June 22, 2020
Transitioning Back to the Classroom
With 65% of the nation's colleges and universities planning for in-person classes in the fall, and 46 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties (and their school districts) in the green phase , many adult education agencies across PA are currently transitioning to face-to-face learning. This will, of course, involve a "new normal." But how can we be best prepared for this transition and how can we learn lessons from our COVID-19 experience?

Many of the resources below can help you. There is a comparison of this spring's "emergency remote teaching" and the effective online learning we strive for; an announcement of free distance education coaching; and information about the new at-home versions of the GED® and HiSET® tests. Use this information to grow and prepare in a way that will benefit your teachers and students.
Teaching Tips and Resources
Distance Learning Strategies to Use in the Classroom
This spring teachers were stretched to learn new skills as we traded in the classroom for the Zoom meeting. A recent article from Edutopia, Distance Learning Strategies to Bring Back to the Classroom , shares a list of ideas, practices, and values from distance learning that can benefit students in a face-to-face classroom this summer or fall.
What is "Emergency Remote Teaching?"
An article, The Difference Between Emergency Remote Teaching and Online Learning , carefully lays out the distinction and describes what makes effective online education. What many in the adult education community, as well as K-12, have been doing this spring is best described as "emergency remote teaching." The difference is that emergency remote teaching lacks the full and robust support structure and well-thought-out practices of a true and purposeful online learning experience. The article goes on to describe methods that programs can use to look backward to evaluate the methods used so far and look forward to plan for effective implementation in the future.
Free Lesson Packet on Discussing Race
The Change Agent , an adult education magazine for social justice, has made available free materials to help you discuss the important topic of race inside your classroom. The lesson, titled Facing Racism , is multi-leveled and includes histories, articles, and resources to constructively talk about race with adult students.
Webinar recording: Blended Learning Guide
A recent LINCS post and discussion provides a link to the recording of a webinar about the New Readers Press Blended Learning Guide. There are also dozens of detailed Q&As that elaborate on ways that blended learning can be best used to the advantage of adult students.
EdTech Center - Distance Education 1:1 Coaching
World Education's EdTech Center offered two small group coaching sessions in June for distance education coaching. They are also offering free 1:1 coaching. Check online for information on this opportunity and upcoming sessions.
High School Equivalency (HSE) Updates and Resources
Webinar: Online GED® Test Proctoring
With the Online Proctored GED ® test now available to Pennsylvania students, you may have questions about how students can connect with this opportunity or about applicable policies. A webinar on GED ® Online Proctoring will be held on Monday, June 22, at 1:00 p.m. Join the Zoom meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86080919421.
HiSET ® Exam at Home
W ith the inability of many test takers to go to their local test center, ETS is now making the HiSET® exam available in an at-home version, proctored live via computer. Learn all the details for how this will work online.
Professional Development Opportunities
Professional Learning for Adult Education and Family Literacy Staff
Staff at PDE-funded adult education and family literacy agencies can view  a list of upcoming courses  now available for enrollment in the PD Portal. For more information about any of these courses, please visit the  PD Portal , open the course catalog, and review the syllabus. If you are interested in enrolling in a course, please consult with your in-house professional development specialist (IHPDS) to determine if the course meets your professional learning goals.
Webinar: Ability to Benefit State Leadership
This webinar , on June 24, at 1:00 p.m., will feature leaders from three states sharing their Ability to Benefit progress. Discussion will include strategies they are using to expand this program and enable adults to simultaneously earn their high school and college credentials.
State and National Adult Education News
Webinar: OCTAE Performance Assessment and Reporting
Cheryl Keenan of the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE) will present a webinar on Friday, June 26, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m., to discuss and explain what the recent rapid transition to distance learning means for performance assessment and reporting of distance learners. 
Weekly Program Support and Professional Development Email
The Professional Development System has discontinued the weekly email of Program Support and Professional Development. Any new and pertinent information can be found on the COVID-19 Program Resources page at the PA Adult Education resources website. 
Adult Learner Online Transition Survey
David Rosen, an adult literacy researcher, is using a survey to collect information about adult students' experiences transitioning to remote or online learning during the pandemic. His hope is to have the survey widely shared and completed by students. The survey will remain open through June and David will share a link to the results in early July via the LINCS Integrating Technology Group. Your students can complete the survey online .
Virtual Trivia Night with COABE
At the conclusion of the upcoming National Conference of the Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE), COABE will host a Virtual Trivia Night. Register online for this event on July 6, at 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Article Submission for COABE Journal
The theme of next quarter's COABE Journal will be racial equity and immigrant integration. Do you have thoughts to share on topics like addressing race in the classroom, implicit bias, or supporting learners of a racial or ethnic minority? The deadline for article submissions is August 1, 2020. Contact journal@coabe.org with questions or submit an article online .
Prison Literacy Hackathon
As part of this year's COABE Conference, which will be held online June 29 through July 8, the Behind & Beyond the Walls Committee will hold a Prison Literacy Hackathon. This interactive preconference event will take four to five vetted adult literacy programs, and over three work sessions, use four topic-focused teams to develop a finished product that can be used to educate and assist men and women returning home from incarceration. Register online to participate in this hackathon.
Grants and Scholarships
PHEAA Webinar: Financial Aid for Non-Traditional Students
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) will hold a webinar on Thursday, July 30, at 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. titled Financial Aid for Non-Traditional Students . If you know any adult education student considering going to or returning to higher education soon who needs financial aid, this webinar can provide them with an overview of eligibility and how to apply for a variety of financial aid programs. Learn more or register online .
Job Posting
The job postings below are for adult basic education programs funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and, at least in part, by WIOA Title II funds. You can also find the postings on the  paadultedresources.org  website. To post a job, please email the job advertiseme nt to  dschauer@tiu11.org

There are no job postings at this time.
PA Adult Education Resources
Upcoming State and National Conferences
State and National Newsletters
State and national organizations' newsletters are listed below and may be of interest to you. To receive the most recent editions by email, please subscribe directly to the newsletter. 

Families Learning: News of the Week, National Center for Families Learning
Features information and resources for family literacy, early childhood education, and parent education.

WorkforceGPS, Workforce3 One Features career pathways and workforce development information.

COABE Journal, Coalition On Adult Basic Education Features national information, resources, and initiatives for adult basic education.

World Education/U.S. Features resources and information from World Education projects including The Change Agent, College for Adults, E-Learning, LINCS Region 1 Professional Development Center, National College Transitional network, and many others.