CASAS

🎲 This year's California Consortium at the CASAS Summer Institute was both fun and memorable!

For the first time ever, California WIOA Title I partners joined us for game night activities designed to strengthen collaboration and build connections across programs. Thank you to Adam Peck, Michael Wiafe, and all of our WIOA Title I partners for being such great sports and helping make the evening a success.

The session also gave us an opportunity to share a heartfelt farewell with California State Director Dr. Carolyn Zachry and celebrate her many contributions to adult education.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for another wonderful California Consortium at SI 2026!

CASAS Summer Institute Keynote Speaker, Amanda Bergson-Shilcock.

We were honored to welcome Amanda Bergson-Shilcock, Senior Fellow at the National Skills Coalition, as our keynote speaker at CASAS Summer Institute 2026.

A nationally recognized leader in adult education and workforce policy, Amanda shared valuable insights on the evolving workforce landscape, the growing role of digital skills and AI, and the importance of ensuring adult learners have access to opportunities that lead to meaningful careers. Her work focuses on expanding opportunities for adult learners and job seekers through effective workforce and education policy.

Amanda's keynote challenged us to think boldly about the future while remaining grounded in the needs of the learners and communities we serve. Thank you, Amanda, for an informative, thought-provoking, and inspiring presentation. We may even be ready to start a chaos garden of our own. 🌻

We are so grateful you joined us at CASAS Summer Institute 2026!

🌎 State of the States!

We were so lucky to hear from Carolyn Zachry, Ed.D. (California), Hector Martínez (Kansas), Megan Dichter (Maine), Patrick Brown (Michigan), and Jeffrey A. Fantine, Ph.D. (Pennsylvania), with Alex Harris moderating today's State of the States panel.

From workforce development and digital literacy to AI, funding, and policy, the discussion highlighted how states across the country are responding to new challenges while continuing to support adult learners. Attendees heard innovative practices, shared priorities, and thoughtful perspectives on the future of adult education.

Today's discussion was a powerful reminder that adult education is strongest when states learn from each other's successes and challenges. Thank you to our panelists for an engaging and insightful conversation.

🌿 CASAS Summer Institute 2026: Safari Summer has officially begun!

From registration and technology labs to the Welcome Reception with Aztec, we've already spotted hundreds of adult education professionals in their natural habitat: learning, networking, and finding the nearest coffee station.

📈 Create Your Campaign for Post-Test Improvement

Learn from the team behind Hillsborough County Public Schools' award-winning "Finish Strong" CASAS Post-Test Campaign, recognized for its creativity, commitment, and innovative school-centered approach to engaging students and teachers.

Using Hillsborough County Public Schools, Florida, as a case study, this session explores how strategic planning, clear messaging, creative engagement strategies, and effective use of CASAS tools helped transform program culture and significantly increase post-testing rates.

Walk away with practical ideas, adaptable resources, and a proven framework to strengthen post-testing practices, improve Measurable Skill Gains, and drive stronger learner outcomes in your own program.

How to register:
https://lnkd.in/gVr42MHr

💻 Leverage a Digital Skills Competency List to Align Instructional Tasks with Essential Digital Skills

CASAS is fortunate to welcome two powerhouse presenters for this session: Jen Vanek of the EdTech Center @ World Education and Jayme Adelson-Goldstein of Lighthearted Learning. Their expertise in digital literacy and adult education makes this a session you won't want to miss!

Discover practical strategies for integrating digital skills into everyday math, ESL, and ELA instruction. Learn how to align classroom activities with the BRIDGES Digital Framework and leave with tools and resources to help learners build essential workplace and academic digital skills.

How to register:
https://lnkd.in/gVr42MHr

https://www.lightheartedlearning.com/about

📊 Strategies for Success: Navigating CASAS GOALS 2 through Data-Driven Instruction

Join Marcus Ripp for a practical session on using CASAS GOALS 2 data to strengthen instruction and support learner success. Explore strategies for interpreting score reports, aligning instruction with College and Career Readiness Standards, and using assessment results to personalize learning and accelerate measurable skill gains.

Walk away with actionable tools and resources to support level-to-level advancement and improve student outcomes across Educational Functioning Levels.

🤖 Reframing Workforce Development: Essential Skills, AI, and the Future of Entry-Level Talent

Join Cabot Jaffee for a forward-looking discussion on how AI and automation are reshaping the workforce, and what that means for preparing entry-level talent for success.

As workplace expectations evolve, employers are increasingly seeking essential skills such as communication, adaptability, professionalism, and sound judgment. Explore how workforce systems and employers can better align around shared definitions of job readiness and discover innovative approaches to assessing real-world skills.

Gain practical insights into strengthening workforce partnerships, improving hiring outcomes, and preparing learners for success in an AI-enabled workplace.

📅 Tuesday, June 16, 2026
🔁 Repeats Wednesday

Join our friends at BurlingtonEnglish for Trivia Night on Tuesday evening from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. After a full day of sessions, it's the perfect chance to relax, connect with fellow attendees, and put all that brainpower to work in a little friendly competition.

From assessment experts to data enthusiasts, instructors to administrators, everyone has a shot at trivia glory. Bring your team, or make one when you get there!

The real question is: can anyone out-trivia Robert Breitbard? 🤔🏆

🔢 Join presenters Yesenia Flores and Derek Papa for an engaging session on helping adult learners overcome math anxiety and build confidence for success.

Many learners struggle with low math self-efficacy, often believing they simply "can't do math." This session explores practical strategies to reduce math anxiety, strengthen study habits, build learner confidence, and support long-term achievement.

Discover how targeted approaches can help learners overcome self-doubt, improve problem-solving skills, and unlock new academic and career opportunities.

📅 Tuesday, June 16

🕝 2:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.


Essential Education