In December 2016 the Carlos Rosario School hosted an event organized by leaders from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education. This first-ever Adult Schools Growth Forum brought together individuals and organizations interested in expanding access to high-quality schools for adults. The event, underwritten by the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, focused on expanding education opportunities for low-skilled adult learners, opportunity youth, and other disadvantaged older youth and adults. There are currently 36 million adults and 5.3 million disconnected or opportunity youth across the U.S. who stand to benefit from access to schools.

Attendees heard from a variety of panelists representing local charter schools, charter school oversight entities, Department of Education representatives and more on topics ranging from best practices in adult education today and investments and accountability. At the conclusion of the forum attendees discussed action plans and made commitments to further the cause of increasing adult education opportunities.

COABE Adult Education Strand Partnership

One related way the school continues to be involved in expanding adult education is by becoming an Adult Education Strand Partner at the Commission on Adult Basic Education (COABE) 2017 National Conference. As a Strand Partner, the school will help shape the content presented in the Adult Charter Schools track at the conference. Topics in this strand include contextualizing instruction, numeracy, digital literacy, Common Core math, and the connections between PIAAC, CASAS, and GED.  In addition, two panels, one on models of adult education charters and the other on charter legislation, will be included.

We look forward to continuing to engage in the national conversation about growing adult schools across the nation.