Beyond the MOU: Redefining Partnerships in Adult Education

What IS a partnership in adult education—and what SHOULD it be? In this session, participants will explore the deeper meaning of partnership beyond formal agreements or compliance-based collaboration. Drawing on real-world examples, this session invites attendees to critically examine the assumptions, expectations, and aspirations embedded in the word “partnership.”

The session will offer a framework for identifying the types of partnerships—transactional, strategic, and transformational—and engage participants in a discussion on how to build relationships rooted in mutual benefit, shared purpose, trust, and collective impact. We will explore how values such as equity, reciprocity, and transparency shape the success or failure of partnerships—and how to navigate power dynamics between agencies of different sizes, resources, and roles.

Special focus will be given to how strong partnerships contribute to collective impact—aligning goals, measurements, and resources across institutions to address shared challenges in adult education. Participants will reflect on how partnerships can shift from isolated efforts to coordinated, community-wide strategies that center the needs of adult learners.

Workforce Ecosystem Collaborative: Convenings #1, #2, #3

Come and learn what we’ve learned from a national Workforce Ecosystem Collaborative which has brought together leading organizations (see list below) dedicated to building a robust, inclusive, and future-ready workforce. The purpose of these convenings is to explore issues in the workforce and education ecosystem and the value of collaborating to address them. The responses to a survey sent prior to the 1^st convening highlighted the excitement about networking, learning from diverse perspectives, and exploring collaborative approaches to addressing workforce and education issues. Attendees expressed enthusiasm for sharing ideas and building connections to advance workforce development efforts, emphasizing the collective knowledge and experience in addressing workforce and education challenges, the vast expertise in their respective fields, and the desire to help individuals support themselves and their families.

The Next Generation: IET Models in California

Integrated Education and Training (IET) can be used for all adult learners to find success in Career Technical Education classes. In this session attendees will learn about successful IET models in the healthcare career cluster. Attendees will also get a sneak peek at the new IET model which will be rolled out with the next WIOA, Title II grant cycle starting July 2026. This will include the vision and mission for IET and a tool kit.

Keynote – How Adults Learn: The Difference Between Pedagogy, Andragogy and Heutagogy

Adults learn differently than children, and therefore require a different set of instructional strategies in the classroom to maximize measurable skills gains. This workshop will cover the assumptions about adult learners, learning styles and cycles, contextualized learning, adult learning theory, student learning outcomes, and strategies to enhance learning for adult students. In addition to theory, you will learn practical strategies that can be used in classrooms to increase content retention and skills mastery. This workshop will cover the assumptions about adult learners, learning styles and cycles, contextualized learning, adult learning theory, student learning outcomes, and strategies to enhance learning for adult students.

Increasing MSG Gain on TABE Assessments

Improving Measurable Skill Gains (MSG) is at the heart of strong adult education outcomes, yet many programs continue to struggle with helping learners advance efficiently through TABE levels. This session provides a practical, research-informed roadmap for increasing MSG performance by strengthening instruction, assessment readiness, and program design. Participants will explore evidence-based strategies for boosting TABE skill development, including diagnostic-driven instruction, targeted remediation, and integration of digital tools that reinforce foundational literacy and numeracy. The session will also examine common barriers—such as inconsistent attendance, test anxiety, and misalignment between curriculum and TABE competencies—and offer actionable solutions to address them.

Through real-world examples, data insights, and interactive discussion, attendees will learn how to build a coherent instructional system that supports continuous learner progress. The workshop will highlight coaching strategies for faculty, classroom practices that accelerate skill gain, and program structures that create predictable opportunities for learners to demonstrate improvement. Participants will leave with clearly defined approaches they can implement immediately to raise MSG outcomes, improve TABE performance, and strengthen overall program effectiveness.

CASAS CONNECTS: Using Data to Inform Instruction

This session will highlight the newly NRS approved CASAS Math GOALS 2 assessments, ideate the specific changes from Math GOALS 1, and preview upcoming changes to Reading GOALS 2. Additionally covered will be Aztec’s new CASAS CONNECTS, a new data integration tool that links CASAS assessment data to Aztec individualized learning plans.

Workforce Ecosystem Collaborative: Convenings #1, #2

Come and learn what we’ve learned from a national Workforce Ecosystem Collaborative which has brought together leading organizations (see list below) dedicated to building a robust, inclusive, and future-ready workforce. The purpose of these convenings is to explore issues in the workforce and education ecosystem and the value of collaborating to address them. The responses to a survey sent prior to the 1^st convening highlighted the excitement about networking, learning from diverse perspectives, and exploring collaborative approaches to addressing workforce and education issues. Attendees expressed enthusiasm for sharing ideas and building connections to advance workforce development efforts, emphasizing the collective knowledge and experience in addressing workforce and education challenges, the vast expertise in their respective fields, and the desire to help individuals support themselves and their families. Founding organizations for the Collaborative include:

• Association for Career and Technical Education
• ACTEAssociation of Chamber of Commerce Executives Foundation, ACCE
• Bray Strategies
• The Coalition on Adult Basic Education, COABE
• Correctional Education Association, CEA
• National Association of State Directors of Adult Education, NASDAE
• The National Association of Workforce Boards, NAWB
• National Association of Workforce Development Professionals
• NAWDPNational Coalition of Certification Centers
• NC³
• P2C Solutions, LLC
• The Center for Work Ethic Development/Aztec Software

How Adults Learn: The Difference Between Pedagogy, Andragogy and Heutagogy

Adults learn differently than children, and therefore require a different set of instructional strategies in the classroom to maximize measurable skills gains. This workshop will cover the assumptions about adult learners, learning styles and cycles, contextualized learning, adult learning theory, student learning outcomes, and strategies to enhance learning for adult students. In addition to theory, you will learn practical strategies that can be used in classrooms to increase content retention and skills mastery. This workshop will cover the assumptions about adult learners, learning styles and cycles, contextualized learning, adult learning theory, student learning outcomes, and strategies to enhance learning for adult students.

How Adults Learn: The Difference Between Pedagogy, Andragogy and Heutagogy

Adults learn differently than children, and therefore require a different set of instructional strategies in the classroom to maximize measurable skills gains. This workshop will cover the assumptions about adult learners, learning styles and cycles, contextualized learning, adult learning theory, student learning outcomes, and strategies to enhance learning for adult students. In addition to theory, you will learn practical strategies that can be used in classrooms to increase content retention and skills mastery. This workshop will cover the assumptions about adult learners, learning styles and cycles, contextualized learning, adult learning theory, student learning outcomes, and strategies to enhance learning for adult students.

Leadership and Innovation: Theory to Practice for Adult Ed Teachers

Leadership and innovation don’t only come from school administrators. Teachers are leaders and innovators every day in their classrooms. This workshop will focus on identifying your leadership style, understanding the 5 skills of disruptive innovation, and putting your leadership skills into best practice. Participants will learn strategies that can be implemented immediately in their classrooms and schools to enhance student outcomes through leadership action and operational innovations. Students will benefit from more engaged instructors and administrators who are striving for innovation in adult education.