Professional Development Course List
for Adult Education Instructors
Section A-B
(Courses are arranged alphabetically)
Algebra, Functions, and Patterns
CABEA 6800157
3 hours/2.5 Credential Points
Trainers: Denise Johnson, Liliana Black, Cynthia McConnell
Audience: GED/ESL Teachers
Description: Algebra, Functions, and Patterns is designed to provide teachers with creative teaching techniques so that they can create and solve algebraic expressions and explain patterns and functional relationships presented in textual, graphical and other forms. The training will include a review on how to create algebraic expressions and equations to model and solve problems; use variables and equations to represent data provided in tables, graphs, and word problems; analyze tables and graphs to generalize patterns and relationships; and understand functional relationships and solve linear, quadratic, and exponential functions.
Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course participants will be able to:
- Use a broader range of instructional strategies
- Incorporate Real-World Materials in instruction
- Create algebraic expressions and equations to model and solve problems
- Understand functional relationships and solve linear, quadratic, and exponential functions
- Provide Tools and Games for use in the GED Math instruction
- Actively Engage Students
- Provide Large and small Group Instruction
BaFa BaFa - An Experiential Simulation Cross-Cultural Communication Activity
CABEA 6800167
3 hours/2.5 Credential Points
Trainer: Karen Couey
Audience: ABE/ASE/ESL Teachers and Teachers Aides, Program Administrators and Staff
Description: In this training participants come to understand the powerful effects that culture plays in every person’s life. BaFa BaFa is a simulation activity that helps participants become personally aware of the issues surrounding cultural differences by putting them into one of two created cultures and requiring interaction with the other one. The resulting misperceptions and misunderstandings become the grist for the debriefing.
Outcomes: Upon completion of this training session, participants will be able to:
- Build awareness of how cultural differences can profoundly impact people in an organization.
- Motivate participants to rethink their behavior and attitude toward others.
- Allow participants to examine their own bias and focus on how they perceive differences.
- Examine how stereotypes are developed, barriers created, and misunderstandings magnified.
- Provide Hands On Learning Activities
BEST Literacy Test Training
CABEA 6800141
3 hours/2.5 Credential Points
Trainers: Judy Bowman, Bill Medina, Jill Kaeser, Kay Vaccaro
Audience: BEST Literacy Test Administrators and/or Scorers
Description: This training is intended for anyone who administers or scores the BEST Literacy Test. Using the manual, participants will investigate proper test administration and scoring procedures, practice scoring writing samples, and acquire a basic knowledge of the content. By the end of the session participants should be able to use the writing rubric for scoring writing samples and follow the manual mandates for accurate scoring on the other sections.
All participants must bring his/her own BEST Literacy Test Manual (10/06).
Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course participants will be able to:
- Understand the content of the BEST Literacy Test Manual.
- Apply proper test administration and scoring procedures.
- Use Writing Rubric to accurately score writing section of test.
- Follow manual mandates for correct scoring on other sections.
BEST Plus Refresher
CABEA 6800110
3 hours/2.5 Credential Points
Trainers: Judy Bowman, Bill Medina, Jill Kaeser, Kay Vaccaro
Audience: BEST Plus Test Administrators
Description: This training may be done BEFORE the BEST Plus Scoring Refresher Toolkit for review, fine-tuning, and practice; OR it may be done AFTER the BEST Plus Scoring Refresher Toolkit as remediation and practice following an unsuccessful completion of the BEST Plus Scoring Refresher Toolkit training.
CAL approved test administrators will review objectives, content areas and question types of the BEST Plus oral interview, review the scoring rubric, review appropriate test administration procedures, and practice scoring the test. Each participant must bring his/her own TAG (Test Administrator’s Guide).
Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course participants will be able to:
- Accurately perform scoring calibration exercises.
- Explain the rationale for scores awarded.
- Properly administer the BEST Plus oral interview.
- Acquire more expertise in using the Test Administrator’s Guide (TAG).
BEST Plus Scoring Refresher Toolkit
CABEA 6800128
4 hours/2.5 CredentialPoints
Trainers: Judy Bowman, Bill Medina, Jill Kaeser, Kay Vaccaro
Audience: BEST Plus Test Administrators
Description: This training is designed to recalibrate approved BEST Plus test administrators. Participants will have the opportunity to reflect on their own strengths and weaknesses regarding administration and accurate scoring of the BEST Plus. Participants will practice using the scoring rubric to provide justification for scoring each of the three language aspects. After practice, participants will complete a BEST Plus scoring calibration assessment. Each participant must bring his/her own TAG (Test Administrator’s Guide) and their own Scoring Refresher Workbook. Please note: This session will be limited to 15 participants when the test will be administered as part of the training. The session will be limited to 20-25 when the test is not administered as part of the training.
Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this training, the test administrator will be able to :
- Use the scoring rubric to provide justifications for scoring on each of the three language proficiency subscales of Listening Comprehension, Language Complexity, and Communication.
- Identify effective BEST Plus test administration procedures.
- Identify their own strengths and areas of difficulty in administering and scoring the test.
BEST Plus Training
CABEA 6800043
6 hours/5 Credential Points
Trainers: Judy Bowman, Bill Medina, Jill Kaeser, Cora Conner, Kay Vaccaro
Audience: BEST Plus Test Administrators
Description: The participants will study the rationale for the BEST Plus test and acquire sufficient mastery of the BEST Plus test to perform duties of a tester in administering, scoring, and interpreting the scores.
Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course participants will be able to:
- Describe the background and overview of the BEST Plus.
- Be trained on the use of the BEST Plus TAG (Test Administrator’s Guide).
- View a video example of the test as it is administered to adult English learners
- Perform scoring exercises, with explanations of why learner language is scored at a given level on the scoring rubric.
- Practice the BEST Plus test administration.
BEST PLUS Training for Non-Testers
CABEA 6800129
3 hours/2.5 Credential Points
Trainers: Judy Bowman, Bill Medina, Jill Kaeser, Kay Vaccaro
Audience: ESL Teachers and Administrators
Description: This training is intended for teachers, administrators and other adult education staff involved with but not actually administering BEST Plus. The training will explore objectives, content areas and question types of the BEST Plus oral interview. Participants will experience scoring and appropriate test administration procedures. Test taking techniques will also be discussed.
Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course participants will be able to:
- Work better with students in preparation for assessment.
- Describe the content areas and question types.
- Explain the basic testing procedures.
- Acquire a working knowledge of the BEST Plus.
Bringing Our Whole Selves to Teaching and Learning
CABEA 6800135
3 hours/2.5 Credential Points
Trainer: Audrey Nelson Ricks
Audience: Teachers and Administrators
Description: The training is designed to help teachers identify and manage stressors in their lives and in the lives of their students. They will engage in a variety of activities that will promote better physical, mental and emotional well being for themselves and for their students.
Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course participants will be able to:
- Identify stressors and their effects on the mind, body and emotions.
- Discuss with students the stressors they face in their lives.
- Facilitate small group discussions to brainstorm solutions for the stressors.
- Engage in stress reducing body, mind and breathing techniques.
- Use art, music, and dance to reduce stress.
Bringing our Whole Selves to the Workplace
CABEA 6800152
3 hours/2.5 Credential Points
Trainer: Audrey Nelson Ricks
Audience: Staff, Administrators, Teachers
Description: The training is designed to help individuals identify and manage stressors in their lives. They will engage in a variety of activities that will promote better physical, mental and emotional well being to promote a safe and positive work environment.
Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course participants will be able to:
- Identify stressors and their effects on the mind, body and emotions.
- Discuss with colleagues the stressors they face in their lives.
- Engage in stress reducing, body, mind and breathing techniques.
- Use art, music, and dance to reduce stress.
Building an Adult Reader
CABEA 6800150
6 hours/5 Credential Points
Trainer: Stacey Schultz
Audience: ABE/GED Teachers
Description: This course will target those instructors of reading for Adult Basic Education. Throughout the training participants will learn the six foundations of reading. (i.e. phonemic awareness, phonological awareness, decoding skill, fluency, vocabulary development, comprehension, and motivation). The participants will learn the meanings of the foundations and ways to implement their new found knowledge with activities for adult learners. Each foundation will be explored and authentic activities will be provided. Participants will leave with a knowledge of the foundations of reading and how to apply them in their direct reading instruction. The six foundations are critical when building a successful adult reader.
Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course participants will be able to:
- Phonemic & Phonological Awareness: segmentation, blends, diagraph, vowel patterns
- Decoding Skills: Word Families
- Fluency: Fluency Probes
- Vocabulary Development: A.G.E.S. (antonyms, general context, examples, synonyms)
- Comprehension: graphic organizers
- Motivation: intrinsic, extrinsic
Building Community in the Classroom from Day One
CABEA 6800171
3 hours/2.5 Credential Points
Trainer: Liliana Black
Audience: ESL/EL Civics Teachers
Description: This workshop will explore the cultural differences that are not readily apparent. The session is geared toward ESL teachers at all levels; however, ABE/ASE teachers may find it useful as well.
Outcomes: Upon completion of this training session, participants will be able to:
- Teach students to understand how they are alike, or different, from their classmates
- Have students create a poster containing different aspects of their personal culture
- Encourage students to discuss the posters, get involved, share ideas, and work together
Building Community in the Culturally Diverse Classroom
CABEA 6800165
3 hours/2.5 Credential Points
Trainer: Liliana Black
Audience: ESL/EL Civics Teachers
Description: This workshop shows how knowledge and respect for students’ cultures can engage adult learners in new ways and increase student retention. Participants will practice creative strategies to increase cultural awareness, work together, and create a community of learners. The session is geared toward ESL teachers at all levels; however, ABE/ASE teachers may find it useful as well.
Outcomes: Upon completion of this training session, participants will be able to:
- Discuss differing cultural values and acceptable classroom behaviors.
- Practice community-building strategies that create a community in the class from day one.
- Learn ways to teach students how to organize into groups and work out issues that may arise
Building Student Persistence and Commitment
CABEA 6800088
3 hours/2.5 Credential Points
Trainer: Cynthia McConnell , Doris Larry
Audience: All Teachers, Administrators, Staff
Description: This Professional Development training will focus on critical exit points for students and ways to improve retention. Teachers will develop activities for student retention through demonstrations, role-play, and hands-on activities.
Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this training, the participants will:
- Recognize critical exit points for students from initial contact through post testing.
- Develop skills in retention strategies that will result in increased student success.
- Create lesson plans that engage and motivate students.
Note: Follow up with NCSALL Study Circle
