CCR Standards

Contact Us

Kristine Kelly

Language & Literacy Coordinator

Minnesota Adult Education Content Standards

As part of our transition to a standards-based system and in order to comply with WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) requirements, Minnesota has adopted the College & Career Readiness Standards for Adult Education (CCRS), along with the ACES Transitions Integration Framework (TIF) and the Northstar Digital Literacy Standards, as our content standards for ABE. (Visit https://www.digitalliteracyassessment.org/ for more information on Northstar.)

As seen in the visual above, the business of Minnesota Adult Education is helping students attain the academic, transitions, and digital literacy skills they need to transition to whatever is next in their lives. This is the “what” of our instruction.

These skills are taught via meaningful content, the subject matter or context that is central to the instruction. This content may be related to an adult career pathway such as nursing or construction, or it may be focused on science or social studies if students are preparing for GED or a secondary credential. The content may also be connected to daily life skills and civics, such as navigating the community and accessing resources if students are newer to the US. Meaningful content could also be related to financial literacy, health literacy, and developing a future pathway. In Adult Education, much depends on the program, context, and students’ goals!

CCRS for Adult Education

The College & Career Readiness Standards for Adult Education (CCRS) is the document that lays out the standards for English Language Arts/Literacy, Math, and Foundational Reading Skills. It forms the foundation of the CCRS Implementation Cohort, a year-long MN ABE professional development activity that prepares program teams to align curriculum and instruction to the CCR Standards and develop a long-term standards implementation plan for their program (see more information below).

The CCRS document itself is divided into two sections:

  • English Language Arts and Literacy (ELA): found on pages 9-43
  • Mathematics: found on pages 44-84

Online Courses

CCRS Foundations Online Course

This free online course on the Canvas platform provides an introduction to the CCR standards for English Language Arts/Literacy or Mathematics in a self-paced format. Participants can complete the entire course for ELA and/or Mathematics, or access specific topics for a refresher or further practice.

This course meets the prerequisite requirement for several MN ABE professional development activities, including the CCRS Implementation Cohort.

Workshops

CCRS Foundations Workshops

These face-to-face workshops engage participants in a guided exploration of the CCR standards for ELA (English Language Arts/Literacy) or Mathematics.

These workshops meet the prerequisite requirement for several MN ABE professional development activities, including the CCRS Implementation Cohort and Adult Diploma Training.

Cohorts

CCRS Implementation Cohort

The CCRS Implementation Cohort is a year-long, intensive professional development activity. It prepares program teams to align curriculum and instruction to the CCR standards, develop a long-term standards implementation plan for their program, and, ultimately, improve learning outcomes for students. Participation in the cohort is done at the program level; individuals do not apply, but rather their programs do.

New CCR Standards Resources

CCRS Foundations Online Course

This free online course on the Canvas platform provides an introduction to the CCR standards for English Language Arts/Literacy or Mathematics in a self-paced format. Participants can complete the entire course for ELA and/or Mathematics, or access specific topics for a refresher or further practice. This course meets the prerequisite requirement for several MN ABE professional development activities, including the CCRS Implementation Cohort.

CCRS Implementation Guided Study: Program-Based CCRS Support

The CCRS Implementation Guided Study opportunity is a “light” version of the CCRS Implementation Cohort that includes a facilitation guide, Google Slides presentations, and all accompanying materials needed to lead advanced CCRS work on a program or team level – for ELA, Math, or both – all housed in a Canvas platform “course.” This guided study uses the same tools for instructors to practice analyzing lessons, units, instructional tasks, and resources that are used in CCRS Implementation Cohort, held every other year on a statewide level.

ELA CCRS Evaluation & High Value Action Alignment Tool

Use this tool to determine a resource’s (curriculum, text, lesson, book, etc.) level of CCRS alignment and to identify specific high-value actions to improve a resource’s alignment to the CCRS. Use the embedded note sheet to record your thoughts.
CCR Standards

CCR Standards Resource Library »

Newsletter Signup

Get MN ABE Connect—the official source for ABE events, activities, and resources!

Sign Up

PD Catalog

Get an overview of all MN Adult Education professional development (PD) activities in one convenient, searchable place!

PD Catalog

Latest CCR Standards Articles

ATLAS FY26 Online Courses Available on Canvas July 1!

Starting July 1, the FY26 versions of ATLAS online courses will be available on Canvas with updated content to support your work in Minnesota Adult Education. Whether you're meeting state training requirements or looking to refresh your knowledge, now is a great time to explore what's new in ABE, ACES/TIF, and CCRS Foundations courses. Read More

A Decade of Progress: 10 Years of CCRS in Minnesota Adult Education

Minnesota Adult Education is celebrating 10 years of working with the College & Career Readiness Standards (CCRS)! Since 2015, CCRS implementation has transformed instruction, strengthened alignment with real-world goals, and built a strong foundation of training, tools, and resources that support all adult learners across the state. Read More

Upcoming ABE Events

July 11, 2025 1:00 pm–3:00 pm
Literacy Minnesota
Online

Teaching the Whole Learner: Supporting Mental Health and Neurodiversity in ABE – Presented by Jimmie Heags

Online

Registration Deadline: FRI. 7/11/25 Venue: Online (see details below) Adult learners bring a range of experiences, learning needs, and emotional challenges. This session helps ABE volunteers and professionals recognize signs of mental health concerns and neurodivergence (like autism or ADHD) without stepping into diagnosis. You’ll learn practical, trauma-informed… Learn More

Online
July 16, 2025 1:00 pm–2:30 pm
Minnesota Department of Education
Online

WebChat with MN ABE

Online

Registration Deadline: WED. 7/16/25 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… Learn More

Online
July 21, 2025 6:30 pm–8:30 pm
Literacy Minnesota
Online

Teaching Reading Vocabulary

Online

Registration Deadline: MON. 7/21/25 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… Learn More

Online