Deadline for Registration is Monday, April 27, 2015
*A/B* Workshops will be held on Wednesday, April 29th
*C/D* Workshops will be held on Thursday, April 30th
Annual ABE Directors’ Meeting
April 29-30, 2015
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), approved by Congress in July 2014, poses
new requirements for ABE but also offers opportunities for our state and the nation. The goal of
this two-day meeting is to equip participants to meet the challenges of implementing the new
requirements while taking advantage of the opportunities presented by this groundbreaking
legislation.
On Day One, keynote speaker Kim Marshall will share his insights on educational leadership. On
Day Two, a panel of workforce development professionals will discuss strategies for strengthening
collaborations among ABE, workforce, and higher education. Both days will feature a diverse
selection of workshops showcasing WIOA-related policy changes and promising practices to help
programs respond to these changes.
We look forward to seeing you in Westford.
Keynote Address
Wednesday, April 29th – 9:30am-10:30am – Regency Ballroom
Kim Marshall was a teacher, central office administrator, and principal in the Boston Public
Schools. He now advises and coaches new principals; teaches courses and leads workshops on
instructional leadership; and publishes a weekly newsletter, the Marshall Memo, which summarizes
ideas and research from fifty publications.
In his keynote address, Kim will share a framework for supervision and evaluation that empowers
both directors and teachers. Through frequent feedback and coaching, teachers improve their
professional practice, leading to higher student performance.
Table Talk
Wednesday, April 29th – 3:00-3:45pm – Regency Ballroom
The evaluations from last year’s Directors’ Meeting clearly indicated the desire of participants for
more opportunities to network with colleagues. This year, you will have this opportunity at the
Table Talk session held on Day One.
Tables will be designated with one discussion topic each. Attendees choose which topics interest
them and join in the discussion at that table. Stay for 45 minutes, stay for 10 minutes. It’s up to
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*A/B* Workshops will be held on Wednesday, April 29th
*C/D* Workshops will be held on Thursday, April 30th
you. Join in as many discussions as you please. The facilitator at each table will keep the
discussion moving and ACLS staff will be available for policy related questions.
Panel Description
Workforce Development Panel
Thursday, April 30th – 9:00-9:30am – Regency Ballroom
Q&A 9:30-9:40am
A panel of workforce development professionals will share their insights on preparing for WIOA
and strengthening partnerships among ABE, workforce, and higher education. Hear first hand
from the experts how the three systems can work together to provide career pathways for ABE
students.
Panelists:
Dale Allen, Special Assistant to the Commissioner, MA Department of Higher
Education, and Vice President for Community Engagement, Quinsigamond
Community College
Jennifer James, Director of Education and Workforce Development, Workforce
Skills Cabinet, Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development
Cheryl Scott, Director, Massachusetts Workforce Investment Board
Alice Sweeney, Director, Massachusetts Department of Career Services
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*A/B* Workshops will be held on Wednesday, April 29th
*C/D* Workshops will be held on Thursday, April 30th
Session A
A1 Workplace Education: An Overview of the Two Phases-Planning to Implementation
Wednesday, April 29th 10:45am -12:15pm – Emerson (capacity 30)
This workshop will provide an overview of workplace education including planning and
implementation phases. Presenters will share information for conducting a workplace needs
analysis, developing contextualized curriculum, and establishing effective workplace education
partnerships.
Presenters:
Joan Abbot, Assistant Director, BEST Corp.
Kelly Morgan, Program Manager, BEST Corp.
Connie Nelson, Consultant, Round Table
Olivia Steele, Team Leader, ACLS
A2 Education & Career Planning – From Requirements to Useful Implementation
Wednesday, April 29th 10:45am -12:15pm – Thoreau (capacity 30)
Participants will hear from representatives of Framingham Adult ESLPlus who will discuss the
following:
 Adapting education and career plans (ECPs) to meet the needs of all levels of ESL and
High School Equivalency (HSE) students
 How to integrate the goal setting and education and career planning processes
 A mechanism for capturing data
Presenters will share resources and processes they have developed to assist students in creating
useful ECPs.
Presenters: Marie Narvaez, Program Specialist, ACLS
Kevin O’Connor, Associate Director, Framingham Adult ESL Plus
Christine Tibor, Director, Framingham Adult ESL Plus
A3 How to Integrate Pre-STEM Thinking and Careers into your ABE Program
Wednesday, April 29th 10:45am -12:15pm – Salem (capacity 35)
With more emphasis than ever on college and careers, it is essential for ABE directors and
teachers to promote pre-STEM thinking and science-related careers into programs. Join us for an
engaging hands-on life science and career exploration workshop. No science background is
necessary; just roll up your sleeves and join the fun.
Presenter:
Kermit Dunkelberg, Assistant Vice President, Holyoke Community College
Aisha Mershani, Career Development Counselor, Holyoke Community College
A4 De-Mystifying the Development of an ELA Scope and Sequence
Wednesday, April 29th 10:45am -12:15pm – Concord (capacity 60)
This session will share ACLS’s message regarding the purpose and components of an English
Language Arts scope and sequence and the steps in developing one for ABE programs. Key
resources such as sample templates and sample scope and sequences from different ABE
programs will be provided. There will also be time for discussion and questions.
Presenters:
Jane Schwerdtfeger, Curriculum Specialist, ACLS
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*A/B* Workshops will be held on Wednesday, April 29th
*C/D* Workshops will be held on Thursday, April 30th
A5 Massachusetts Professional Standards for Teachers of Adult English Speakers of Other
Languages
Wednesday, April 29th 10:45am -12:15pm – Westford A (capacity 50)
Completed in the spring of 2014, The Massachusetts Professional Standards for Teachers of Adult
ESOL outline what teachers of adult ELLs need to know and be able to do. This workshop
explores both the standards and the professional development offerings that are aligned with the
standards. Participants will learn how the standards and corresponding PD can guide program and
staff development and directly impact ESOL teaching and learning.
Presenters: Lisa Baroletti Stewart, ESOL Curriculum Development Consultants Boston Public
Schools
Janet Fischer, ESOL Curriculum Development Consultants Lawrence Public
Schools
Joan LeMarbre, ACLS Professional Development Specialist
Dori McCormack, Director, SABES PD Center for ESOL
A6 Blazing the Trail: Destination- High Quality Professional Development
Wednesday, April 29th 10:45am -12:15pm – Westford B (capacity 50)
This session’s presenters will share strategies to ensure that all professional development (PD) is
of high quality whether the PD is created and presented internally or staff attends PD through
SABES. Strategies for overcoming obstacles for everyone participating in high quality PD will be
discussed. Presenters will share systems for leading, tracking and evaluating PD for all educators.
Presenters: Karen Chaparian, Coordinator, Quinsigamond Community College- Assabet Valley
Regional Technical High School
Christine Cordio, Director, Clinton Adult Learning Center
Sue Miller, Director, SABES PD Center for Educational Leadership and
Strengthening ABE Programs
Dale Sanborn, Director, Mount Wachusett Community College
A7 Killing Two Birds with One Stone: HiSET Preparation Within a CCR-Aligned Curriculum
Wednesday, April 29th 10:45am -12:15pm – Westford C (capacity 50)
College and career readiness (CCR) is a major goal of adult education in Massachusetts and
something our students must have in order to earn family-sustaining wages. Along the way, of
course, most of them must obtain a High School Equivalency Credential, which means passing the
HiSET. This session will describe the predominant skills, content knowledge, and habits of mind
required for each of the five subtests of the 2015 HiSET while demonstrating ways that HiSETfocused curricula, pedagogy, and program design can be fully aligned with the College and Career
Readiness standards for adult education.
Presenter:
Tom Mechem, State Chief Examiner for High School Equivalency, ACLS
Session B
B1 Navigating the ESE Fiscal System for ABE Program Directors
Wednesday, April 29th 1:15pm – 2:45pm – Emerson (capacity 30)
This session will provide an opportunity to learn how to manage ESE/ABE awards and financial
activities properly. The presenter will guide participants through standard procedures the ESE has
developed to help grant recipients comply with administrative procedures and requirements for the
use of public funds and accepted accounting practices. These include the difference between
direct, indirect, and administrative costs, budget applications and amendments, the process for
4
*A/B* Workshops will be held on Wednesday, April 29th
*C/D* Workshops will be held on Thursday, April 30th
requesting funds, final financial reports, audits, and other fiscal related topics. There will be ample
opportunity for participants to ask questions.
Presenter:
Dave LeBlanc, Director of Audits and Compliance, Department of Elementary and
Secondary Education
B2 Assess Program Activities to Meet Workforce Innovation and Opportunity (WIOA)
Requirements
Wednesday, April 29th 1:15pm – 2:45pm – Westford B (capacity 50)
In this session participants will assess their readiness for new governing legislation, the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), signed into law in July 2014. During FY16, ACLS and the
field will transition from the current legislation, the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), which since
1998 has served as the guiding legislation for the ABE system, to the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (WIOA). This session will help participants see the services and/or activities
currently in place in their programs that align with WIOA and will help identify WIOA activities that
need to be in place for full implementation. This session will provide an opportunity to discuss
recently released WIOA draft regulations.
Presenters: Jolanta Conway, ABE MA State Director, ACLS
Olivia Steele, Team Leader, ACLS
B3 Educator Policy: Opportunities for Growth
Wednesday, April 29th 1:15pm – 2:45pm – Salem (capacity 35)
ACLS is proposing two policies that support and build the capacity of high quality teachers and
effective instruction. Directors and teachers, who have been piloting the draft Massachusetts ABE
Educator Evaluation System, will share successes and challenges of the implementation phase,
and members of the educator policy team (EPT) will present a newly drafted credentialing pathway
for teachers.
Presenters: Judy Canney, Teacher, Rockland Public Schools
Cathy Coleman, Teacher, Quinsigamond Community College
Dorothy Hanrahan, Teacher, Rockland Public Schools
Maria Kefallinou, Director, Quinsigamond Community College
Nicole, McNeil, Teacher, Holyoke Public Schools
Kevin O’Connor, Coordinator, Framingham Public Schools
Fred Venne, Venne Consulting
B4 Beyond Scope and Sequence: A Math Curriculum Aligned to the CCRSAE
Wednesday, April 29th 1:15pm – 2:45pm – Concord (capacity 60)
This session will review the important elements of a math curriculum, including a focus on what
effective math instruction should look like. Participants will be introduced to ways of overcoming
some of the challenges of developing a math curriculum aligned to the CCR Standards and
designed to promote deep and genuine student understanding and achievement. Materials and
lessons from this session will be most valuable in assisting participants to successfully fulfill
ACLS’s modified requirements on curriculum development.
Presenters:
Donna Curry, SABES Math/Numeracy PD Center Director, TERC
Tom Mechem, State Chief Examiner for High School Equivalency, ACLS
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*A/B* Workshops will be held on Wednesday, April 29th
*C/D* Workshops will be held on Thursday, April 30th
B5 Developing a Scope and Sequence for an ESOL Curriculum
Wednesday, April 29th 1:15pm – 2:45pm – Westford A (capacity 50)
This session will review the essential elements of an ESOL scope and sequence and the process
for developing one. Presenters will walk participants through a checklist for program selfassessment and a scope and sequence template for one class level. ESOL professional
development providers will share promising practices from the field.
Presenters: Lisa Baroletti Stewart, ESOL Curriculum Development Consultants Boston Public
Schools
Janet Fischer, ESOL Curriculum Development Consultants Lawrence Public
Schools
Dori McCormack, Director, SABES PD Center for ESOL
Jane Schwerdtfeger, ACLS Curriculum Specialist
B6 A Look at the WIOA Performance Measures
Wednesday, April 29th 1:15pm – 2:45pm – Thoreau (capacity 30)
In this session, ACLS staff will provide an overview of the WIOA performance measures. Federal
reports and data will be shared with participants for context. In small groups, participants will
review the language in the WIOA legislation and share potential program implications.
Presenters: Donna Cornellier, SMARTT Project Manager, ESE
Brian Newquist, Senior Data Analyst, ACLS
Cheryl Ransom, Transition Education Specialist, ACLS
B7 Making Assessment Meaningful
Wednesday, April 29th 1:15pm – 2:45pm – Westford C (capacity 50)
This session will focus on assessment strategies programs can use to increase student learning
gains and pre- and post- testing rates. Participants will learn that assessment and learning gains
are closely connected to program design, effective use of data, a solid curriculum, and staff
professional development. Participants will also learn about the value of creating a program
“culture” and the importance of student buy-in as two essential factors conducive to success. This
session is intended for new ABE and ESOL directors or any director whose goal is to increase
learning gains. There will be ample time for participants to ask questions and interact with the
panel.
Panelists:
Sara Bilman, ABE Director, Centro Latino
Joan Ford, Director, SABES Assessment Center
Dana Varzan-Parker, Assessment Specialist, ACLS
April Zenisky, Senior Research Fellow, Center for Educational Assessment,
UMass Amherst
Session C
C1 How Program Leaders can Support CCR Implementation
Thursday, April 30th 10:15am – 11:45am – Thoreau (capacity 30)
This session will engage program directors in thinking about their role in supporting the classroom
implementation of the College and Career readiness standards for adult education and key shifts.
Drawing from experience in other states and OCTAE’s Teacher Effectiveness project, the
presenter will invite participants to consider ways to support instructors in standards
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*A/B* Workshops will be held on Wednesday, April 29th
*C/D* Workshops will be held on Thursday, April 30th
implementation, such as involving them in peer mentoring, curriculum and materials review, the
development of observation protocols, and self-assessment.
Presenter:
Andy Nash, Director, New England Literacy Resource Center/World Education
C2 Adult Career Pathways: Roads to Next Steps
Thursday, April 30th 10:15am – 11:45am – Salem (capacity 35)
This session will feature a panel of Adult Career Pathways program directors who will discuss how
they support and strengthen student preparation for employment opportunities and/or
occupationally specific education and training programs. Participants will hear about how the
directors designed their programs to address regional priorities, collaborate with higher education
and workforce partners, and assist students with next steps.
Presenters: Russell Bradbury-Carlin, Executive Director, Center for New Americans
Katie Ehresman, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Boston Public Schools
Department of Adult Education
Gina Frey, Director of Adult Basic Education, North Shore Community Action
Programs, Inc.
C3 De-Mystifying the Development of an ELA Scope and Sequence
Thursday, April 30th 10:15am – 11:45am – Concord (capacity 60)
This session will share ACLS’s message regarding the purpose and components of an English
Language Arts scope and sequence and the steps in developing one for ABE programs. Key
resources such as sample templates and sample scope and sequences from different ABE
programs will be provided. There will also be time for discussion and questions.
Presenter:
Jane Schwerdtfeger, Curriculum Specialist, ACLS
C4 Tools for a Digital Strategy
Thursday, April 30th 10:15am – 11:45am – Westford A (capacity 50)
In this session various technology tools will be demonstrated for use with students in classes and
beyond. In addition, tools that can be used for program management will be spotlighted to show
how programs can create teacher resources online.
Presenter:
Eunice Snay, Distance Learning and Technology Support Manager, SABES
C5 Massachusetts’s Approach in the Implementation of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (WIOA)
Thursday, April 30th 10:15am – 11:45am – Westford B (capacity 50)
The Massachusetts Workforce Investment Board within the Executive Office of Labor and
Workforce Development is convening stakeholder workgroups to inform the development of WIOA
implementation. This session will provide information on the work of the WIOA Steering Committee
and WIOA workgroups charged with drafting a combined state plan. Participants will have an
opportunity to discuss ABE services in the context of WIOA.
Presenters: Jolanta Conway, MA ABE State Director
Cheryl Scott, Director, Massachusetts Workforce Investment Board
Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development
*A/B* Workshops will be held on Wednesday, April 29th
7
*C/D* Workshops will be held on Thursday, April 30th
C6 Making Assessment Meaningful
Thursday, April 30th 10:15am – 11:45am – Westford C (capacity 50)
This session will focus on assessment strategies programs can use to increase student learning
gains and pre- and post- testing rates. Participants will learn that assessment and learning gains
are closely connected to program design, effective use of data, a solid curriculum, and staff
professional development. Participants will also learn about the value of creating a program
“culture” and the importance of student buy-in as two essential factors conducive to success. This
session is intended for new ABE and ESOL directors or any director whose goal is to increase
learning gains. There will be ample time for participants to ask questions and interact with the
panel.
Panelists:
Dana Varzan-Parker, Assessment Specialist, ACLS
April Zenisky, Senior Research Fellow, Center for Educational Assessment,
UMass Amherst
Joan Ford, Director, SABES Assessment Center
Sara Bilman, ABE Director, Centro Latino
Session D
D1 Navigating the ESE Fiscal System for ABE Program Directors
Thursday, April 30th 1:00pm – 2:30pm – Emerson (capacity 30)
This session will provide an opportunity to learn how to manage ESE/ABE awards and financial
activities properly. The presenter will guide participants through standard procedures the ESE has
developed to help grant recipients comply with administrative procedures and requirements for the
use of public funds and accepted accounting practices. These include the difference between
direct, indirect, and administrative costs, budget applications and amendments, the process for
requesting funds, final financial reports, audits, and other fiscal related topics. There will be ample
opportunity for participants to ask questions.
Presenter:
Dave LeBlanc, Director of Audits and Compliance, Department of Elementary and
Secondary Education
D2 Transition to Community College: A Viable Next Step for Adult Education Students
Thursday, April 30th 1:00pm – 2:30pm – Thoreau (capacity 30)
Credit-bearing courses, intensive advising, use of all college resources and materials, and more!
In this session, program coordinators will talk about the many ways adult education students
benefit from enrolling in Transition to Community College programs.
Panelists:
Marissa Gaskin, Transition Coordinator, Roxbury Community College
Heather Harrison, Transition Coordinator, Bristol Community College
Lynn Ricketts, Transition Coordinator, Northern Essex Community College
Marie Troppe, Director of Adult Basic Education/Transition to Community College,
Holyoke Community College
Presenters: Derek Kalchbrenner, College and Career Readiness Specialist, ACLS
Cheryl Ransom, Transition Education Specialist, ACLS
*A/B* Workshops will be held on Wednesday, April 29th
*C/D* Workshops will be held on Thursday, April 30th
8
D3 Collaborations for Success: Innovative Models for “Next Steps”
Thursday, April 30th 1:00pm – 2:30pm – Salem (capacity 35)
Participants will hear a group of program directors present the different models they developed to
support their students’ next steps and the collaborative process they engaged in to provide their
students with a variety of next steps options. Participants will also learn about developing a
curriculum, collaborating with higher education and workforce partners, and implementing a “next
steps” culture.
Presenters: Aliza Ansell, Program Coordinator and Science Instructor, Holyoke Community
College
Larry Bay, Program Director, Holyoke Works
Richard Goldberg, Director of Education, Asian American Civic Association,
Boston
Marie Narvaez, Program Specialist, ACLS
D4 Beyond Scope and Sequence: A Math Curriculum Aligned to the CCRSAE
Thursday, April 30th 1:00pm – 2:30pm – Concord (capacity 60)
This session will review the important elements of a math curriculum, including a focus on what
effective math instruction should look like. Participants will be introduced to ways of overcoming
some of the challenges of developing a math curriculum aligned to the CCR Standards and
designed to promote deep and genuine student understanding and achievement. Materials and
lessons from this session will be most valuable in assisting participants to successfully fulfill
ACLS’s modified requirements on curriculum development.
Presenters:
Donna Curry, SABES Math/Numeracy PD Center Director, TERC
Tom Mechem, State Chief Examiner for High School Equivalency, ACLS
D5 Developing a Scope and Sequence for an ESOL Curriculum
Thursday, April 30th 1:00pm – 2:30pm – Westford A (capacity 50)
This session will review the essential elements of an ESOL scope and sequence and the process
for developing one. Presenters will walk participants through a checklist for program selfassessment and a scope and sequence template for one class level. ESOL professional
development providers will share promising practices from the field.
Presenters:
Janice Batista, ESOL Curriculum Development Consultants, Framingham Public
Schools
Ashley Hannah, ESOL Curriculum Development Consultants, College Bound
Dorchester
Dori McCormack, Director, SABES PD Center for
Jane Schwerdtfeger, ACLS Curriculum Specialist
ESOL
D6 Massachusetts’s Approach in the Implementation of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (WIOA)
Thursday, April 30th 1:00pm – 2:30pm – Westford B (capacity 50)
The Massachusetts Workforce Investment Board within the Executive Office of Labor and
Workforce Development is convening stakeholder workgroups to inform the development of WIOA
implementation. This session will provide information on the work of the WIOA Steering Committee
*A/B* Workshops will be held on Wednesday, April 29th
*C/D* Workshops will be held on Thursday, April 30th
9
and WIOA workgroups charged with drafting a combined state plan. Participants will have an
opportunity to discuss ABE services in the context of WIOA.
Presenters: Cheryl Scott,
Jolanta Conway, MA ABE State Director
D7 How ABE Programs can work with One Stop Career Centers to Provide Career Services
for Students Today and Tomorrow
Thursday, April 30th 1:00pm – 2:30pm – Westford C (capacity 50)
This presentation will provide participants with an overview of what One Stop Career Centers do
from the perspective of Executive Director of The Career Place in Metro North. There will be an
opportunity to hear from the Director of the Department of Career Services about what can be
expected with WIOA with regard to working with One Stop Career Centers in the future.
Presenters:
Christopher Brennan, Executive Director, The Career Place
Alice Sweeney, Director, Massachusetts Department of Career Services
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