SABES is the Professional Development System of the Public Adult Education system of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (ESE)'s Adult and Community Learning Services (ACLS) unit.

Adult Education in Massachusetts

The Public Adult Education (PAE) system exists to provide each and every adult with opportunities to develop literacy skills needed to qualify for further education, job training, and better employment, and to reach full potential as family members, productive workers, and citizens.

This PAE System is comprised of multiple facets, including a network of adult education provider programs, education practitioners within those providers, adult students, SABES, and ESE. In Massachusetts alone, over 1,000 teachers work in over 100 local AE programs housed in community-based organizations, local school districts, community colleges, libraries, correctional facilities, and volunteer associations.

SABES

SABES consists of three curriculum and instruction PD centers (Math and Numeracy, English Language Arts, and ESOL), a Program Support PD Center, and a PD System Communication Center. See the What's New article for more details on the system.

All SABES centers are funded by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (ESE), with funds managed by the Adult and Community Learning Services (ACLS) unit of ESE. SABES will assist ABE programs and practitioners in engaging in PD activities that support the PAE System's mission and better meet the college and career readiness needs of ABE learners throughout the Commonwealth.

About this website

The SABES website is for practitioners and programs looking for:

  • High quality PD and TA on teaching strategies
  • Learning communities for sharing ideas and gathering information
  • Research and resources to bolster programs’ PD offerings
  • Information on the PD Centers or staff

The website hosts a job board to assist programs in filling positions in adult education.

Information also exists for students and other adults looking to further their education or careers, such as videos on obtaining a high school equivalency credential and a link to the Massachusetts Adult Education Helpdesk. Practitioners are also encouraged to pass this information along to their students or adults looking for a boost.

The website is currently housed at the SABES Communication Center at Education Development Center, Inc. For more information on the website, or to report errors, please contact us at info@sabes.org.

Thanks for visiting! We hope you will take time to browse the multitude of information on the site.