ATLAS ABE

First Flight: A Look at Microsoft’s AI Chat Assistant “Copilot"
2024-03-12 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Online
Registration Deadline: TUE. 3/12/24
Join us for an engaging webinar as we explore the revolutionary Microsoft AI Copilot, an AI powered chat tool designed to enhance productivity. As Microsoft plans on integrating Copilot into all its Office software along with the Bing browser and Windows 11 itself, this will be a great opportunity to see what the future may bring to you and your learners Windows experience.

Teaching Intermediate Alphabetics
2024-03-13 13:00 - 15:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: WED. 3/13/24
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.

Volunteer Core Training Module 2: Understanding Adult Learners
2024-03-13 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: WED. 3/13/24
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.

Is it SSLO Goin’? The IET Approval Process De-Mystified!
2024-03-14 14:00 - 15:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: THU. 3/14/24
Single Set of Learning Objectives, also known as SSLOs, are required for an Integrated Education and Training (IET) course approval from the Minnesota Department of Education. If you have written SSLOs, you know that it can be a difficult and tedious process as you try to boil down a complex course into four to six essential competencies. Updates to the IET Application process have been recently made and now ATLAS Transitions Coordinator, Carly Voshell, is reviewing SSLOs for the state. Join this webinar to learn more about writing SSLOs more easily and efficiently, and connect with others who are in the midst of this important work!
If you require ASL Interpretation, contact Gail Rutan at grutan01@hamline.edu

Culturally Responsive Practices for Diverse Adult Learners with Jimmie Heags
2024-03-18 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: MON. 3/18/24
Join presenter Jimmie Heags, Jr., MA, LSC, LPCC, LADC, ACS, for this session that explores how cultural identities and experiences impact student-instructor interactions and shape the way we make meaning of the world. Participants will gain awareness of their own cultural perspectives, social location and the need for cultural humility in Adult Basic Education with the goal of enhancing the outcomes of adult learners and educators’ own professional development. Learning will be acquired through the explanation of concepts, anecdotes and stories, videos and participant reflection.

Burlington English Lunch and Learn: Xue's Office Hour
2024-03-19 12:30 - 13:15 | Online
Registration Deadline: TUE. 3/19/24
You will be able to join Xue’s open office hour to come with any questions or issues that you have. If you need help with a technical issue, Xue will be able to walk you through and train you in how to resolve the issue. If you need teaching tips or strategies, we can brainstorm in this session. If you need training in a specific area of Burlington English, Xue will be able to help you navigate through the features.

Volunteer Core Training Module 3: Instructional Best Practices: Working with Learners
2024-03-20 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: WED. 3/20/24
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.

SiD Specialty Classes & Student Tags Webinar
2024-03-21 10:30 - 11:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: THU. 3/21/24
We know you’ve got a handle on creating traditional classrooms in SiD where students are working on reading, writing, ‘rithmetic, and ESL skills. There are also classes that have specific Federal reporting requirements. Still others have state guidelines and staff training rules. They can be a little more tricky or confusing. During the session we’ll talk about how to set up some of these specialty classes, including IET, IELCE, and Workplace Literacy. We’ll also touch on a couple of student history items that can have a big impact on reporting.
Target audience: SiD data staff with Admin level logins and ABE program managers
Presenters: Your SiD Support Team, Jenny Schlukebier and Mary Zimmerli
Recording: If you can’t make it to the session, go ahead and register anyway. We’ll send a link to the recording to everyone who registered.

CASAS STEPS and BurlingtonEnglish Prep Conference
2024-03-22 09:00 - 15:00 | Double Tree by Hilton – Roseville, 2450 N Cleveland Ave, Roseville, MN, 55113, United States
Registration Deadline: WED. 3/20/24
Come learn about the new CASAS STEPS assessment and the new BurlingtonEnglish CASAS preparation materials. We’ll collaborate together in person, sharing strategies learned from states who have already adopted the new CASAS Steps assessment, gaining confidence with the English Language Proficiency standards, and receive training on the new BurlingtonEnglish CASAS preparation materials (coming spring 2024).
All are welcome, whether you use CASAS, BurlingtonEnglish, or both.
Registration is free. Lunch, coffee, and donuts provided.
Schedule (subject to change)
9am- 11am: Learn from CASAS’s National Program and Online Training Specialist, Astrid Robitaille and BurlingtonEnglish’s Director of Educational Partnerships Robert Brietbard about the new CASAS Steps Assessment.
11am-12pm: Dig into the English Language Proficiency Standards with JennaRose Dahl and Sherri Quesnel from BurlingtonEnglish.
12pm- 1pm: Lunch
1pm- 3pm: Learn about the new BurlingtonEnglish CASAS materials with Xue Xiong and Olia Tomski from BurlingtonEnglish. Discuss ways to ease student test anxiety and give them the tools they need to be supported.
Questions?
Email JennaRose: jennarose.d@burlingtonenglish.com

Refining Your Teacher Talk
2024-03-22 13:00 - 15:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: FRI. 3/22/24
Many tutors know they should limit their talking time, but struggle to do so. In this webinar, revisit the importance of reducing teacher talking time and learn ways to improve it to maximize learner engagement and comprehension.

Trauma-Informed Teaching Practices Study Circle
2024-03-22 13:00 - 16:00, 2024-04-05 13:00 - 16:00, 2024-04-19 13:00 - 16:00 | Online
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: FRI. 2/23/24
To do our work well, educators need to be aware of students’ possible experiences stemming from trauma in a myriad of forms, as well as implications for teaching and learning. In this study circle, a lens of trauma-informed instruction is used to deepen our best practices in working with adult learners in ways that are inclusive and culturally responsive. In this professional learning activity, emphasis is on reading, reflection, and discussion.
Objectives:
– Articulate a working definition of trauma that includes personal, systemic, historical, and other experiences.
– Identify ways that such trauma can impact learning for adult basic education students.
– Implement trauma-informed practices in order to better serve adult learners.
– Connect with fellow ABE practitioners and create a supportive environment that fosters well-being for ourselves, our students, and our workplaces.
Facilitated by: Andrea Echelberger
You must attend all study circle sessions to earn the 20 CEUs:

Friday, March 8, 2024 from 1:00-4:00pm
Friday, March 22, 2024 from 1:00-4:00pm
Friday, April 5, 2024 from 1:00-4:00pm
Friday, April 19, 2024 from 1:00-4:00pm

Zoom registration links will be sent to registrants via email.
Note: Priority for slots is given to current paid staff of Minnesota Adult Education programs.
GET MORE DETAILS >>
Meet our facilitator

Andrea Echelberger has worked in the field of adult education as a classroom teacher and an instructional trainer for 20 years, providing training and support for English language teachers on both a state and national level. Andrea has worked extensively with refugee-background adult emergent readers, served as an EL Fellow and EL Specialist with the US State Department, and has developed a wide variety of workshops and classroom instructional materials. Andrea holds a M. A. in Teaching ESL from Hamline University and a MN ABE Teaching License from the University of Minnesota.

Writing Activities for Beginning Literacy and Beginning English Language Learners
2024-03-25 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: MON. 3/25/24
While most in our society take the ability to write for granted, it can be laborious for ESL learners with little experience with this skill. Attend this webinar to learn about and try out engaging, interactive activities for English Language Learners in Beginning Literacy and Beginning level classes. Ideas for in-person, remote, one-on-one, all-class, as well as low-tech and no-tech options will be covered.

Burlington English Lunch and Learn: Prepare for CASAS/Test Prep Tool
2024-03-26 12:30 - 13:15 | Online
Registration Deadline: TUE. 3/26/24
In this session, we will explore the functions of the Prepare for CASAS/Test Prep tool and tie it back to how you can use this into your curriculum to help increase your student’s CASAS scores to make measurable skill gains. We will go over the In-Class lessons targeted for competency topics, explore student testing tools, and navigate how you can interpret the test data.
NOTE: Attendees must have current login credentials for their BE account.

HSE Testing Coffee Talk Series
2024-03-26 13:30 - 14:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: Register up to the date of each Coffee Talk.
This past year, we have added a new option to our testing services, making us a two-test state. We have had and continue to need help with connectivity issues, online proctoring, scheduling availability, student identifications, accommodation issues, etc. This series is intended to begin creating a space for us to come together, discuss, share, and problem-solve.
Coffee Talks will take place from 1:30-2:30 pm on every 4th Tuesday of the month in the 2024 calendar year.
Questions?
Please contact mde.abe@state.mn.us

Volunteer Core Training Module 4: Instructional Best Practices: Working with Materials
2024-03-27 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: WED. 3/27/24
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.

Comprehension Strategies for Intermediate-Level Readers
2024-03-29 13:00 - 15:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: FRI. 3/29/24
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.

Burlington English Lunch and Learn: Xue's Office Hour
2024-04-02 12:30 - 13:15 | Online
Registration Deadline: TUE. 4/2/24
You will be able to join Xue’s open office hour to come with any questions or issues that you have. If you need help with a technical issue, Xue will be able to walk you through and train you in how to resolve the issue. If you need teaching tips or strategies, we can brainstorm in this session. If you need training in a specific area of Burlington English, Xue will be able to help you navigate through the features.

Teaching and Tutoring with Northstar Digital Literacy
2024-04-02 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: TUE. 4/2/24
You don’t need to be a computer expert in order to teach computer skills! Come learn how help students build their digital literacy skills using Northstar Digital Literacy.
In the webinar, participants will learn:

The features of Northstar Digital Literacy.
How to help learners navigate Northstar digital literacy assessments.
How to use the Northstar instructor-led curriculum.
How to guide learners through the Northstar Digital Literacy Online Learning Modules.
Additional digital literacy resources.

If you are not familiar with Northstar Digital Literacy Assessments, please go to digitalliteracyassessment.org and take the Computer Basics assessment prior to the training.

DevEd-ABE Partner Affinity Group Meeting
2024-04-04 14:00 - 15:15, 2024-04-05 10:00 - 11:15 | Online
No registration necessary: Contact Russ Fraenkel, rwfraenkel@gmail.com, to receive the direct Zoom link.
April 2024 dates:

April 4 from 2:00-3:15pm
April 5 from 10:00-11:15am

NOTE: The meetings on April 4 and 5 cover the same topics. Participants have the option to attend either one of the similar sessions.
All are welcome to participate in the engaging presentations and discussions of the DevEd-ABE Partner Affinity Group. This year, the Affinity Group’s 75-minute virtual meetings (in November, February, and April) will focus attention on the co-req classroom format within Guided Learning Pathways. Minnesota State campuses are required to implement the co-req format in stages of partial implementation to full implementation by fall 2026.
Affinity Group background
2023-24 marks the fourth academic year in which Minnesota State Developmental Education and Adult Basic Education teachers and administrators join ranks to ensure college enrolled students are academically ready for the rigors of credit-bearing coursework at Minnesota State campuses. Many students are in need of additional math, English, organization, navigation, and study skills to thrive in college. The DevEd-ABE Affinity Group was formed three years ago to focus on the effectiveness of new and existing classroom partnerships to support Dev Ed enrolled students. To this end, numerous tools and resources have been created and utilized.
Contact Russ Fraenkel, rwfraenkel@gmail.com, for further information.

The HiSET Exam Curriculum: Leveraging Existing Skills for Success
2024-04-15 13:00 - 14:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: MON. 4/15/24
The HiSET serves as a crucial pathway for individuals seeking to obtain a high school equivalency credential. This session highlights a unique perspective on the HiSET exam curriculum, emphasizing that individuals are often already engaging with its content in their daily lives and in their classrooms. By recognizing and harnessing these existing skills and knowledge, test-takers can approach the exam with confidence and optimize their chances of success. This session explores various facets of the HiSET curriculum that align with current classroom content. Through this perspective, the journey toward achieving a high school equivalency is made attainable through the educator’s current classroom curriculum, style, and management.

Volunteer Core Training Module 2: Understanding Adult Learners
2024-04-15 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: MON. 4/15/24
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.

Burlington English Lunch and Learn: Looking into CCR & ELPS with Burlington English
2024-04-16 12:30 - 13:15 | Online
Registration Deadline: TUE. 4/16/24
In this session, we will learn how to identify CCR and ELP standards addressed in a lesson in Burlington Core and use other instructional resources in Burlington Core to help students develop skills addressed in the CCR and ELP standards.
NOTE: Attendees must have current login credentials for their BE account.

Teaching Reading Vocabulary
2024-04-17 13:00 - 15:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: WED. 4/17/24
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.

CCRS Support Webinar (3 of 3): CCRS + TIF = A match made in heaven!
2024-04-18 14:30 - 16:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: THU. 4/18/24
The standards for adult education can be confusing – CCRS, TIF, & Northstar, oh my! They are all important, of course, and we know students need everything, everything, all at once! Here’s the truth – the standards all interact, all the time. Join state leaders on this webinar to discover ways we can enrich teaching and learning by thinking about the standards TOGETHER. Does interpreting a graph have anything to do with Critical Thinking? Does point of view relate to Navigating Systems? What about the interplay of showing evidence, effective communication, and learning strategies? And what of all this transfers to building career skills (or maybe the better question is what DOESN’T transfer to building career skills!) All this and more with ATLAS’s Kristine Kelly, Lindsey Pust, and Carly Voshell.
If you require ASL interpretation, please contact Gail Rutan at grutan01@hamline.edu

Adult Career Pathways Institute
2024-04-19 09:00 - 13:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: FRI. 4/19/24
Join ATLAS for a half day, virtual conference on all things Adult Career Pathway! This year’s ACP Institute will feature a welcome from Minnesota ABE Director, Brad Hasskamp. We will introduce Credential Specialists in the areas of Certified Nursing Assistant, Community Interpreter and Food Protection Manager, and explain how to find more resources related to these high-need credentials. Concurrent sessions include career exploration for adult English Learners, co-enrollment with WIOA programs and the updated IET Approval process.
Schedule:
9-10 am – Welcome from ATLAS & State Staff & Announcing New Credential Specialists
Join us for remarks from MN Adult Ed Director Brad Hasskamp and ATLAS staff as we introduce Credential Specialists in the areas of Certified Nursing Assistant, Community Interpreter and Food Protection Manager, and explain how to find more resources related to these high-need credentials.
10-10:15 am – Break
10:15-11:30 am – Concurrent Session 1
Put Math to Work
From checking your pay stub to setting prices in your small business, adults use math in every job. It’s our job as instructors to incorporate math skills in ACP courses in a contextualized way. Let’s talk about how to identify which skills learners need and embed them in ACP curriculum with coherence and relevance.
Co-Enrollment and Collaboration: Making Connections to Better Serve ABE Students Holistically
Adult Education students face many barriers while improving their lives. They may be juggling many plates- school, work, family, and other responsibilities. Having a strong, two-way referral system between ABE and Workforce partners helps to meet the complex needs of these individuals. Join this session to learn more about collaborating with your local workforce development organization to discover what opportunities are available for eligible students and how co-enrollment in WIOA and other programs can benefit the whole student.
11:30-11:45 am – Break
11:45 am-1 pm – Concurrent Session 2
In Our IET Era: What Every Adult Ed Program Needs to Know About the 2024 IET Application Process
This session is made for newcomers and veterans of Integrated Education and Training (IET) work. 2024 brings changes to the IET application and approval process. Participants will see the new forms and take a closer look at strategies when creating Single Set of Learning Objectives (SSLOs) for future IET applications.
Career Exploration for English Language Learners
The goal for most adult learners is a good job so they can support themselves and their family. Adult Educators want to make that transition as smooth as possible by providing classes, events and activities to allow for career exploration and conversation in the ESL classroom. This presentation will feature panelists from around the state of Minnesota. Find out what’s working, ask questions and pick up some fresh ideas for building career confidence for EL learners.
If you require ASL Interpretation, contact Gail Rutan at grutan01@hamline.edu as soon as possible!

Administrator Webinar: Leading ABE Programs with a Trauma-Informed Lens
2024-04-23 12:00 - 13:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: TUE. 4/23/24
As leaders of ABE programs, coordinators and administrators can do much to create organizations and learning environments that are trauma-informed and healing-centered. In this webinar, join Lucille Rosario, a nationally-known social worker and educator, as she walks us through how leaders can directly impact their programs in ABE! Research has shown us that we cannot have a healing or trauma-informed learning environment without our own wellness and self-awareness. Join us as we dive into the impact of stress, trauma, and compassion fatigue on all professionals and organizations in adult education.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Lucille will build on foundational knowledge from her Language & Literacy keynote presentation, Creating a Healing-Centered Environment by Cultivating Educator Resilience. To get the most out of this upcoming webinar, please plan to watch the recording and/or look closely at the slides before April 23rd.
Please contact Gail Rutan at grutan01@hamline.edu for ASL Interpretation.

Burlington English Lunch and Learn: Strategies to Teach to a Multi-Level Classroom
2024-04-23 12:30 - 13:15 | Online
Registration Deadline: TUE. 4/23/24
In this session, we will explore the challenges and advantages of teaching a multi-level classroom, share ideas on how to overcome these challenges, and brainstorm other strategies that we can use in the classroom.
NOTE: Attendees must have current login credentials for their BE account.
