CALIFORNIA ADULT LITERACY
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

This summer adult educators can choose from three free, facilitated professional development online courses on topics such as adult learning and development, learner persistence, and managing the multilevel ESL class.

In facilitated courses, participants network with colleagues across the state, get input and feedback from a subject-area expert, and discover the latest in related research.

Each course lasts four weeks and allows participants to log in at their convenience to complete weekly assignments and participate in discussions. Participants also have the option to meet with each other and their facilitator in real-time during two course Webinars.

Enrollment for facilitated classes is limited and available on a first-registered, first-enrolled basis. For registration, follow the link to the Online Course Schedule. For more information, visit the Online Courses Web page and get answers to Frequently Asked Questions.

The California Adult Literacy Professional Development Project (CALPRO) is pleased to announce several new online trainings conducted in real time. Beginning in May, adult education subject-area experts will facilitate three-hour interactive workshops delivered in segments of 90 minutes or less. Topics include Advising the Adult Learner: The Teacher's Role, Teaching Critical Thinking, and Managed Enrollment. The training requires no travel expenses or registration fees. All you need to participate is a computer with a high-speed Internet connection and a telephone to join a toll-free teleconference. All who complete the training will receive a certificate of attendance, stating the number of hours of the web-based training.

Registration is limited and enrollment is based on a first-come, first-registered basis. For registration and additional information, go to the May Event Calendar and click on the title of the online workshop.

This spring why not join your colleagues across California in a facilitated online course? CALPRO offers free professional development courses which you can take via the Internet any time, any place. All you need to get started is an e-mail account, Internet access, and an average of three hours per week for study, scheduled at your own convenience.

Registration is now open for facilitated online classes beginning in April, including: Optimizing ESL Instructional Planning: Management, Monitoring and Reflection and Using Questioning Strategies to Improve Instruction, Session 1.

Through these classes you can exchange ideas with other adult educators, get input from a subject-area expert, and register for Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Enrollment for these facilitated courses is limited, so sign up now!

Another option is to take a self-directed online course, in which you work independently, at your own pace. CALPRO has three self-study courses available, including Learner Goal Setting in Adult Education Programs, Orientation for New ABE Teachers, and Orientation for New ESL Teachers.

For a schedule of online courses, registration information, and other details, visit the CALPRO Online Courses Web page.

The California Adult Literacy Professional Development Project (CALPRO) is pleased to announce a new online workshop: Managed Enrollment. This training is conducted entirely online and in "real time" facilitated by an adult education expert in managed enrollment. It requires no travel expenses or registration fees. Participants work together for a total of 2.5 hours.

Many programs in California have found managed enrollment to be effective in improving student retention. Administrators may select a team from their agency to participate in this training and learn how managed enrollment might help their agencies.

Applications are due Feb 16, 2010, and the training will be held on Feb. 24 and Mar. 10. Click the following link for the application and additional information.

Managed Enrollment Invitation Letter and Application [PDF]

CALPRO is pleased to announce the opening of its Virtual Workroom for Multilevel ESL Instructors and companion electronic Professional Learning Community (e-PLC). Within the Virtual Workroom, multilevel ESL instructors can find a wide range of professional development resources addressing five central challenges: needs assessment, lesson planning, group work, materials, and evaluation.

The centerpiece of the Virtual Workroom is a new series of podcasts (short audio presentations) entitled Making the Most of the Multilevel Class. Accompanying the podcast series is a host of supporting materials.

Eligible instructors are invited to join the companion electronic Professional Learning Community, where they can network with other multilevel teachers, get advice from experts and mentors, exchange materials, and more!

For more information, log in to the Virtual Workroom at http://www.calpro-online.org/VirtualWorkroom/default.asp.

CALPRO's newest self-directed online course, Learner Goal Setting in Adult Education Programs, provides effective strategies for adult education teachers to help learners set realistic goals and to revisit and refine those goals, as necessary, throughout the program year. In this professional development course, individual educators work independently and may access the course whenever they like.

For a course description, registration, and additional information, visit the Online Courses Web page.

The California Adult Literacy Professional Development Project (CALPRO) is pleased to offer California adult educators the opportunity to participate in the 2009-2010 CALPRO Professional Learning Communities (PLC) Institute. All California Department of Education, Adult Education Office WIA Title II or State Apportionment funded agencies are eligible to apply.

CALPRO has been working with a PLC Field Experts Team to develop this year's PLC Institute. The PLC Institute will take place in two sessions. The first a three-day session on December 7, 8 & 9 and the second a two-day session in May (date TBD). Applicants must be able to attend all five days of the institute.

The 3-day session in December (taking place in Sacramento, Ca) will provide agencies the framework and the training needed to develop and sustain a PLC process of school improvement focusing on student learning through embedded professional development (PD). In order to sustain this endeavor, CALPRO will offer each agency coaching opportunities from a member of our PLC Field Experts Team between the December and May sessions. The two days in May will be devoted to feedback, evaluation and problem solving from the participating agencies. Up to 12 agencies will be invited to send a team of two, their Director/ Principal and one teacher or PD staff person, to participate in the Institute.

PLC Application Form

PLC Questions and Answers

CALPRO offers research-based workshops specific to adult basic education (ABE), adult secondary education (ASE), and English as a second language (ESL) content as well as workshops related to good instructional practice important for all content areas. The CALPRO Web site lists workshop titles, descriptions, goals, and objectives.

Visit the CALPRO Workshops Web page.

CALPROgress is the newsletter of the California Adult Literacy Professional Development Project. In this newsletter you will find articles that are theme based and focus on useful information about research and best practices in professional development. In addition, each issue contains links to important national, state, and local web sites, and useful resources.

CALPROgress is published twice a year, both in hard copy and on our Web site (PDF format). The available issues are listed below:

Current Issues

• Spring 2010 [PDF] Alignment
• Fall 2009 [PDF] Collaborations
• Spring 2009 [PDF] Transitions

Past Issues

• View past issues of CALPROgress

For information regarding the strategic planning process, visit: http://www.otan.us/strategicplanning or contact Diane Hurley at: dhurley@cde.ca.gov

The Catalog of CALPRO Professional Development Resources represents a comprehensive guide to CALPRO's many professional development products and services, such as workshops, online courses, resources guides, and research-based publications.

Download the Catalog of CALPRO Professional Development Resources [PDF]

Since 2001, CALPRO has trained California adult educators to deliver workshops on various topics. These facilitators are available to help ensure that an agency’s teaching staff continues to grow professionally.

The California Department of Education and CALPRO encourage local adult education agencies to use these workshops for site-based professional development opportunities for their staff members.

Click on the link below to download the fact sheet. The fact sheet outlines the process for scheduling CALPRO workshops.

Download Process for Scheduling CALPRO Workshops [PDF]

Download Host CALPRO Workshops for Your Region [PDF]

The Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) Clearinghouse on Adult, Career, and Vocational Education (ACVE) closed its doors on December 31, 2003. Over the years, the Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) developed and produced a rich collection of publications pertaining to research and practice in adult, career, and vocational education.

CALPRO is pleased to announce that the complete archives of all ERIC ACVE publications can be accessed on the CALPRO Web site.

View the ERIC Document Collection on the CALPRO Web Site