MN ABE Connect Archive
Recent Newsletter Articles
I’m tired!
How can you and your students manage constantly evolving change in our COVID world? We are grieving loss in our lives as the pandemic continues to threaten people’s lives and we are uncertain about when it will end. You may feel fatigue, disappointment, sadness, or fear about your district’s decision to teach students virtually, in-person or in a hybrid model. Your students may be having similar feelings. Read More
Free (To You) Online Testing Administrations – Deadline 9/30/20!
The Covid-19 pandemic forced our MN Adult Education Support Network to cancel or postpone many events last spring, but we discovered other ways to provide similar services. Unspent funds were used to purchase online test administrations for both CASAS and TABE. To access these online tests, consortium managers must complete the Computer-Based Testing Survey/Sign-up by September 30. Read More
Introducing e-Diagnostic Reading Assessment!
To assist with the challenge of delivering reading instruction during the pandemic, Marn Frank developed electronic documents for testing word reading, phonics, fluency, and comprehension from a distance. Despite the unpredictable school year, hopefully these “e-DRA” tools will support more informal testing of struggling adult readers to identify their specific reading needs. Read More
SiD & the Adult Literacy Hotline will Include Disability Accommodations
Minnesota ABE strives to provide access to everyone who wants to learn, and connecting adult learners with programs has just gotten easier. Literacy Minnesota, PANDA and Urban Planet are teaming up to co-present a webinar announcing new disability accommodation search options integrated into SiD and the Adult Literacy Hotline. Read More
Teaching Critical Thinking Skills through a Social Justice Lens
It is safe to say that 2020 has left us with a lot to unpack as individuals and as educators. As our classes continue to look so different as they take place online, I am thinking about the need to find and use materials that help my students and me to process everything that is going on around us. The resources in the Zinn Education Project are perfect for building the ACES skill of Critical Thinking. Read More
Free Online Reading Pre-Assessments on ReadTheory and CommonLit
Read a comparison and highlights of two FREE online reading assessments for ReadTheory and CommonLit which are available for you to use with your students for remote assessment. Any kind of formal assessment has definitely been a challenge during the time of COVID-19, but perhaps one of these online tools may help you gather valuable information for your instruction! Read More
ABE Foundations at a Distance: Special Pandemic Edition!
What an interesting (!) time to be joining our field. Welcome! If you are new to the world of Adult Basic Education (ABE), then the online ABE Foundations course is for you. But you are not alone! In fall 2020 we are holding a series of 3 webinars to complement participation in the online course, set for October 12, 19, and 26. Read More
New! Foundations of Remote Instruction Certificate for Volunteers
Are you looking for ways to get your volunteers trained to continue to deliver support and instruction to adult learners? Whether it’s through WhatsApp, Zoom, or Google Meet, volunteers are helping learners develop their academic skills and stay connected with their learning community – and Literacy Minnesota can help ensure that they are confidently prepared for the work. Read More
Navigating 2020 and Beyond: ABE Support Services Conference
Covid-19, online classes, working from home, protests, virtual conferences, ZOOM! The year 2020 has been filled with twists and turns that ABE has had to adjust to. But through it all we have kept our focus on our mission and the students that we serve. Continue this focus by participating in the 2020 ABE Support Services Conference! Read More
Affinity Groups Kickoff at Summer Institute (and Beyond!): How You Can Get Involved
Learn about new statewide affinity groups for ABE professionals, which kicked off at Summer Institute in August, and how you can get involved in one (or more!) groups and their exciting advocacy work! Read More