Are you interested in enhancing your practice? OSSE offers the following opportunities to adult educators, facilitators and practitioners who want to improve their practice as adult educators:

• Graduate Certificate Program in Adult Education
• Professional Development

Professional Development

In collaboration with the University of the District of Columbia and other partners, AFE offers professional development workshops on a variety of topics to providers and partners that serve District residents, including the Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System (CASAS) Implementation Training.

• IXL Learning - Webinar recordings, Handouts and Resources
• Northstar Digital Literacy Check-in Meetings for DC Providers and Partners – Webinar Recordings, Handouts and Resources
• TOPSpro Enterprise and CASAS Check-in Sessions for DC Providers and Partners

If you would like to be added to the OSSE Adult and Family Education professional development announcement list, email [email protected]. Please include the following in the body of the email: your contact information (name, email, and phone number) and your agency/organization information (name, address, and website).

Winter 2024 | Aligning Academic, Digital Literacy and Industry-focused Standards into Assessment and Instruction

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education, Adult and Family Education (OSSE AFE), in partnership with the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), is hosting a mini-professional development (PD) institute for adult education providers, training providers, workforce development providers, partner agencies and other stakeholders from Monday, Jan. 29 to Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024. There are two, 1-hour sessions scheduled on each day, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. All sessions will be hosted online and recorded.

This mini-PD institute will provide a foundation of academic, digital literacy, and industry-focused standards, combined with evidence-based strategies and tools, that educators, trainers, and workforce providers can utilize to help District residents enhance their literacy, numeracy, digital, and workforce skills to obtain, advance and/or transition to fulfilling careers in high-demand industries with family-sustaining wages.

See the schedule of events for descriptions of these sessions:

1. Monday, Jan. 29, 10–11 a.m. | CASAS – New Series Aligned to College and Career Readiness Standards: Focus on Assessment (Part 1 of 2) | Webinar Recording | Handout(s)
2. Monday, Jan. 29, 2-3 p.m. | CASAS – New Series Aligned to College and Career Readiness Standards: Focus on Instruction (Part 2 of 2) | Webinar Recording | Handout(s)
3. Tuesday, Jan. 30, 10–11 a.m. | Digital Skills Integration: Defining Needs Using Frameworks | Webinar Recording | Handout(s)
4. Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2-3:30 p.m. | Digital Skills Integration: Building Knowledge Using Effective Strategies | Webinar Recording | Handout(s)
5. Wednesday, Jan. 31, 10-11 a.m. | Using O*NET Standards to Contextualize Lesson Plans (Part 1 of 2) | Webinar Recording | Handout(s)
6. Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2-3 p.m. | Using O*NET Standards to Contextualize Lesson Plans (Part 2 of 2) | Webinar Recording | Handout(s)

Spring 2023 | Tools of the Trade: Expanding Your Toolkit with Standards-Aligned Assessment and Instructional Tools

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education, Adult and Family Education (OSSE AFE), in partnership with the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), is hosting a Mini-Professional Development Institute for adult education providers, training providers, workforce development providers, partner agencies and other stakeholders from Monday, May 22 to Wednesday, May 24, 2023. There are two, 1-hour sessions scheduled on each day, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Please note that session 4, Individualize Skill Building with IXL Learning, is scheduled for 90 minutes. All sessions will be hosted online.

This mini-professional development (PD) institute will provide a foundation of evidence-based strategies and tools that educators, trainers, and workforce providers can utilize to help District residents achieve their academic, professional, and personal goals as they progress on their learning and/or career paths. Participants will gain strategies that can be put into practice to support District residents as they work to strengthen their literacy, numeracy, and digital skills to obtain, advance and/or transition to fulfilling careers in high-demand industries with family-sustaining wages.

Sessions include:

1. Exploring the O*NET Standards – Monday, May 22, 2023. Webinar Recording | Handout(s)
2. Taking a Deeper Dive into the O*NET Standards – Monday, May 22, 2023. Webinar Recording | Handout(s)
3. Increasing Equity with Northstar Digital Literacy – Tuesday, May 23, 2023. Webinar Recording | Handout(s)
4. Individualize Skill Building with IXL Learning – Tuesday, May 23, 2023. Webinar Recording | Handout(s)
5. Develop Instructional Routines That Build Students’ Digital Literacy Resilience and Skills with the EdTech Integration Strategy Toolkit – Wednesday, May 24, 2023. Webinar Recording | Handout(s) 
6. Customize Learning with Essential Education’s Tools for Adult Basic Education, GED, and Workforce Preparation – Wednesday, May 24, 2023. Webinar Recording | Handout (coming soon)

Session descriptions, presenters and additional details can be found here.

Winter 2023 | Charting Your Financial Journey: How Financial Literacy Can Help You and Your Family Achieve Your Financial Goals

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education, Adult and Family Education (OSSE AFE), in partnership with the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) and in collaboration with JPMorgan Chase & Co., hosted a Mini-Professional Development Institute for adult learners as well as adult education providers, training providers, workforce development providers, partner agencies and other stakeholders from Monday, February 27 to Wednesday, March 1, 2023.

This mini-professional development (PD) institute will provide a foundation of strategies and tools that educators, trainers, and workforce providers can utilize to help District residents achieve their financial literacy goals as they progress on their learning and career paths to achieve their academic, professional, and personal goals. Participants will gain strategies that can be put into practice to strengthen their financial literacy knowledge and habits so that District residents can buy a home, start a business, and/or save for future goals as they advance and/or transition to fulfilling careers in high-demand industries with family-sustaining wages. Session 6-Bank on DC was recorded.

Topics include:

To request copies of the handouts from Session 1 – 5, please click here.

1. Your Financial Journey – Facilitated by M. González, JPMorgan Chase & Co. 
2. Establishing Good Credit – Facilitated by M. González, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
3. Cyber Safety for Good – Bringing Cybersecurity Home – Facilitated by Jim Maples and Ita Lamont, JPMorgan Chase & Co. 
4. Become a First Time Homebuyer – Facilitated by Justin Cotton, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
5. Start a Small Business/Bring Out Your Inner Entrepreneur -- Facilitated by Darla Harris, JPMorgan Chase & Co. 
6. Bank on DC – Facilitated by Jazman Hicks, DC Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) | Webinar Recording & Presentation

Select handouts from the sessions and the recording of the Bank on DC webinar will be posted on the OSSE website approximately one week after the conclusion of the Mini-Professional Development Institute. Past Mini-Professional Development Institute recordings and handouts are posted here.

Registration is not required. To participate, click on the link provided for each session. For additional information, contact [email protected].

Summer 2022: Help Students Succeed and Get the Outcomes You Need: Managing the Learning Environment for Student Persistence in Education, Training and Workforce Programs

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education, Adult and Family Education (OSSE AFE), in collaboration with the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), will host a Mini-Professional Development Institute for adult education providers, training providers, workforce development providers, partner agencies and other stakeholders from Monday, June 6 to Wednesday, June 8, 2022. There are two, 1-hour sessions scheduled on each day. All sessions will be hosted online.

This mini-professional development (PD) institute will provide a foundation of evidence-based strategies and tools that educators, trainers, and workforce providers can utilize to help District residents persist on their learning and career paths so that they can achieve their academic, professional and personal goals. Participants will gain strategies that can be put into practice to strengthen instruction and related support services to help District residents persist in their adult education, workforce training, integrated education and training programs so that they may transition to fulfilling careers in high-demand industries with family sustaining wages. See the Summer 2022 Mini-Professional Development Institute Schedule of Events.

Spring 2022 Mini-Professional Development Institute: Building Blocks for Education, Training and Workforce Providers - Strengthening the College and Career Readiness Aspects of Your Program

OSSE Adult and Family Education (OSSE AFE), in collaboration with the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), will host a Mini-Professional Development Institute for adult education providers, training providers, workforce development providers, partner agencies and other stakeholders from Mon., May 2, 2022 to Wed., May 4, 2022. There are two, one-hour sessions scheduled on each day. All sessions will be hosted online and facilitated by presenters from World Education and/or the National College Transition Network.

Participants will explore ways to help youth and adults in the District of Columbia become college and career ready. Participants will also explore strategies to strengthen the college and career readiness aspects of their programs so that adult learners can easily transition to postsecondary education, postsecondary training and ultimately fulfilling careers in high demand industries with family sustaining wages. See the Spring 2022 Mini-Professional Development Institute Schedule of Events.

Session 1A. Exploring Personal and Workplace Success Skills and Resources (Part 1 of 2)

Explore the Personal and Workplace Success Skills Library, a curated collection of high-quality resources that adult education and workforce development practitioners can use to teach and assess skills such as critical and creative thinking, teamwork and collaboration, and communication. Webinar Recording | Handout(s)

Session 1B. Exploring Personal and Workplace Success Skills and Resources (Part 2 of 2)

Building upon Part 1, participants in this session will take a deeper dive into the Personal and Workplace Success Skills Library to find resources that can be used to integrate transferable skills into high school equivalency, ESOL, and/or integrated education and training instruction and/or coaching. Those who attend Part 1 will benefit most from this session. Webinar Recording | Handout(s)

Session 2A. Designing Pathways to Opportunity: Comprehensive Student Supports (Part 1 of 2)

This session introduces the essential role that a career navigator (aka “navigator” or “coach”) plays in connecting students to supports and resources in an adult education or training program and in the community to help them persist and progress in their educational and career goals. Participants will discuss the core functions, knowledge, skills and personal characteristics of effective navigators and factors to consider when constructing a navigator or coach job description. Webinar Recording | Handout(s)

Session 2B. Designing Pathways to Opportunity: Comprehensive Student Supports (Part 2 of 2)

Building upon Part 1, participants will discuss factors to consider in designing an effective navigator program, such as program priorities, student goals, caseloads and availability of resources and strategies such as group activities and collaboration. This session is geared toward administrators who want to learn more about designing a navigator or coach program, as well as those serving in roles similar to a navigator or coach. Those who attend Part 1 will benefit most from this session. Webinar Recording | Handout(s)

Session 3A. Integrating Career Awareness into Program Design and Service Delivery (Part 1 of 2)

Career planning is an essential life skill for all of us as we confront a rapidly and constantly changing labor market and economy. Career exploration is a process of self-assessment, occupational research, and planning to achieve a better fit between a person’s individual skills, interests and talents and the training and employment they choose to pursue. The better the fit, the greater the chance of success. Participants in this session will explore the stages of career exploration, and the planning process and tools that instructors and coaches can implement with students to help them research, plan and make progress towards their education and career goals. Webinar Recording | Handout(s)

Session 3B. Integrating Career Awareness into Program Design and Service Delivery (Part 2 of 2)

Building upon Part 1, this session is designed to add to the toolbox of resources that instructors and coaches can use to guide students through the process of career self-assessment, occupational exploration and goal setting. Participants will also discuss how these activities can be integrated into adult education or training curriculum and program design. Those who attend Part 1 will benefit most from this session. Webinar Recording | Handout(s)

Fall 2021 Mini-Professional Development Institute: Accessible Online Tools for Contextualizing Learning for Older Youth & Adults

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education, Adult and Family Education (OSSE AFE), in collaboration with the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), hosted a Mini-Professional Development Institute for adult education providers, training providers, partner agencies and other stakeholders from Monday, Sept. 27 through Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021, on Accessible Online Tools for Contextualizing Learning for Older Youth & Adults.

What online resources and strategies can be used to enliven learning for adult learners who are pursuing different career paths? How can adult educators and vocational instructors contextualize their online academic instructional programs and occupational skills training to help District residents achieve their workforce goals? During this four-day mini-professional development institute, participants explore answers to these questions for various industries. Each webinar introduces and highlights free online resources and a template that can be used to develop contextualized lesson plans that integrate adult literacy, workforce preparation and workforce training aligned to one of seven of the District’s high-demand industries and specific industry certifications.

Accessible Online Tools for Contextualizing Learning by Industry Focus:

• Session 1: IT/Business Administration, inclusive of Finance (Banking) Webinar Recording | Handouts
• Session 2: Hospitality Webinar Recording | Handouts
• Session 3: Healthcare Webinar Recording | Handouts
• Session 4: Construction Webinar Recording | Handouts
• Session 5: Infrastructure (Energy & Utilities, Energy Efficient Technology, Transportation & Logistics) Webinar Recording | Handouts
• Session 6: Law and Security Webinar Recording | Handouts
• Session 7: Early Childhood Education Webinar Recording | Handouts

DC Moving Far Beyond the Post-test: Implementing New Measurable Skill Gains (MSG) Options (Sept. 15, 2021)

OSSE AFE recorded a webinar for OSSE AFE Integrated Education and Training providers to enhance reporting of the three additional Measurable Skill Gains (MSG) Types at the state and local program levels for National Reporting System (NRS) reporting purposes.

Presenters: Judy Mortrude, Senior Technical Advisor, World Education and Anson Green, Senior Manager, Economic Opportunity, Tyson Foods

• DC Moving Far Beyond the Post-test: Implementing New Measurable Skill Gains (MSG) Options Webinar Recording
• DC Moving Far Beyond the Post-test: Implementing New Measurable Skill Gains (MSG) Options Powerpoint

Spring 2021 Mini-Professional Development Institute:  Meeting the Postsecondary Education, Training and Workforce Needs of District Residents at a Distance:  Resources, Strategies and Partnerships

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education, Adult and Family Education (OSSE AFE), in collaboration with the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), is hosting a Mini-Professional Development Institute for adult education providers, training providers, partner agencies and other stakeholders from Monday, April 26, 2021, to Wednesday, April 28, 2021. There are two, one-hour sessions scheduled on each day. All sessions will be hosted online and recorded.  

As a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency, we are all charged with finding new ways to meet the postsecondary education, training and workforce needs of District residents so they can achieve their college and career goals.  This mini-professional development institute offers information about resources, winning strategies and partnerships that can be used to meet the diverse needs of District residents at a distance and/or in place-based settings using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), social distancing and other health and safety protocols. 

• Session 1:  The Future is Now!  Preparing Today’s Workforce for Tomorrow (April 26, 2021) 
• Session 2:  Pathways to College and Careers for Older Youth and Adults (April 26, 2021)
• Session 3:  Flexibility is Key to Adults Earning Postsecondary Credentials and Degrees (April 27, 2021)
  • Trinity Washington University
  • Catholic University Metropolitan School of Professional Studies
• Session 4:  Creating Pathways to Employment for District Residents (April 27, 2021)
  • DCHR Career Pathways
  • Vocational Rehabilitation Services Overview 
• Session 5:  Preparing District Residents for Postsecondary Success! (April 28, 2021)
• Session 6:  Connecting District Residents, Job Seekers and Employers! (April 28, 2021)

Winter 2020 Mini-Professional Development Institute: Meeting the Physiological, Socio-Emotional and Socio-Economic Needs of District Residents at a Distance: Resources, Strategies and Partnerships

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education, Adult and Family Education (OSSE AFE), in collaboration with the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), hosted a Mini-Professional Development Institute for adult education providers, training providers, partner agencies and other stakeholders was held Dec. 14-16, 2020. This Mini Professional Development Institute was entitled Meeting the Physiological, Socio-Emotional and Socio-Economic Needs of District Residents at a Distance: Resources, Strategies and Partnerships and was comprised of six one-hour professional development sessions facilitated by experts in their fields to provide information about proven online resources, winning strategies, and partnerships that can be used to meet the needs of District residents at distance.

• Session 1: First Aid for the Soul: Strategies for Helping District Residents to be Resilient in the Midst of the Pandemic (Dec. 14, 2020)
• Session 2: Supportive and Wrap around Services for Adults, Youth and Families in the District (Dec. 14, 2020)
• Session 3: Supportive and Wrap-around Services for Immigrant Families in the District (Dec. 15, 2020)
• Session 4: DC Public Library - Meeting the Diverse Needs of the Community (Dec. 15, 2020)
• Session 5: Youth Services Panel – Linking District Youth to the Programs, Services and Resources (Dec. 16, 2020)
• Session 6: The OSSE DC ReEngagement Center Helps Youth Get Back on Track! (Dec. 16, 2020)

Summer 2020 Mini-Professional Development Institute: Meeting the Education and Workforce Needs of District Residents at a Distance: Resources, Strategies and Partnerships

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education Adult and Family Education (OSSE AFE), in collaboration with the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), hosted a Mini-Professional Development Institute for adult education providers, training providers, partner agencies and other stakeholders was held Aug. 10-12, 2020. This Mini-Professional Development Institute: Meeting the Education and Workforce Needs of District Residents at a Distance: Resources, Strategies and Partnerships was comprised of six one-hour professional development sessions facilitated by experts in their fields to provide information about proven online resources, winning strategies, and partnerships that can be used to meet the needs of District residents at distance.

• Session 1: Adaptive Learning with Essential Education: From Adult Basic Education to GED to Workforce Preparation (Aug. 10, 2020)
• Session 2: Virtual Job Shadow: Exploring Career Options Using High Quality Videos (Aug. 10, 2020)
• Session 3: DHS TANF Employment & Education Program (TEP): Incentivizing 2 Gen Activities Online for Families in the District of Columbia (Aug. 11, 2020)
• Session 4: DC One-Stop Operator: Meeting the Needs of Employers and Job Seekers through American Job Centers (Aug. 11, 2020)
• Session 5: World Education: Essential Distance Learning Resources (Aug. 12, 2020)
• Session 6: Career Coach DC! Tools for Workforce Preparation and Career Planning (Aug. 12, 2020)

Spring 2020: Essential Distance Education Series

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education, Adult and Family Education (OSSE AFE), in collaboration with the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), provided professional development on distance education to assist DC providers and partners in pivoting to online services. These sessions were facilitated by Dr. Jen Vanek, a national expert in adult education and distance learning; Dr. Vanek manages the EdTech Center and the IDEAL consortium at World Education, Inc.

• Ready, Set, Go! | Webinar Recording | Handouts
• Supporting Learners from the Start | Webinar Recording | Handouts

Graduate Certificate Program in Adult Education

The University of the District of Columbia (UDC), in collaboration with OSSE Adult and Family Education, offers a Graduate Certificate in Adult Education Program to prepare adult educators to meet OSSE licensure requirements and the UDC certification requirements.

OSSE AFE offers a scholarship for adult educators, funding permitting. The eligibility criteria for the scholarship is based on education, employment, and residency and can be found in the OSSE Adult Educator Scholarship Program Information.

UDC also offers a Master of Arts Degree in Adult Education that is aligned with the Graduate Certificate in Adult Education Program. To learn more about these two programs, contact Dr. Heather Bruce at [email protected].

Contact Information

For general information about the scholarship and/or the approved courses, please email the OSSE AFE team at [email protected] or Dr. Heather Bruce, UDC Adult Education Program at [email protected] and include “OSSE Adult Educator Professionalization Scholarship” in the subject line.