The California Adult Literacy Professional Development Project (CALPRO) is excited to announce their professional learning series for adult educators in February and March 2025. These programs are designed to enhance instructional skills and support student success.

See the flyer for detailed information and registration links.

​Before adult schools can enroll candidates in credentialing services, they need to have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in place with the adult school district. 

• Administrators who want to have their district participate in the program can fill out the MOU interest form here: MOU Interest Form for Districts​
• Teachers who are interested in obtaining their credential can indicate their interest in the program here: Teacher Interest Form

Many adult students must overcome significant barriers to achieve their life goals. These students face difficult circumstances and responsibilities in their pursuit of adult learning experiences. This award recognizes those who have faced adversity and persevered to achieve their goals and improve their quality of life.

Shamah is from a small village in Yemen called Houf, where educational opportunities—especially for women—are scarce. She has six sisters and four brothers. Her mother was a housewife, and her father passed away in a car accident when she was 10 years old. She grew up working on the family farm. In 2015, while waiting for her green card, war broke out in Yemen. For her safety, she had to flee, making three 18-hour boat trips to Djibouti.

Finally, in October 2016, she received her green card and arrived in the United States. In August 2017, she enrolled at Clovis Adult Education to learn English. She stopped attending school for about six months in 2019, devastated by the loss of her mother. However, she returned with more determination than ever to learn English and earn her high school diploma. In 2021, she obtained her driver's license and U.S. citizenship—an enormous accomplishment for her, as women in her village were not allowed to drive. She transitioned to ABE and earned her high school diploma in April 2024.
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Shamah is currently enrolled at Clovis Community College and plans to study computer science. She believes determination and hard work are the keys to success.

The Outreach and Technical Assistance Network (OTAN) is honored to announce that we have received the 2025 State Innovation of the Year Award from the Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE). This award celebrates OTAN's dedication to advancing adult education in California through innovative technology integration and leadership development. The award is sponsored by Dollar General Literacy Foundation and will be presented at the 2025 COABE National Conference in Dallas, Texas.

​This award recognizes OTAN's nearly four decades of commitment to supporting adult education agencies and educators through professional development, resources, and educational technology training. OTAN provides:

• Online and in-person edtech training for adult educators
• Resources for online, in-person, and blended learning
• Digital collaboration and educational resources
• Academies, symposia, and advisory groups to help adult education providers shape the future of digital education

The Digital Leadership Academy (DLAC) is at the heart of OTAN’s innovation, evolving from the previous Technology Integration Mentoring Academy (TIMAC) and the Online Teaching Academy (OTAC). DLAC is a two-year, comprehensive professional development program designed to create leaders in technology and enhance educators' skills in technology integration, digital learning, and blended teaching. The program aligns with each agency's Continuous Improvement Plan goals and strategic plans. The Continuous Improvement Plan is a strategic goal setting deliverable to guide California adult education provider organizations in enhancing their performance and achieving goals through a process of planning, implementation, evaluation, and adjustment. DLAC includes:

• In-Person professional development
• Online project meetings
• Customized online coursework offered in partnership with the EdTech Center at World Education
• A shared space that allows for collaboration, networking, and the sharing of ideas, problems, and solutions
• A designated edtech coach for each site
• Site visits from coaches and OTAN staff
• Ongoing teamwork on project goals

OTAN is funded by the California Department of Education-Adult Education Office. Hosted/managed by the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE). OTAN’s mission is to support teachers, support staff, and administrative staff as they work with adult learners throughout California. DLAC addresses the challenge of preparing adult education agencies to implement, enhance, and maintain digital, distance, hybrid, hyflex, and blended learning solutions for adult learners. DLAC helps teams that take part to develop customized projects and goals to integrate technology and digital learning while fostering leadership, ensuring that agencies can implement digital solutions effectively and sustainably. DLAC has shown a significant impact, including:

• Increased enrollment and persistence in adult education programs
• Improved digital literacy skills for staff and students
• Expanded access to education in underserved areas
• Enhanced leadership and professional development opportunities
• Creation of sustainable frameworks for technology integration

 
DLAC’s success is evident in a number of ways. When new technology and practices are adopted, the outcomes that are measured highlight successful implementation. DLAC tends to impact multiple programs at an agency, not just those that participate in the academy. DLAC also connects adult education programs across the state that collaborate during and after the program. The program’s success depends on strong administrative commitment, team participation, and ongoing support from OTAN’s coaches, ensuring equitable access across California’s diverse adult education community. DLAC's innovations have been widely shared and referenced, with numerous programs adopting its approach.
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COABE’s State Innovation of the Year Award celebrates the hard work and dedication of the OTAN team and its impact on adult education in California. We are truly honored and extremely grateful to receive this recognition from our adult education colleagues.