First Literacy

Professional development workshops provide adult educators with information and resources on evidence-based teaching methodology and curriculam design, cross-cultural issues, and student assessment approaches relevant to the adult education classroom. Teachers who participate in workshops, facilitated by knowledgeable peers or expert consultants, are supported in trying out new ideas in their classroom and sharing their experiences with peers on site and at follow-up workshops.

Our First Literacy lab initiative offers small grants to adult basic education programs to improve practice and to strengthen programs. The flexibility of these grants allows programs to meet emerging student needs in a timely fashion. The grants also allow venues such aslibraries and volunteer organizations to introduce or expand their services to immigrants. Recipients of First Literacy grants share the results of their work with the greater abe community at an annual event and are supported and mentored to become facilitators ofworkshops for abe teachers.

Scholarships and support for adult learners who have successfully completed basic studies in an abe program and are pursuing college or technical education are eligible for a First Literacy scholarship. Recipients are awarded scholarships in recognition of their educational achievements and potential, their commitment to community service, and their resiliency and perseverance in the face of hardship. To sustain this ongoing learning community, we host scholar networking evenings, invite scholars to all First Literacy events, ask interested scholars to speak at events, and First Literacy representatives attend all community and educational events where our scholars are honored. We also look for ways in which we can more deeply involve the scholars with the broader community and cultural life of our city.