Northwest Fall 2008 Regional
Thurs., October 23 (evening) & Fri., October 24, 2008
Probstfield Center for Education
(Moorhead, MN District Education Center)
2410 - 14th St. S., Moorhead, MN  56560

This ABE training opportunity is being offered in conjunction with the MN Department of Education and the ATLAS program at Hamline University.  CEUs indicating attendance will be provided.

Thursday, October 23
(These sessions are designed to address teacher licensure requirements.)

4:30- 5:00 PM    Check-in and Registration

5:00-6:00          Supper & Announcements

6:00-7:30          Breakout Session 1 – Choose one:

1a) Reading Comprehension – Rob Podlasek, Senior Training Manager, MLC  (addresses the requirements for further reading instruction):

Learn a variety of strategies for helping students improve their reading comprehension skills.  Emphasis is on developing good reading-for-comprehension and study skills.

1b) What is a Learning Disability and How Does an Assessment Work? – Wendy A. Sweeny, Assessment Services Coordinator, LDA  (addresses the requirements for positive behavior intervention strategies):

Do you wonder what differentiates general learning difficulties from a specific learning disability?  Do you have ABE students who are not making progress or level change possible due to a learning disability?  Do your GED students need documentation of “learning or other cognitive disability” in order to request GED testing accommodations?  Wendy Sweeney from LDA Minnesota will answer these questions by sharing relevant definitions and criteria used to determine the presence of learning disabilities, the LDA assessment process offered to ABE students at no cost, the time frame from referral to reporting, and the positive outcomes for both teachers and students.

7:30-9:00          Breakout Session 2 – Choose one:

2a) Stress Busters – Marjorie Baumgartner-Hill, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, a National Certified Counselor and a Certified School Counselor  (Addresses the requirements for key warning signs of early onset mental illness):

Stress itself isn't always a problem, it's a natural part of life.  Even happy events can be stressful.  How we deal with stress is most often the problem.  This workshop with discuss ways to deal with stress and offer strategies for healthy stress management.  Participants will experience simple ways to use stress in a positive way and prevent it from becoming distress.

2b) Using Video in the Classroom – Rob Podlasek, Senior Training Manager, MLC  (Addresses the requirements for adapting the curriculum to meet the needs of adult learners):

Video can be an engaging, useful tool in your classroom.  Enhance any type of lesson you may be planning - whether it’s teaching grammar, vocabulary, listening, discussion or comprehension, video is incredibly versatile, a helpful medium that’s also a welcome change of pace for your learners.

9:00                 Dessert and Networking

8:30-9:00 AM    Registration, Coffee and Rolls

9:00-9:15          Welcome and Introductions / Opening Announcements

9:15-10:30        General Session 1:

Updates on the GED and GED-i online – Jim Colwell, GED Administrator, MN Dept. of Education and Sarah Larson, ABE Coordinator, Cass Lake Adult Basic Education

10:30-10:45       Break

10:45-12 PM      General Session 2: 

Teaching Reading to Adult ESL Students – Linda Houts-Smith, Assistant Professor and Coordinator of the ESL program - MSUM and Teresa Shume faculty member in the School of Teaching and Learning - MSUM

Linda and Teresa will share their strategies for teaching reading to adult ESL students.  They also will briefly share some information about the ESL program at Minnesota State University Moorhead.

12:00-1:00        Lunch

1:00-3:15          General Session 3: 

Panel Discussion: Successfully Transitioning ABE Students into College and the Workforce – Facilitated by Stephen Larson, Regional Administrator, MN-DEED

This session will address three topics:

• Partnerships developed between MNSCU and ABE which are of mutual benefit.
• Nathan Dorr, DEED’s Regional Labor Market Analyst will provide an update on Occupations in Demand in Economic Development Regions 1, 2, 4 and 5.
• Attendees will be asked to identify and discuss those opportunities and barriers learners encounter as they attempt to enhance their employability.
  

3:15-3:30         Closing and CEUs

Friday, October 24
(These concurrent assessment training sessions are being offered for those new to ABE.)

Concurrent with General Session 2:

10:45-12:15 PM – TABE Implementation Training – Marty Olsen, Assessment Trainer, MN ABE

This is a basic, introductory training, designed to introduce participants to the administration of TABE assessments, and walk them through the process, from Locator test to post-test.  Participants will:

• Become familiar with the TABE assessment
• Learn to use the Locator test
• Determine the appropriate level pre-test
• Understand the assessment scoring process
• Complete and use the Diagnostic Profile
• Discuss conveying results to the students
• Learn about TABE resources
• Become familiar with additional testing tips

Concurrent with General Session 3:

1:00-3:30 – CASAS Implementation Training – Marty Olsen, Assessment Trainer, MN ABE (participants will also receive their CEUs during this session)

This is a basic, introductory training, designed to walk participants through the CASAS assessment process, from appraisal to post-test.  Participants will learn to:

• Relate curriculum, instruction and assessment
• Use CASAS competencies and content standards
• Identify and select appropriate assessments
• Follow standardized test procedures
• Administer tests and interpret scores
• Link Scale Scores to Skill Level Descriptors
• Plan instruction using test results
• Use TopsPro reports
• Use CASAS Quick Search

Hotel Accommodations

At the Americinn Lodge and Suites of Moorhead (1.1 miles from conference location, at 600 - 30th Ave S), a block of 30 rooms has been set aside through Thursday, October 16 under MN Adult Education Program.  Room rates based on double occupancy are $70 + tax.  Call 877-287-7100 for reservations.

NOTE: Registrations must be received by Thu. Oct. 16, 2008.

Registration Form: Word / PDF        Register Online    

Print Session Guide 

Print Map and Hotel Information