California Adult Education Program (CAEP) Professional Development 

Adult education providers face mounting pressures to meet varied learner needs, adapt to workforce demands, and demonstrate measurable outcomes, all while navigating limited resources and evolving policies. Programs require accessible tools, research, and professional development to strengthen their capacity and ensure adult learners can thrive.

Purpose

This project equips California’s 71 adult education consortia with the knowledge, tools, and strategies needed to deliver high-quality programs. Through professional development, technical assistance, and research, we support practitioners in addressing gaps, improving student outcomes, and aligning services with workforce and community needs. By combining data-driven insights with practical training, the project fosters innovation, collaboration, and long-term sustainability in adult education across the state.

Audiences Served

We serve practitioners, administrators, and consortia leaders within California’s adult education system, including those offering ESL, high school equivalency, and workforce training programs. Our work ultimately benefits adult learners by strengthening the systems designed to help them achieve education, career, and life goals.

Project Activities

We provide professional development through webinars and in-person trainings; deliver customized technical assistance to consortia; and produce tools that inform planning and decision-making. Activities include supporting 3-year planning, advancing integrated education and training (IET) and other accelerated learning models, building data literacy, and equipping practitioners to advocate for adult education at institutional and state levels.

Project Director

Meghan R. McBride

Meghan McBride brings over 20 years of experience in education, specializing in program design, policy, and workforce alignment to expand opportunity for adult learners….

Funder

This project is funded by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office.

Project Duration

2017–ongoing (renewed annually)