CCR Standards

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Kristine Kelly

Literacy Coordinator

Minnesota ABE 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 Adult Basic Education is helping students attain basic skills, professional/soft skills, and digital literacy skills in order to transition into whatever is next for them. This is the “what” of instruction in ABE.

All of these skills are taught against a backdrop (here in blue) of content, the subject matter being taught. This backdrop might be life skills, if teachers are working with new arrivals to the US for example, or it may be occupational in nature, or focused on science or social studies if preparing students for GED or a secondary diploma. Content might also include civics, citizenship, or family literacy, depending on the program and context.

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 Schoology course 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.

Content Standards Integration (CSI) Cohort

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. Unlike the CCRS Implementation Cohort, for which programs apply, individuals may apply to participate in CSI.

New CCR Standards Resources

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.

Math 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.

Sample Program Implementation Plans

This is a collection of sample CCRS Program Implementation Plans from across Minnesota Adult Education. These programs operate in multiple contexts – rural, suburban, urban, single-site, multi-site, within community-based organizations, and much more.
CCR Standards

CCR Standards Resource Library »

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Latest CCR Standards Articles

Routines That Foster Constructing Viable Arguments and Critiquing the Reasoning of Others – Part 1

Regardless of the subject matter, there is a skill/practice that is central to any learning: the ability to construct viable and valid arguments, and to engage in critiquing the reasoning of others - the reasoning of both students and teachers. There are routines you can put in place to help develop this skill/practice. Read More

CCRS Cohort Applications Due June 1, 2022!

Looking to strengthen CCRS implementation in your ABE program? Want to network and collaborate in this effort with ABE colleagues from around the state? Don't miss the chance to participate in the 2022/2023 CCRS Cohort beginning this fall! Read More

Upcoming ABE Events

March 30, 2023 2:00 pm–3:15 pm
Russ Fraenkel
Online

ABE-Dev Ed Affinity Group Meeting

Online

Mark your calendar NOW, for this school year’s online ABE-Dev Ed Affinity Group meetings.  Attendees are provided two meeting options to discuss the same content, allowing for greater practitioner engagement.  The upcoming meeting options are: Thursday, March 30 (2-3:15pm) or Friday, March 31 (10-11:15am) Affinity Group meetings are facilitated by… Learn More

Online
March 31, 2023 10:00 am–11:15 am
Russ Fraenkel
Online

ABE-Dev Ed Affinity Group Meeting

Online

Mark your calendar NOW, for this school year’s online ABE-Dev Ed Affinity Group meetings.  Attendees are provided two meeting options to discuss the same content, allowing for greater practitioner engagement.  The upcoming meeting options are: Thursday, March 30 (2-3:15pm) or Friday, March 31 (10-11:15am) Affinity Group meetings are facilitated by… Learn More

Online
April 3, 2023 6:30 pm–8:30 pm
Literacy Minnesota
Online

Core Training Module 1: Overview of Minnesota Adult Education and Program Accountability

Online

Registration Deadline: MON. 4/3/23 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

Online