Online (see details below)

Join presenter Jimmie Heags, Jr., MA, LSC, LPCC, LADC, ACS, for this session that exposes how race is defined and how racism impacts individuals and institutions. The session will provide learners with a framework for understanding and disrupting the attitudes and structures that perpetuate inequality. Participants will be introduced to basic interventions to identify and disrupt racialized mindsets and practices that promote equity. Interventions will include how to be an anti-racist.
Objectives include the following:

Define the nature of race and racism and their origins and impact.
Examine the concepts of white privilege and white fragility.
Understand the nature of microaggressions and their impact.
Develop interventions for disrupting racist mindsets.

North ABE Fall 2025 Regional Conference - IN-PERSON: Bemidji, MN
2025-10-09 14:00 - 19:30, 2025-10-10 08:00 - 15:00 | South Shore Hotel & Conference Center – Bemidji, 1019 Paul Bunyan Dr S, Bemidji, MN, MN, 56601, United States
FINAL REGISTRATION DEADLINE: FRI. 10/3/25
HOTEL REQUEST DEADLINE: Is Past Due – please make a reservation on your own, if needed.
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION DEADLINE: WED. 10/1/2025
LATE REGISTRATION DEADLINE: FRI. 10/3/2025 at 5:00 pm (CST) NOTE: Additional late fee of $20 applies after 10/1
FY26 FLYER-NORTH ABE FALL 2025 REGIONAL
Hotel Accommodations: A discounted guest room block at the SouthShore Hotel on Lake Bemidji is being held for ATLAS until TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30. All rooms must be requested through the ATLAS Registration Form for Participants and Presenters by TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30. You will not be able to secure a guest room at the discounted rate of $119 by calling or contacting the hotel directly for these dates or rates.
COST:

$35 for both Thursday and Friday (get Thursday for free!)
$35 for Friday only
$20 for Thursday only
$20 late fee will be incurred for registrations submitted after Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at 5:00 pm (CST)

PAYMENT:
Need to pay for multiple registrations at once? Or need to pay for a registration that was already submitted?

By credit card/PayPal: Have your staff mark “Please bill my organization” when registering, and use this payment form.
By organizational check/PO: Have your staff mark “Please bill my organization” when registering, and ATLAS will invoice your program. Please do not send checks until you are invoiced.

TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT:
In addition to covering lodging expenses directly with the hotel, ATLAS will again reimburse North ABE programs or individuals for mileage over 50 miles one-way to and from the venue. Simply submit an ATLAS invoice (and Form W-9 if applicable) after the event. Please direct any questions to Eva Kovacs Zewdie, ATLAS Grant & Budget Coordinator ezewdie01@hamline.edu

SCHEDULE
Thursday, October 9 – 2:00 pm – 7:30 pm (note 2 pm start time)
2-4:30 pm – Afternoon Session: Using AI in Reading Instruction
5:00-6:00 pm – Light Dinner
6:00-7:30 pm – Concurrent Session 1
Friday, October 10 – 8:00 am-3:00 pm
8:15 – 8:45 am – Welcome & General Session
9:00 – 10:30 am – Concurrent Session 2
10:45 – 12:15 pm – Concurrent Session 3
12:15 – 1:15 pm – Lunch
1:15 – 2:45 pm – Concurrent Session 4
If you require ASL Interpretation, please contact Gail Rutan at grutan01@hamline.edu

Teaching Intermediate Alphabetics
2025-10-10 13:00 - 15:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: FRI. 10/10/25
Venue: Online (see details below)

Teaching intermediate alphabetics (syllables, prefixes, suffixes, root words) is a great way to help students build their decoding and comprehension skills. Come learn a variety of fun and easy-to-use routines and activities for helping intermediate-level readers develop these important tools.

Integrated Pronunciation Instruction for Increased Intelligibility Presented by Suzanne Gilchrist McCurdy
2025-10-20 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: MON. 10/20/25
Venue: Online (see details below)

Effective pronunciation instruction that prioritizes intelligibility can greatly support learners both inside and outside the classroom. Yet, many teachers struggle to identify which pronunciation features to focus on and how to seamlessly integrate them into their lessons. This session will help participants refine their pronunciation diagnostic skills, determine key pronunciation features to address, and explore practical ways to incorporate pronunciation instruction into everyday classroom activities.

Volunteer Core Training Module 1: Overview of Minnesota Adult Education and Program Accountability
2025-10-22 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: WED. 10/22/25
Venue: Online (see details below)

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.

Fall Manager Meeting
2025-10-23 09:00 - 15:00 | Jimmy’s Event Center, 3565 Labore Rd, Vadnais Heights, MN, 55110, United States
Registration Deadline: WED. 10/8/25
Venue: Jimmy’s Event Center (see details below)

The 2025 Fall Manager Meeting will be held on Thursday, October 23 from 9:00 am–3:00 pm. The target audience for this event is adult education managers, coordinators, administrators, and other program leaders. Because the focus of this meeting will be on collaborative problem solving and sharing around priority topics in the Minnesota Adult Education system, this will be an IN-PERSON ONLY event.
We strongly encourage every adult education consortium to have representation at this meeting.
If you need ASL interpretation for this event, please contact Wendy Lindblom at info@literacyactionnetwork.org by October 2.
Details:
Date: Thursday, October 23, 2025
Time: 9:00 am–3:00 pm (doors open at 8:00 am with a continental breakfast and networking time)
Location: Jimmy’s Event Center (3565 Labore Road, Vadnais Heights, MN 55110)
Food: Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided
Lodging information:
Holiday Inn Express (Vadnais Heights, MN)
P: (651) 484-2400
Group: Literacy Action Network
Rate: $109.00/room (not including taxes) — breakfast included
Room Block: Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Note: Literacy Action Network will reimburse mileage and lodging costs for those traveling 100 miles or more round trip. If you have questions about reimbursements and/or lodging, please contact Wendy Lindblom at info@literacyactionnetwork.org.

Support Staff Coffee Break - Best Practices for Intake for Beginning Literacy Learners (Virtual)
2025-10-24 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: FRI. 10/24/25
Venue: Online (see details below)

The Support Staff Online Coffee Break Series returns with Rebecca Jarvis (Metro South) sharing the work of a task force of experienced adult educators who focused on Beginning ESL Literacy learners. The task force addressed concerns and made recommendations surrounding intake, placement, and testing practices for these learners. The specific focus was students who do not read or write in their first language and are new to alphabetic print literacy.

NEW resource! Best Practices for Intake and Support Staff: Beginning ESL Literacy

For more information, contact Marty Olsen – martha.olsen@gmail.com

Comprehension Strategies for Intermediate-Level Readers
2025-10-27 13:00 - 15:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: MON. 10/27/25
Venue: Online (see details below)

Research shows that explicitly teaching a set of comprehension strategies is a great way to help intermediate-level readers maximize their understanding of texts. Come learn a handful of great comprehension tools that will help students develop critical thinking skills and comprehension skills.

MobyMax: Focus on Content Standards and Assignments
2025-10-28 15:00 - 16:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: TUE. 10/28/25
Venue: Online (see details below)

Join us for a deep dive into MobyMax content and the CCRS! You’ll learn how to find and assign MobyMax lessons that are aligned to specific CCR/Common Core standards in math and English language arts. We’ll also discuss ways to make the most of diagnostic assessment and placement test data and tips for managing assignments in open-enrollment classes.

Audience: Teachers and instructional staff or volunteers who use (or are interested in using) MobyMax for distance learning
Do I need a MobyMax teacher account to attend this session? Yes, it will be very helpful to know your login credentials before attending this session. You can request a state-supported account here under “Key Information.”
How do I join the session? Register here, then look for an email from “MNABE Staff” with a Zoom link.
Accommodations: To request ASL interpretation or other accommodations, please email the DL help desk.
Will there be a recording? Yes! The recording will be posted on the MN Adult Education PD YouTube channel.

Ellii October Webinar: What Can I Teach with Ellii?
2025-10-29 14:30 - 15:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: WED. 10/29/25
Venue: Online (see details below)

This session will provide an overview of the rich selection of content available for teachers in the Ellii platform. We’ll show you some concrete examples of resource sets for various topics and levels and discuss options for customization. We’ll also take a quick tour of the Ventures collections for teachers using this textbook series. There will be time for questions and discussion.

Audience: Teachers and volunteers who are using or interested in using Ellii, all levels
Do I need an Ellii teacher account to attend this session? No. An account is helpful (get one here), but not required.
How do I join the session? Register here, then look for an email from “MNABE Staff” with a Zoom link.
Accommodations: To request ASL interpretation or other accommodations, please email the DL help desk.
Will there be a recording? Yes! The recording will be posted on the MN Adult Education PD YouTube channel.

Volunteer Core Training Module 2: Understanding Adult Learners
2025-10-29 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: WED. 10/29/25
Venue: Online (see details below)

Participants develop their personal cultural awareness and learn how expectations around school culture shape how people teach and learn. Guiding principles for effectively delivering instruction to adults are also covered. Finally, participants increase their sensitivity to the challenges of learning English and developing literacy as an adult.

Minnesota State/ABE Corequisite Affinity Group Meetings
2025-10-30 14:00 - 15:15, 2025-10-31 10:00 - 11:15 | Online
Registration Deadline: Day of Event (see below)
Developing and advancing effective College and ABE co-req classroom partnerships is the business of ABE and Minnesota State educators working together through periodic Affinity Group (AG) meetings. The Affinity Group’s composition by role includes ABE Educators, Faculty, College Deans and Administrators, anyone with co-req reporting responsibility, and ABE Regional Directors. The Affinity Group sessions bring together all these practitioners who wish to explore and promote effective partnership models for student success in the co-req environment. All voices are welcome to help shape local and statewide collaboration strategies.
Additional information about the Affinity Group >>
Meeting Dates:

1. Thursday, October 30, 2-3:15 pm – REGISTER
2. Friday, October 31, 10-11:15 am – REGISTER
3. Thursday, January 15, 2-3:15 pm – REGISTER
4. Friday, January 16, 10-11:15 am – REGISTER
5. Thursday, April 9, 2-3:15 pm – REGISTER
6. Friday, April 10, 10-11:15 am – REGISTER
