State Leadership Initiatives for Adult Education

Implementing evidence-based reading instruction for ABE students.

Required for:

  • Programs that do not currently have a STAR Trained cohort or
  • Programs who would like to expand STAR and
  • Administrators who were not part of their programs' STAR cohorts

Year 1 Cohort

Thank you to all who participated in STAR this program year. We hope to provide additional opportunities in the 2025-2026 program year.


Year 2+ Schedule

Thank you for attending this year's STAR Refresher series. We will provide additional opportunities in the 2025-2026 program year.

Visualize Classroom Data: Discover Key Tools to Inform Instruction

Part 1: June 4th from 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM.

Part 2: June 18th from 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM.

Register on the APLD here!

Clever Creations with Canva

Join us for an engaging, hands-on webinar designed specifically for instructors looking to bring creativity and digital literacy into their classrooms using Canva. In this one-hour session, you'll explore innovative ways to use Canva's free tools to support reading, writing, math, and digital skills development. Learn how to guide adult learners in creating personalized learning materials. You'll also discover strategies for collaborative projects that build confidence and foster community. Whether you're new to Canva or looking to expand your toolkit, this session will leave you inspired and ready to design with purpose.

Part 1: July 9th from 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM.

Part 2: July 23rd from 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM.

Register on the APLD here!

Learn more about Teaching the Skills that Matter (TSTM) National Initiative and Explore the Toolkit on the LINCS Page.


Thank you for attending this year's TSTM series. We will provide additional opportunities in the 2025-2026 program year.

The Curriculum for Adults Learning Math, or CALM, was developed by the Technical Education Research Center (TERC) development team to craft a coherent progression of units and lessons that integrates the Mathematical Standards domains and levels.

Thank you to all who participated in CALM this fall. We hope to provide additional opportunities in the 2025-2026 program year.

The Building an EdTech Strategy Toolkit Course (BEST) is designed to help instructors develop adaptable edtech routines tailored to their unique contexts. This course uses a blended model, including five synchronous virtual sessions, to guide participants through a carefully sequenced set of considerations as they work to complete the design of edtech routines for their classroom.


Thank you for attending this year's BEST series. We will provide additional opportunities in the 2025-2026 program year.

Thank you for attending this Administrator Webinar Series. We will provide additional opportunities in the 2025-2026 program year.

The LEAD Institute is a leadership training, facilitated by the American Institutes for Research (AIR), and the National Association of State Directors of Adult Education (NASDAE). The training series is led by nationally recognized experts in adult education programming, research, and administration. LEAD provides evidence-based leadership training to develop dynamic, proactive leaders for the 21st century adult education system. Designed for state cohorts of veteran, new, and aspiring adult education leaders, the LEAD Institute's training topics include:

  • Developing durable and transformational leadership skills that respond to current issues and challenges;
  • Aligning with the WIOA workforce system and advancing career pathway partnerships with workforce, industry, postsecondary and community partners;
  • Using data for strategic planning and continuous improvement;
  • Building student success practices in contemporary economic, educational, and social conditions; and
  • Leading and teaching effectively at a distance.

Through a blended, project-based learning model, participants will engage in synchronous and asynchronous content learning and develop a Leadership-in-Action Capstone Project. These projects will be focused on the statewide goal determined by the administrator cohort.

Important Dates:

  • Webinar 4: July 27, 2025 from 10:00 AM - 11:45 AM
  • In-Person Training Day: September 3, 2025 (AZ Adult Education Institute Pre-Conference)

Register on the ADE Professional Learning and Development System now