This three-part series provides program leaders and teams with strategies, tools, and resources for collaboratively developing a continuous improvement plan. You will leave with a concrete goal and action plan that is data-driven, sustainable, and right-sized for your program.

In the optional Continuous Improvement Planning: Voices from the Field session, you will hear real-world examples of other programs’ continuous improvement projects and strategies for making continuous improvement a consistent and sustainable part of their program's culture.

• In Session 1, you will examine the “big picture” of continuous improvement by reviewing the continuous improvement process and considering both the program conditions and leadership strategies that support an effective, inclusive, and collaborative approach to continuous improvement. You will leave with tools and resources to begin building your planning team and gathering data to use in Session 2.

• In Session 2, you will explore the role of data in continuous improvement. You will review state- and program-level data to identify potential areas of focus, and brainstorm additional sources of data that you will need to guide your decision-making. You will leave with practical tools and resources to help you gather additional data and choose an area of focus.

• In Session 3, you will consider key drivers that you can use to create change within your program, strategies for setting effective goals and plans, and considerations for managing change and building sustainability as you begin to implement. You will leave with tools and resources to finalize your goal(s) and complete your plan.

As a Final Project, you will submit your goal and plan to your coach, who will provide you with feedback and support as you begin implementation. 

In an optional End-of-Year Showcase, you will have the opportunity to share your work with your colleagues. 

There will be additional readings and in-program work for you and your team between each session. This asynchronous work is designed to help you apply your learning and leverage the course’s structure to support your team’s planning process.

Note: This offering addresses Indicator 9 of Program Quality (IPQ 9), which tells us that effective adult education programs conduct a continuous improvement planning process that supports high-quality practices and a shared vision for student and staff success, with the goal of improving student outcomes.

Format & Requirements: This course includes self-paced online learning, live virtual sessions, applied practice, and individualized coaching, including: 

• (Optional) Continuous Improvement Planning: Voices from the Field session, totaling 1.5 hours 
• Three synchronous sessions, totaling 7 hours
• Three self-paced modules, totaling approximately 3 hours
• Three applied assignments, totaling approximately 5 hours 
• One coaching meeting, totaling 1 hour

The total estimated time to complete this course is 16-17.5 hours, including in-program work. 

Timeline:
Continuous Improvement Planning: Voices from the Field session

• Virtual session on Zoom (9/18/2026, 9:30–11:00 a.m.) NOTE: Register at the link above for this optional session.

Part 1

• Independent activities in Canvas (9/28/2026–10/9/2026)
• Virtual session on Zoom (10/9/2026, 9:30–11:30 a.m.)

Part 2

• Independent activities in Canvas (10/12/2026–10/23/2026)
• Virtual session on Zoom (10/23/2026, 9:30–11:30 a.m.)

Part 3

• Independent activities in Canvas (10/26/2026–11/13/2026)
• Hybrid session* (11/13/2026, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.)

Part 4: Coaching

• Independent activities in Canvas (11/16/2026–12/12/2026)
• Coaching Meeting (on your schedule, 12/4/2026–12/18/2026)

Optional: End of Year Showcase

• Virtual session on Zoom (4/23/2027, 9:30–11:30 a.m.)

*If participant interest and availability allow, this session will be offered in a hybrid format: those interested and able to join in person would meet at EDC Waltham. Those not able to join in person would meet via a Zoom meeting.

Access & Support: You will receive instructions for accessing the synchronous sessions via Zoom and course materials in Canvas from Sovanna Carnell Guyon one week before the course open date. If you need technical assistance to access the course or course features, please contact Sovanna at sovanna.carnellguyon@jsi.org.