2026 Iowa Adult Education & Literacy Conference

In this session, we will explore the foundational principles of adult learning to gain a deeper understanding of what motivates adult students. We will demonstrate how Burlington applies these principles through a practical and relevant curriculum, collaborative learning activities, and opportunities to build on learners’ experience. Participants will gain an understanding of how to foster greater student engagement, enhance learning outcomes, and support adults in achieving their language goals with a career focus. Plus, get a sneak peek of the new Burlington Workforce courses coming summer 2026!

Adult learners juggle busy lives and career goals, yet traditional surface instruction often leaves them unprepared for real-world demands. This interactive session explores how attention span influences persistence, why deeper learning matters, and how active learning strategies can bridge classroom instruction with workforce readiness. Participants will gain practical tools to move learners from memorization to application—building critical thinking, communication, and teamwork skills that strengthen both educational and career outcomes.

Administrators in large, multi-site agencies with part-time staff strive to support their teams so that those teams can, in turn, best support their students. Our goal is to ensure all staff have the resources necessary to deliver high-quality instruction aligned with the core curriculum. In this session, we will share practical tools and systems designed to foster instructional consistency across diverse program sites.

Discover how to design Career Pathways that align with WIOA regulations and support IET program success. This session will highlight essential components such as employer engagement, partnership development, and using Labor Market Information (LMI) to inform program design. Participants will explore a practical framework for building comprehensive, industry-focused pathways and receive templates for local implementation. The session also includes guidance on designing Single Set of Learning Objectives (SSLOs) that integrate academic instruction with workforce preparation.

Teaching a multi-level adult ELL class can be both challenging and rewarding. In this interactive session, participants will discover effective strategies to meet the needs of learners at varying proficiency levels. Explore ways to differentiate instruction, foster collaboration, and create meaningful learning experiences that keep all students engaged and progressing.