“Virtual” Directors’ Meeting
May 25, 2022
Click here to Register
Plenary Session 8:30AM-10:00AM
Who Makes the Rules? A Shared Understanding
ACLS policy is composed of state and federal requirements outlined in our FY19–23 Massachusetts Policies for Effective Adult Education in Community Adult Learning Centers and Correctional Institutions to support effective adult education across the Commonwealth. Some adult educators have noted that ACLS requires too much of teachers, directors, and other staff without providing the necessary funding to support effective implementation of required policies. As the state director, I want to continue to identify our role/responsibilities as state vs. your role/responsibilities as partner.
In this session, we will review ACLS state and federal policy requirements. We will also discuss policies that frequently require clarification and are seen as problematic.
Presenter(s): Wyvonne Stevens-Carter, State Director and ACLS staff
Workshop participant limit: None
Session A: 10:30AM-12:00PM
(A1) Curriculum Matters: New Resources to Take Your ELA Curriculum to the Next Level
Workshop Description: Developing or revising curriculum is hard work. In this session, explore new and updated ELA curriculum resources to help you meet the expectations of ACLS Indicator of Program Quality 4 (Curriculum). Learn how to use these resources to build or enhance your ABE curriculum to be rigorous, standards-aligned, contextualized, and culturally responsive. Hear from a program director who implemented these resources at their program. See a sample ELA Civics Unit Plan that integrates ACLS priorities, including digital literacy and differentiation. In addition, learn how SABES ELA coaching can support you with curriculum development or review.
Presenter(s): Elizabeth McDermott, Assistant Director, Worcester Adult Learning Center
Evonne Peters, Director, SABES Curriculum, and Instruction PD Center
Dana Varzan-Parker, Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Policy Coordinator, ACLS
Workshop participant limit: None
(A2) The Future of Program Quality Reviews: A First Look at the New Educational Leadership Rubric
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82916650867
Workshop Description: This session opens with a brief overview of the Program Quality Review process, how it has evolved over time and how it presently fits within the larger Performance Accountability System. The bulk of the session then focuses on Indicator 9: Educational Leadership. Participants will have the opportunity to review the new rubric and provide feedback on the key elements for each standard. The session concludes with next steps for the rubric and for the PQR process as a whole. Participant familiarity with Indicator 9 and Standards 9.1, 9.2, and 9.3 will be assumed.
Presenter(s): Suzanne Speciale, Wayne Yee, Paula Jurigian, and Russell Fenton, ACLS
Workshop participant limit: None
(A3) Data Analysis for Tracking Trends, Persistence, and Performance
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7797846447
Workshop Description: This session will cover searches, reports, and views that can be used to track program data for the purpose of examining trends related to program performance and student persistence and outcomes.
Presenter(s): Shannon Stangis, LiteracyPro Systems for LACES
Workshop participant limit (50)
(A4) HSE Options in Massachusetts: Implications for Preparation
Workshop Description: We will look at HSE Options including Adult Diploma Programs (ADP) and the HSE Tests. We will be joined by DESE ADP Portfolio reviewers who will provide information on content knowledge required for ELA and Science ADP portfolios and HSE tests, as well as the differences. We will also discuss strategies for attaining success in both pathways.
Presenter(s): Michael Farma, ACLS; George Viglirolo, ADP Reviewer; Jim Perry, ADP Reviewer
Workshop participant limit: None
Session B: 12:30PM-2:00PM
(B1) Designing a Program that Works
Workshop Description: In this session, ACLS will present a case study of an adult education program including key program components. Participants will identify pros and cons of the program through the lens of policy, indicators of program quality, and ADEI. Participants will leave this workshop with an understanding of the academic, operational, and organizational challenges associated with the development and implementation of an effective adult education program, while exploring how those challenges could be overcome.
Presenter(s): Wyvonne Stevens-Carter, State Director and ACLS staff
Workshop participant limit: None
(B2) Flex Your Indicator Muscles: Let TSTM Lift Your Program’s Skills, Focus Areas, and Approaches. Bench Press Your Way to High Quality Curriculum and Instruction!
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87237410450
Workshop Description: This workshop will show you how the Indicators of Program Quality 4 and 5 and the Teaching Skills That Matter (TSTM) framework interface with one another. You will gain a better understanding of how TSTM can support your program meet and exceed the benchmarks of the ACLS Curriculum and Instruction Indicators. You will hear from a few program directors whose teaching staff are currently participating in the TSTM Academy-Customized Approach and how TSTM training has been customized to strengthen specific areas of these programs’ curricula.
Presenter(s): Christa Exter, Teaching Skills That Matter State Trainer, Methuen Public Schools Adult Education
Dana Varzan-Parker, Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Policy Coordinator, ACLS
Workshop participant limit: None
(B3) Distance and Hybrid Learning Models in LACES
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7797846447
Workshop Description: This session will discuss how to track and analyze hour types in LACES for the purpose of identifying trends in efficacy of distance learning and hybrid instruction.
Presenter(s): Shannon Stangis, LiteracyPro Systems for LACES
Workshop participant limit (50)
(B4) Using Design Justice Network Principles to Further Equitable Access (IPQ 2) for Your Program
Workshop Description: In this presentation, we will do a deep dive on Indicator 2, Equitable Access. At the start, we will go over Indicator 2 and its requirements. Then, we will highlight the aims of the Design Justice Network, with its ten principles for program design. Programs will then have the ability to share with each other examples of how they have used these principles in their program design processes. By the end of this presentation, participants will have more ideas and resources to inform them of more inclusive program design.
Presenter(s): Lisa Patrick, Wayne Yee, and Melissa Viscovich, ACLS
Workshop Participant Limit: None
SESSION C: 2:30 – 4:00
(C1) Who Makes the Rules? A Shared Understanding (Repeat)
Workshop Description: ACLS policy is composed of state and federal requirements outlined in our Massachusetts Policies for Effective Adult Education in Community Adult Learning Centers (CALCs) and Correctional Institutions (AECIs) to support effective adult education across the Commonwealth.
The field has communicated that ACLS requires too much of teachers, directors, and other staff without providing the necessary funding to support effective implementation of required policies. As the state director, I want to continue to identify our role/responsibilities as state vs. your role/responsibilities as partner.
In this session, we will review ACLS state and federal policy requirement. We will also discuss policies that frequently require clarification and are seen as problematic.
Presenter(s): Wyvonne Stevens-Carter, State Director and ACLS staff
Workshop participant limit: None
(C2) Unpacking the ACLS Indicators of Program Quality to Reframe Your Program’s Culture of Assessment with a Student-Centered Mindset
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81576601267
Workshop Description: Assessment in this workshop is defined broadly to include summative, formative, diagnostic, standardized, and classroom assessment approaches. The session will encourage critical reflection on the program assessment practices of participants as they pertain to specific indicators of program quality (IPQ), promote sharing of assessment processes, strategies, and tools, and assist programs in developing and/or strengthening a culture of assessment at their programs. The goal is to frame assessment as part of student-centered and culturally responsive program practices, think deeply about the assessment standards of the IPQ, and engage with an overarching lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Presenter(s): April Zenisky, Research Associate Professor, UMass Center for Educational Assessment
Dana Varzan-Parker, Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Policy Coordinator, ACLS
Workshop participant limit: None
(C3) General LACES Session
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7797846447
Workshop Description: This session will cover the data analysis described in session A3 and the hours learning models discussed in session B3for persons who could not attend those sessions, as well as review new features and functionality in LACES and provide a question-and-answer session.
Presenter(s): Shannon Stangis, LiteracyPro Systems for LACES
Workshop participant limit (50)
(C4) Taking a Breath: Reflecting on COVID Lessons Learned. Where Do We Go from Here? A conversation about the future of adult education teaching and learning for all learners at all abilities.
Workshop Description: We will reflect on the quality of instruction via digital literacy, real and anecdotal, and about providing high quality instruction remotely. We will also discuss the successes and challenges faced in providing high-quality instruction remotely, brainstorm solutions and celebrate victories. This will be a dynamic session with opportunities for all to share their thoughts and experiences, so come prepared to take a deep breath, reflect, and imagine our future.
Presenter(s): Kate Anderson, SABES, Ernest Best, Adult Education Advisory Council, Adam Duggan, Program Director, Mt. Wachusett Community College and, Michelle Perry, ACLS (facilitator)
Workshop participant limit: None
United States
