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Community College and Workforce Development

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Adult Basic Skills Professional Development

Also see Adult Basic Skills Resources or return to the main web page for the Adult Basic Skills Program.

The HECC Office of Community Colleges ​and Workforce Developm​ent is committed to providing research-based professional develo​pment that will assist Oregon’s Adult Basic Skills (ABS) programs in meeting their educational and career development goals. Professional development for ABS faculty, staff, and administrators is 
available ​on a local, state, and national level.​

Our approach is evidence-based and centered on collaboration between the providers, the state, and other WIOA partners, with the goal of improving the quality of instruction and subsequent student outcomes within WIOA programs across the state.

Professional Development

Oregon's Adult Basic Skills Learning Standards are the Oregon Adult College and Career Readiness Standards (OACCRS) and the Oregon Adult English Language Proficiency Standards (OAELPS).​
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​​The Learning Standards Foundation Training is a required training comprised of two modules: 

(1) The OACCRS/OAELPS Orientation Module and
(2) The Adult Education Module. 

Facilitated workshops are offered for the Orientation Module only. Check the ABS Professional Development Calendar for dates and registration information.

Self-study versions of both modules are available on Canvas LMS. Email ashley.garrigan@hecc.oregon.gov to enroll.




​​​​​Facilitated trainings for additional learning standards modules are offered throughout the program year by ABS instructors who are also state learning standards trainers. Self-study versions of the modules are available on Canvas LMS. 

The OACCRS/OAELPS Orientation Module provides a vital baseline knowledge of the standards that is necessary to participate in the modules below. Participants must complete the Orientation Module before taking additional modules or participating in a standards-based PLC.

It is recommended, but not required, that participants take the modules in order.

PLC activities related to the module topics are available in the "Professional Learning Communities" section.

Register for facilitated trainings on the ABS PD Calendar or email ashley.garrigan@hecc.oregon.gov for access to the modules on Canvas.

  • Math Module 1: The Key Shifts
    Learn about the Key Shifts in content and instruction that underlie the standards: Focus, Rigor, and Coherence.
  • Math Module 2: The Mathematical Standards of Practice
    Learn about the 8 Standards of Mathematical Practice: essential habits of mind and action that describe student behaviors, ensure an understanding of math, and focus on developing reasoning and building mathematical communication.
  • Math Module 3: The Mathematical Standards of Content
    Use a variety of tools to develop their understanding of the Standards for Mathematical Content and begin to apply these standards to your practice.
  • Math Module 4: Integrating the Key Shifts, Standards for Mathematical Practice, and Standards for Mathematical Content
    Bring it all together and practice applying all the components of the standards to your own practice.
Please note that the Language Arts/ESOL Modules below incorporate both OACCRS-LA and OAELPS, with an opportunity for participants to engage with whichever set of standards meets their needs.

  • LA/ESOL Module 1: The Four Dimensions and Process Skills
    Learn about The Four Dimensions of Performance and The Process Skills through guided activities and discussions.
  • LA/ESOL Module 2: Planning Instruction - Starting from an Anchor
    Experiment with creating a standards-aligned lesson plan starting from an anchor.
  • LA/ESOL Module 3: Planning Instruction - Starting from a Task
    Experiment with creating a standards-aligned lesson plan starting from a task.​​
  • LA/ESOL Module 4: The Key Advances with a Focus on Text Complexity
    Use a variety of methods to evaluate text complexity for use in instruction and learn why Key Advance #1 is essential to college and career readiness. Key Advances #2 and #3 will also be addressed.


​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Standards-based Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) are a requirement for ABS program directors/coordinators, instructors, and data professionals. Taking the Orientation module is a pre-requisite for participation in a standards-based PLC.​ 

Sample activities for PLCs have been provided below and will continue to be added on an ongoing basis.​


In PY23-24, there will be two Statewide PLCs offered during Winter/Spring. More information is forthcoming. Contact ashley.garrigan@hecc.oregon.gov​ with questions.

  • ​​Using CASAS Data to Inform Standards-based Instruction
  • Connections between Math/English


In PY23-24, Oregon ABS programs continue their use of BurlingtonEnglish to support its ESOL students and programs. 

Administration and instructors using Burlington English are required to participate in quarterly professional development. New instructors are required to take several additional self-study modules. 

Registration links for BE trainings are available in the ABS PD Calendar as well as in the second document below.

  • BurlingtonEnglish Professional Development Requirements
  • BurlingtonEnglish Professional Development Schedule


​​PLC activities related to TSTM are available in the "Professional Learning Communities" section.


​The Community of Practice (COP) is a place for ABS members across the state to engage with peers about adult education practices and access high-quality ABS resources. In PY23-24, the Community of Practice (COP) was moved from Basecamp to Canvas.

Participants can engage in any of a variety of topics, including the Lesson Plan Bank, ABE/GED, ESOL, Distance Learning & Digital Literacy, Program & Student Data, Professional Development, and more.

Synchronous activities are also advertised on the COP.

To join, email ashley.garrigan@hecc.oregon.gov.



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