2019 Annual Conference

Adult Basic Education and Literacy Education

Concurrent Session (45 minutes)

There are insufficient opportunities in professional development for instructors in the adult basic education (ABE) teaching field. Therefore, this phenomenological research study was undertaken to ascertain the issues limiting opportunities for instructor development. The results provided insights into the issues and challenges instructors face as ABE professionals.

This session is intended for adult basic education (ABE) teachers and practitioners alike. ABE teachers provide instruction to non-traditional post-secondary adult learners in the following academic areas: basic reading, writing, math, GED and ESL.

Participants will acquire knowledge on the latest thoughts, research, and trends, concerning professional development in the (ABE) field. With this information, participants will be able to assist their colleagues and administrative stakeholders on establishing and or reforming effective and sustainable professional development programs in their respective institutions. Participants will be able to move pass theoretical principles of professional development, transferring theory into practice in order to ensure effectiveness and relevance in their future engagement with teacher professional development.

Systemic issues in adult basic education (ABE) teacher professional development continue to hinder this population of teachers’ individual and collective professional growth in the ABE field. As a result, ABE teachers are limited in their ability to assist non-traditional adult learners reach their highest potential. Recent research on professional development issues in the ABE field indicates that ABE teachers lag behind their K-12 counterparts in obtaining consistent professional development opportunities. This session will function as a catalyst in informing adult education teacher stakeholders and practitioners alike on how consistent professional development opportunities are critical to the ABE teacher population, considering this population of teachers’ performance overtime and impact on student outcomes. Because adults are returning to school in order to obtain skills for the workforce, it is imperative that adult education stakeholders address the issues of teacher professional development present in the ABE field. Participants will leave this session with a deeper insight on the need for consistent professional development and individual and collective strategies for establishing professional development opportunities supported by both theoretical and practical principles.

Dr. Joel Floyd and Dr. Steven Roth will co-present this session. The session will provide a PowerPoint presentation and handouts to the participants in the audience.