- There has been little rigorous research on whether particular strategies in adult education improve learner outcomes.
- The rigorous research that has been conducted does not address the full set of outcome areas that federal policy emphasizes. Studies measuring basic skills such as literacy did not measure longer-term outcomes such as credential attainment and earnings. Studies that investigated longer-term outcomes did not measure basic skills.
- The available evidence provides limited support for the use of particular adult education strategies over others, although bridge classes and integrated education and training programs offer some promise.
- Introduction to Toolkit and Overview of TBCAE Project: Overview of the TBCAE project approach and implementation and an overview of the tools, checklists, forms, and resources referenced in the Toolkit.
- Planning Text Messaging in Adult Education Programs: Descriptions of the steps staff can take in planning the use of text messaging with adult education learners.
- Implementing Text Messaging in Adult Education Programs: Information to help adult education staff implement and track activities in using text messaging.
- Adult Education State Leadership Support for the Use of Text Messaging: Suggestions for state staff on how to support adult education program staff in using text messaging.
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Abstract:
This webinar highlights hospitality and customer service as keys to effective adult education. When educators create a warm, respectful, and supportive environment, learners feel valued, build trust, and stay motivated. By prioritizing these principles, programs can foster lasting growth and long-term success for every adult learner. Original webinar date: February 25, 2026 Webinar recording link: https://youtu.be/3lwIC2_GJtA
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Abstract:
This compendium describes five innovative practices in bridge and integrated education and training (IET) programs as selected by the Advancing Innovation in Adult Education project.
This compendium describes five innovative practices selected by the Advancing Innovation in Adult Education project. The adult practices highlighted illustrate innovative and enhanced approaches for providing bridge and integrated education and training (IET) programs that assist adult learners in developing the skills, abilities, and knowledge they need to enroll in postsecondary education or occupational training, earn short-term credentials, and obtain employment.
Benefits and Uses
This compendium provides information about two types of practices: bridge programs and integrated education and training (IET) programs. Adult education bridge programs prepare adults to enroll in postsecondary education and training through occupationally contextualized literacy and numeracy instruction and career and college success activities. IET programs enable adult learners to develop their foundational skills and workforce preparation skills through occupational training that leads to educational and career advancement.
A variety of stakeholders will find this information useful, including AE state staff; AE program administrators, instructors, and staff; workforce development staff; federal agency staff; and AE researchers.
This compendium describes the project’s criteria for the selection of innovative practices, and provides context for the practices that were selected and profiles each of the innovative practices.
Resource Notice
This site includes links to information created by other public and private organizations. These links are provided for the user’s convenience. The U.S. Department of Education does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this non-ED information. The inclusion of these links is not intended to reflect their importance, nor is it intended to endorse views expressed, or products or services offered, on these non-ED sites.
Please note that privacy policies on non-ED sites may differ from ED’s privacy policy. When you visit lincs.ed.gov, no personal information is collected unless you choose to provide that information to us. We do not give, share, sell, or transfer any personal information to a third party. We recommend that you read the privacy policy of non-ED websites that you visit. We invite you to read our privacy policy.
Publication Year
2021
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Abstract:
A new IES snapshot, Adult Education Strategies: Identifying and Building Evidence of Effectiveness, summarizes a systematic review of existing, rigorous research on the effectiveness of categories of adult education strategies.
Nearly 43 million U.S. adults lack the basic English literacy skills required to succeed in the workforce and achieve economic self-sufficiency. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is the key federal investment helping adults acquire these and other important skills, as well as to earn a high school equivalency credential. WIOA encourages adult education programs to use evidence-based strategies to improve services and participant success. This systematic research review suggests a need for more rigorous studies, as there is not yet much evidence to guide decision making around instructional and support strategies for adult learners.
The appendices for the Adult Education Strategies: Identifying and Building Evidence of Effectiveness snapshot may be found here: https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/pubs/2021007/pdf/2021007a.pdf.
Benefits and Uses
This IES snapshot, Adult Education Strategies: Identifying and Building Evidence of Effectiveness, summarizes a systematic review of existing, rigorous research on the effectiveness of categories of adult education strategies. Key findings include –
Resource Notice
This site includes links to information created by other public and private organizations. These links are provided for the user’s convenience. The U.S. Department of Education does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this non-ED information. The inclusion of these links is not intended to reflect their importance, nor is it intended to endorse views expressed, or products or services offered, on these non-ED sites.
Please note that privacy policies on non-ED sites may differ from ED’s privacy policy. When you visit lincs.ed.gov, no personal information is collected unless you choose to provide that information to us. We do not give, share, sell, or transfer any personal information to a third party. We recommend that you read the privacy policy of non-ED websites that you visit. We invite you to read our privacy policy.
Publication Year
2021
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Abstract:
This website provides free contextualized video lessons and resources for adult educators and adult students.
To support adult students who lack just a few skills that could push them ahead of the rest on a job interview, the Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy & Learning (TCALL), at Texas A&M University developed 20 video lessons in English and 20 in Spanish that included topics identified through a needs assessment from adult education teachers around Texas. These lessons are tied to the Texas Adult Education Content Standards. The entire lesson plan and accompanying resources are provided for teachers to teach the lesson in their own classroom as well.
Benefits and Uses
This resource was designed for adult educators. A comprehensive lesson plan is included for each of the 20 lessons with lesson objectives, assessments, activities, and more. Lesson plans are written at both lower and higher educational functioning levels. These lessons can be used in subject matter classes or as part of an integrated education and training program.
The "About" page of the website clearly states how adult educators can use the resource. The videos can be used to teach the first sections of each lesson: Warm-up, Presentation, Modeling, and Guided Practice. Because the videos and student resources are all online, the resource can be used to support a flipped or blended class as well as for distance learning curriculum. Some of the lesson plans specifically suggest how to use the video. The videos are current and compelling, featuring adult learners from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
The supplemental teacher resources are useful for new and seasoned educators. New educators might like the ability to have the concepts taught in the video and then reinforced in class. Seasoned teachers might get ideas for new approaches to teaching certain topics and skills. Limited preparation would be needed to use this resource effectively with adult learners.
Required Training
No prior training required.
What the experts say
The Adult Ed Med Contextualized Video Lessons provide adult educators with easy-to-use materials that support the delivery of quality lessons that engage adult learners both inside and outside of the classroom. The videos feature adult educators, a set of adult learner personas, and authentic adult scenarios. The use of diverse adult learners in the Meet our Learners videos may help adult learners feel a sense of belongingness and desire to work through the skill videos. Additionally, the complete lesson plans articulated at both lower and higher educational functioning levels make these resources 'plug and play' for math, reading, ELA, and workforce preparation instructors.
Resource Notice
This site includes links to information created by other public and private organizations. These links are provided for the user’s convenience. The U.S. Department of Education does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this non-ED information. The inclusion of these links is not intended to reflect their importance, nor is it intended to endorse views expressed, or products or services offered, on these non-ED sites.
Please note that privacy policies on non-ED sites may differ from ED’s privacy policy. When you visit lincs.ed.gov, no personal information is collected unless you choose to provide that information to us. We do not give, share, sell, or transfer any personal information to a third party. We recommend that you read the privacy policy of non-ED websites that you visit. We invite you to read our privacy policy.
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Publication Year
2021
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Abstract:
This resource is a realistic job preview of what a day as a direct support professional in Tennessee is like.
The realistic job preview (RJP) is a tool that can help increase retention by giving adult learners a look at what the job is really like before they accept the job offer by showing all aspects of the job, both positive and challenging, and highlighting the duties, responsibilities, schedule, pay, and benefits of the job. This RJP can help adult learners make an informed decision about whether or not they would like to work as a Direct Service Professional in Tennessee.
Benefits and Uses
The video shows many different types of people (men, women, younger people, older people, different races) being a DSP. The video has the DSPs speaking about the profession and also the individuals that are supported by DSPs. It shows the many different environments and situations that a DSP may encounter.
The video gives very specific real-life examples of the challenges of the job. Being able to see and hear and pause the video and watch again can be very helpful for an adult learner to decide if they could handle those challenges.
Required Training
No prior training required.
What the experts say
The vignettes in this career exploration video on Direct Support Professionals (DSP) are quick, informative, interesting, engaging, and personal with people that really do have a passion for their profession. The vocabulary used throughout was consistent and what was being said clearly matched what you were seeing on the video.
The video goes into the categories of settings, types of care, and types of skills needed for the jobs and also the rewards and benefits.
Resource Notice
This site includes links to information created by other public and private organizations. These links are provided for the user’s convenience. The U.S. Department of Education does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this non-ED information. The inclusion of these links is not intended to reflect their importance, nor is it intended to endorse views expressed, or products or services offered, on these non-ED sites.
Please note that privacy policies on non-ED sites may differ from ED’s privacy policy. When you visit lincs.ed.gov, no personal information is collected unless you choose to provide that information to us. We do not give, share, sell, or transfer any personal information to a third party. We recommend that you read the privacy policy of non-ED websites that you visit. We invite you to read our privacy policy.
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Publication Year
2021
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Abstract:
The TBCAE Toolkit was developed to assist adult education program administrators, program staff, and state staff in planning and implementing text messaging that supports adult education learners’ program participation and attainment of education outcomes.
The TBCAE Toolkit is designed to assist adult education program administrators, program staff, and state staff in planning and implementing text messaging that supports adult education learners’ program participation and attainment of education outcomes. The information in the TBCAE Toolkit is based on prior research on the use of text messaging with adult learners and lessons from the TBCAE project’s implementation of individualized and personalized text messaging with more than 400 adult education learners from 10 adult education programs in four states.
Benefits and Uses
The TBCAE Toolkit is beneficial to adult education staff because it provides: (1) a process for integrating text messaging into adult education programs’ services to support learners’ persistence and development of knowledge and skills, and (2) tools to plan the intentional use of individualized and personalized text messaging as proactive communication with learners that anticipates and addresses challenges that they may encounter. The toolkit comprises five sections:
Required Training
No prior training required.
Resource Notice
This site includes links to information created by other public and private organizations. These links are provided for the user’s convenience. The U.S. Department of Education does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this non-ED information. The inclusion of these links is not intended to reflect their importance, nor is it intended to endorse views expressed, or products or services offered, on these non-ED sites.
Please note that privacy policies on non-ED sites may differ from ED’s privacy policy. When you visit lincs.ed.gov, no personal information is collected unless you choose to provide that information to us. We do not give, share, sell, or transfer any personal information to a third party. We recommend that you read the privacy policy of non-ED websites that you visit. We invite you to read our privacy policy.
Publication Year
2021
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Abstract:
This Guide is designed for people who are incarcerated and for those on community supervision (probation and parole) to help them get started—or continue—on the path to further education and training.
The Take Charge guide is designed for people who have been incarcerated, and for those on community supervision (probation and parole). It will help them begin-or continue-on the path toward furthering their education or training.
Benefits and Uses
The updated version of the Take Charge of Your Future guide provides an overview of the current education and training landscape to help target audience make informed decisions about their next steps in a career pathway. It includes tips for finding community resources and profiles of and advice from formerly incarcerated individuals about the importance of education and training in their lives.
Required Training
None
Resource Notice
This site includes links to information created by other public and private organizations. These links are provided for the user’s convenience. The U.S. Department of Education does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this non-ED information. The inclusion of these links is not intended to reflect their importance, nor is it intended to endorse views expressed, or products or services offered, on these non-ED sites.
Please note that privacy policies on non-ED sites may differ from ED’s privacy policy. When you visit lincs.ed.gov, no personal information is collected unless you choose to provide that information to us. We do not give, share, sell, or transfer any personal information to a third party. We recommend that you read the privacy policy of non-ED websites that you visit. We invite you to read our privacy policy.
Publication Year
2022
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Abstract:
Pennsylvania adult education programs are expected to use CCRS-based lessons and assignments as the core of instruction. This website includes tools, resources, and on-demand professional development modules to support the use of Pennsylvania's College and Career Readiness Standards in adult education.
The College and Career Readiness Standards for Adult Education (CCRS) are a subset of the Common Core State Standards that reflect broad agreement among subject matter experts in adult education about what adult students need to know to be prepared for the rigors of post-secondary education and the workplace. Pennsylvania adult education programs are expected to use CCRS-based lessons and assignments as the core of instruction. Below are tools, resources, and on-demand professional development modules to support the use of the CCRS. Resources are organized by category. If you are not sure where to begin, talk to your in-house professional development specialist or read the suggestions provided in each section.
Resource Notice
This site includes links to information created by other public and private organizations. These links are provided for the user’s convenience. The U.S. Department of Education does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this non-ED information. The inclusion of these links is not intended to reflect their importance, nor is it intended to endorse views expressed, or products or services offered, on these non-ED sites.
Please note that privacy policies on non-ED sites may differ from ED’s privacy policy. When you visit lincs.ed.gov, no personal information is collected unless you choose to provide that information to us. We do not give, share, sell, or transfer any personal information to a third party. We recommend that you read the privacy policy of non-ED websites that you visit. We invite you to read our privacy policy.
Publication Year
2022