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.
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:
Want more information on implementing the TIF in your own practice? Check out the ACES resource library!
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.
ACES Foundations is a free online course that provides a wonderful overview of ACES and how it can give teachers the tools they need to help students reach their goals.
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.
The Content Standards Integration (CSI) Cohort is a 4-month professional development activity designed to help instructors build confidence and familiarity with integrating all three sets of MN ABE Content Standards into their curriculum and instruction.
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The Transitions Integration Framework (TIF) – a component of our MN Adult Education content standards – was first published in 2013 and revised in 2016. A dream team comprising dedicated ABE teachers and administrators from programs around Minnesota is now working on exciting and timely updates to the TIF! Read More
This documentary video series features stories from first-generation college students and aims “to create awareness about the diversity, the challenges, the opportunities and the benefits each student brings to campus.” Watching the videos would be an excellent way to begin a conversation about a number of important topics, such as the barriers that first-generation college students face, the value of persistence, and the importance of “making room at the table” for diverse voices in educational spaces. Read More
Registration Deadline: MON. 10/3/22 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
Registration Deadline: WED. 10/5/22 Promotional Flyer – Feel free to download the flyer and forward to your colleagues! 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… Learn More
Registration Deadline: WED. 10/5/22 Learners with limited English and literacy skills have unique needs for in-person and remote instruction. Participants will learn best practices and tips for success at this level. They’ll also get several ideas for routines, activities and resources to use in their tutoring sessions. Learn More
