303 Homestead Avenue, Holyoke MA 01040
Tel: (413) 552-2586 • Fax: (413) 552-2067

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Community Planning

The Community Planning initiative in the state aims to bring social service agencies, ABE programs, employers, parenting organizations, and other organizations to the same table to look at ways to help learners meet their needs.

CP is a process of identifying needs, finding existing assets, and exploring ways to create solutions for unmet needs.

Distance Learning

Different from students learning alone at home with a computer, Distance Learning (DL) in ABE is an exciting new concept. Learners use video-based curriculum and meet with tutors and study groups on a regular basis. DL materials can be used as part of a "regular" classroom lesson, or can be used to supplement class-based learning.

DL tools can also be used for program development, professional development, and even as a means to communicate with colleagues.

Social Action Theater
This link will open a new browser window to the Social Action Theater web site

The WMass Social Action Theater Group addresses issues of social importance through the medium of theater. They create quality performances for adolescent and adult learners, teachers and others. They develop scenarios about social themes and structure the performance so that there is audience participation at key moments in the drama. They believe that through emotional awareness and empathy, theater can create a deeper understanding of the social issue and the people it affects. They have performed at many Massachusetts' educational and conference locations.

EFF

Equipped for the Future (EFF) is a national standards-based initiative to reform the adult literacy system so that it better prepares adults for what they need to know and be able to do in today's world. The aim of EFF is to: 1) build a consensus about what adults need to know and be able to do, and 2) develop a set of standards that would focus the system on delivering these results and be used to document progress in ways that are useful to students, programs, and policymakers.

Diversity

Diversity in ABE encompasses a broad range of areas including issues of race, class, gender, sexual orientation, religion, culture, disabilities. The ABE teacher or administrator needs to be aware of how these issues affect his/her work and learners. Click here to find out about the work SABES is doing in this area.