See below for upcoming SABES PD events for ELA. Or, check out the ELA Upcoming Events Calendar tab anytime!

Note: you are welcome to request ELA instructional coaching for program staff. If interested, please submit a Contact Us request.

All PD offerings are online and facilitated unless indicated otherwise.

Wednesday, February 25

Overview of EBRI - February (Self-Paced Modules)

This self-paced course is the first step on your evidence-based reading instruction (EBRI) journey, providing an introduction to and an overview of EBRI. (Note: STAR training also covers this information, so STAR-trained practitioners do not need to take this Overview of EBRI.) 

• Feb. 25, 2026   |  Modules open at 8 a.m.
• Mar. 27, 2026  |  Course closes at 11:59 p.m.

Culturally Responsive Teaching in ABE/ASE English Language Arts: Community of Practice (Online Blended)

The Culturally Responsive Teaching in English Language Arts Community of Practice (CoP) series will explore some of the core principles of culturally responsive teaching (CRT) along with effective strategies for incorporating them into adult ELA instruction. Through engaging discussions, practical activities, and collaborative learning, participants will build the knowledge and skills necessary to affirm students’ diverse identities and enhance their academic growth.

• Feb. 25, 2026   |  1 - 2:30 p.m.
• Mar. 11, 2026  |   1 - 2:30 p.m.
• Mar. 25, 2026  |   1 - 2:30 p.m.
• Apr. 8, 2026     |   1 - 2:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 4

Instructional Leaders: Supporting Teachers with the ELA Proficiency Guide - March (Self-Paced Modules)

This new, self-paced course enables ABE instructional leaders to utilize a key resource, the ELA Proficiency Guide, to enhance English Language Arts (ELA) instruction in their programs. Along with the ABE Professional Standards, the ELA Proficiency Guide holds up a vision for effective instruction in ABE, and in this micro-course, you will explore supplemental tools, resources, and PD activities to help guide teachers in using ideas from these documents to shape their own professional practice.

• Mar. 4, 2026   |  Modules open at 8 a.m.
• Apr. 8, 2026   |  Course closes at 11:59 p.m.

Wednesday, March 11

Recipe for Success 2.0: The ABE Content Standards & Instructional Shifts for ELA - March (Self-Paced Modules) 

This engaging course provides an introduction to the ABE Content Standards for English Language Arts (ELA) described in the College and Career Readiness Standards for Adult Education (CCRSAE) and how to use them to provide standards-based instruction in the ABE classroom. 

• Mar. 11, 2026   |  Modules open at 9 a.m.
• Apr. 22, 2026   |  Course closes at 11:59 p.m.

Collaboration Events

Promoting English Learners’ Success Through Scaffolding

Come see how to scaffold learning so that ALL learners can have success with complex tasks regardless of their English proficiency levels! Scaffolding includes building on learners’ prior knowledge, promoting supportive classroom interactions, providing language supports and tools, and assessing when learners are ready to move to the next level of complexity. The examples of scaffolding techniques provided for beginning through advanced English learners enable participants to consider the applications to their settings in both ESOL and ABE classes.

• Feb. 24, 2026  |  1 - 3 p.m.

Inspiring Career Development and Action: Strategies for Teachers and Advisors (Online Blended)

Massachusetts adult education programs are required to provide students with career exploration and planning content while simultaneously building academic skills, though they often need support to do so. Providing standards-based, career-contextualized instruction is a win-win for teachers, advisors, and students, as it maximizes the instructional time students have in the classroom. The Inspiring Career Development and Action series is for teachers and advisors whose goals include supporting learners in pursuing educational and career opportunities while achieving academic goals.

• Mar. 2, 2026    |  Course opens at 9 a.m. for independent activities
• Mar. 4, 2026    |  10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• Mar. 18, 2026  |  10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Introduction to Teaching Skills That Matter (Self-Paced Modules)

This introduction to the Teaching Skills That Matter in Adult Education provides an overview of the TSTM instructional framework and the TSTM Toolkit. The introduction also provides materials and guidance to train teachers to incorporate the skills that matter into adult education programming by using instructional approaches that work across relevant topic focus areas that are connected to student needs. Using the TSTM project’s tools and training, adult education teachers can teach the transferable skills students need in these critical contexts. 

• Mar. 2, 2026    |  Modules open at 9 a.m.
• Apr. 17, 2026  |  Course closes at 11:59 p.m. 

Learner Perspective on Disability-Inclusive Instruction

What do adult students with learning differences have to say about their own classroom experiences, and how does that inform instruction? During this session, you will reflect on your classroom and learn strategies for teaching reading and writing using content that centers on the voices and experiences of adult learners with disabilities and learning differences. 

• Mar. 3, 2026    |  1 - 2:30 p.m.