Upcoming Workshops
Participants must get program manager permission before registering for any workshop. No walk-ins.
All upcoming workshops are summarized in the table below. Select or scroll to a workshop for more details. Register for any workshop using the Online Registration button above or by following the link to register with each workshop.
Magic School AI
Capacity: Limited to 30 attendees. 1 remaining registrations available.
Date/Time: Saturday, April 25, 2026 8:30AM – 11:30AM
Location: Holtsville, NY
Instructor(s): Ed Barry
This professional development workshop introduces Adult Education instructors to Magic School, an AI-powered instructional tool designed to support lesson planning, differentiated instruction, and learner engagement. Participants will explore practical strategies for integrating AI applications into Adult Literacy classrooms to enhance instruction. The session focuses on how Magic School can help educators efficiently design standards based lesson plans aligned with the College and Career Readiness Standards (CCRS), create individualized learning activities, and provide contextualized instruction that supports English language learners and adult basic education students. Participants will also examine best practices and ethical considerations for using AI in educational settings, ensuring that technology is used responsibly and equitably to promote measurable student learning gains.
Format: Interactive workshop including hands-on technology demonstrations. Please bring your own device, Laptop, iPad, or Chromebook.
3 hours PD.
Enhancing English Language Learning: Integrating Practical Strategies Using Innovative Digital Platforms
Sorry, this workshop is full and is no longer accepting new registrations.
Date/Time: Saturday, April 25, 2026 8:30AM – 11:30AM
Location: Holtsville, NY
Instructor(s): Richard Miller
This interactive workshop provides adult literacy educators with a comprehensive toolkit to bridge communication gaps and differentiate instruction for English Language Learners (ELLs). Grounded in evidence-based practices for adult education, participants will explore how to integrate assistive technologies to increase classroom accessibility and streamline communication with students.
The session will delve into practical strategies for scaffolding and differentiation using innovative digital platforms. Educators will learn to use AI-driven tools for content adaptation, EdPuzzle for strategic "chunking" of complex material, and gamification tools like Kahoot!, Blookit, and Gimkit to boost learner persistence and engagement to increase measurable gains. By the end of this session, staff will be equipped to create immersive, multi-modal learning environments that accommodate diverse proficiency levels and learning needs.
Format: Interactive workshop including hands-on technology demonstrations. Please bring a Laptop, iPad, or Chromebook.
3 hours PD.
TABE 13/14 Test Administrator Training
Capacity: Limited to 30 attendees. 19 remaining registrations available.
Date/Time: Saturday, April 25, 2026 8:30AM – 3:00PM
Location: Holtsville, NY
Instructor(s): Martin G. Murphy, Ph.D.
TABE 13/14 workshop has been revised and requires a full day of training. Increase rigor when administering the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE). Become familiar with TABE Forms 13 & 14 as an assessment tool for placing students, monitoring student progress, planning instruction, and improving your program. Learn about the various TABE materials, especially the Locator Test and the Complete Battery of Tests. Compare the different levels, content, and formats of the test. NOTE: Test administrators must be re-certified at least every THREE years.
**Participants must get program manager permission before registering for any workshop**
6 hours PD.
AEPP Case Manager Training
Capacity: Limited to 30 attendees. 15 remaining registrations available.
Date/Time: Saturday, April 25, 2026 8:30AM – 12:25PM
Location: Holtsville, NY
Instructor(s): Lisa Rodriguez
This case management training has been designed by NYSED's Office of ACCES-Adult Education Program and Policy (AEPP) for all case managers in adult education programs funded under Employment Preparation Education (EPE) State aid, Welfare Education Program (WEP), WIOA Title II, and Adult Literacy Education (ALE) Funding. Case managers will learn the ACCES-AEPP priorities and be able to share them with their students. Topic areas such as the 4 pathways to a NYS High School Equivalency Diploma, the adult education intake process, and identification of the barriers to employment will be covered. It is expected that case managers will also become very familiar with quality resources within their own community and actively support their students by referring students to these resources.
4 hours PD.
Google Suite + AI for Adult Literacy & GED Prep
Capacity: Limited to 30 attendees. 1 remaining registrations available.
Date/Time: Saturday, April 25, 2026 12:00PM – 3:00PM
Location: Holtsville, NY
Instructor(s): Ed Barry
Join a hands-on workshop designed for adult literacy and GED instructors who want practical, classroom-ready strategies that combine Google Workspace with AI tools (including Magic School and other AI platforms). Teachers will:
* Collaborate in small groups to generate Literacy and GED-focused lessons using AI alongside Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, Forms, and Classroom.
* Practice leveling content so learners engage with the same core skills at different complexity levels.
* Test, compare, and reflect on multiple AI applications to choose tools that best support differentiation, formative assessment, and student engagement.
* Leave with ready-to-use lesson templates, and example activities.
Perfect for instructors seeking to expand their instructional toolbox with tech-forward, practical strategies that save planning time and improve individualized support.
Format: Interactive workshop including hands-on technology demonstrations. Please bring a laptop or Chromebook to participate in the hands-on activities and digital exploration.
3 hours PD.
Enhancing English Language Learning: Integrating Practical Strategies Using Innovative Digital Platforms
Sorry, this workshop is full and is no longer accepting new registrations.
Date/Time: Saturday, April 25, 2026 12:00PM – 3:00PM
Location: Holtsville, NY
Instructor(s): Richard Miller
This interactive workshop provides adult literacy educators with a comprehensive toolkit to bridge communication gaps and differentiate instruction for English Language Learners (ELLs). Grounded in evidence-based practices for adult education, participants will explore how to integrate assistive technologies to increase classroom accessibility and streamline communication with students.
The session will delve into practical strategies for scaffolding and differentiation using innovative digital platforms. Educators will learn to use AI-driven tools for content adaptation, EdPuzzle for strategic "chunking" of complex material, and gamification tools like Kahoot!, Blookit, and Gimkit to boost learner persistence and engagement to increase measurable gains. By the end of this session, staff will be equipped to create immersive, multi-modal learning environments that accommodate diverse proficiency levels and learning needs.
Format: Interactive workshop including hands-on technology demonstrations. Please bring a Laptop, iPad, or Chromebook.
3 hours PD.
BEST Literacy 2.0
Capacity: Limited to 30 attendees. 14 remaining registrations available.
Date/Time: Saturday, April 25, 2026 1:00PM – 3:00PM
Location: Holtsville, NY
Instructor(s): Susan Shiloni
Best Literacy 2.0 is an assessment used to measure adult English language learners’ ability to read and write in English. In this workshop, we will look at how the Best Literacy 2.0 is used in our NYSED funded programs, what the content looks like, what’s expected from our students, and how to administer and score the test. This is a 2-hour workshop.
2 hours PD
Back to Basics
Capacity: Limited to 20 attendees. 13 remaining registrations available.
Date/Time: Friday, May 01, 2026 10:00AM – 12:00AM
Location: Smithtown, NY
Instructor(s): Charlotte Zeman
The beginning of the school year brings together a community of new and continuing adult learners. Whether you are a novel instructor or a seasoned one, there are several strategies that may serve as a guideline to starting the teaching year with confidence that will work for facilitating lessons at all English language proficiency levels. Since adult learners come to us with varied educational levels, neurodiverse abilities, and cultural and religious backgrounds, the start of a new program is a great way to begin with basic learning strategies that can benefit every student.
This adult-centered presentation explores best-practices in adult education. Foundational teaching methods incorporate NYS curriculum objectives that support digital literacy while providing differentiation of content according to the proficiency level of students. Topics include: Strategies to master new vocabulary; Being tech ready; Language standards; Active listening skills; Day laborer to career; Lesson differentiation; and Healthy you. Facilitation of best-practices in the form of hands-on group work and digital resources will provide participants with immediate materials to incorporate into lessons.
2 hours PD.
Student Achievement in Reading (STAR) Training Series, Comprehension Assessment
Capacity: Limited to 30 attendees. 1 remaining registrations available.
Date/Time: Saturday, May 09, 2026 8:30AM – 11:30AM
Location: Garden City, NY
Instructor(s): Susan Giuliano
The Comprehension Assessment and Instruction Training Module will provide you with the necessary tools to assess your adult education students’ skill in comprehension. You will learn to conduct, score, and interpret the Comprehension Assessment.
Social, Academic and Emotional Language in the ESL Classroom
Sorry, this workshop is full and is no longer accepting new registrations.
Date/Time: Saturday, May 09, 2026 8:30AM – 11:30AM
Location: Garden City, NY
Instructor(s): Sara Izquierdo
English Language Learners need different types of language. Students need informal language to socialize and participate in the world around them, academic language for school and the workplace, and emotional language to fully experience life in their new country. In the ESL classroom, students need all of these. In this workshop we will explore ways to teach social, academic and emotional language.
3 hours PD.
Program Administrator approval is needed in order to take this workshop.
Getting the Most Out of Google Tools (computers needed) AM
Sorry, this workshop is full and is no longer accepting new registrations.
Date/Time: Saturday, May 09, 2026 8:30AM – 11:30AM
Location: Garden City, NY
Instructor(s): Jessica Lund
Discover practical ways to utilize AI tools to make lesson planning and prep more efficient. Learn how to save time while still creating engaging, personalized experiences for your students. We will be using and exploring ChatGPT and Magic School platforms.
3 hours PD.
Case Manager Training
Sorry, this workshop is full and is no longer accepting new registrations.
Date/Time: Saturday, May 09, 2026 8:30AM – 12:00PM
Location: Garden City, NY
Instructor(s): Karen Micciche
This case management training has been designed by NYSED's Office of ACCES-Adult Education Program and Policy (AEPP) for all case managers in adult education programs funded under Employment Preparation Education (EPE) State aid, Welfare Education Program (WEP), WIOA Title II, and Adult Literacy Education (ALE) Funding. Case managers will learn the ACCES-AEPP priorities and be able to share them with their students. Topic areas such as the 4 pathways to a NYS High School Equivalency Diploma, the adult education intake process, and identification of the barriers to employment will be covered. It is expected that case managers will also become very familiar with quality resources within their own community and actively support their students by referring students to these resources.
3.5 hours PD.
Get On Your Feet! Using Physical Movement to Improve ESL Student Learning
Sorry, this workshop is full and is no longer accepting new registrations.
Date/Time: Saturday, May 09, 2026 12:00PM – 3:00PM
Location: Garden City, NY
Instructor(s): Sara Izquierdo
In this workshop we will participate in activities that incorporate movement. Physical activity can improve recall, boost mood and decrease stress level in the classroom. We will find ways to incorporate movement into listening, speaking, reading and writing activities to improve outcomes for English Language Learners.
3 hours PD.
Program Administrator approval is needed in order to take this workshop.
Getting the Most Out of Google Tools (computers needed) PM
Sorry, this workshop is full and is no longer accepting new registrations.
Date/Time: Saturday, May 09, 2026 12:00PM – 3:00PM
Location: Garden City, NY
Instructor(s): Jessica Lund
Discover practical ways to utilize AI tools to make lesson planning and prep more efficient. Learn how to save time while still creating engaging, personalized experiences for your students. We will be using and exploring ChatGPT and Magic School platforms.
3 hours PD.
Student Achievement in Reading (STAR) Training Series, Comprehension Instruction
Sorry, this workshop is full and is no longer accepting new registrations.
Date/Time: Saturday, May 09, 2026 12:00PM – 3:00PM
Location: Garden City, NY
Instructor(s): Susan Giuliano
The trainer will review comprehension instructional areas including analyzing text and text structure, understanding an author’s purpose, identifying main ideas, finding supporting details, making inferences, and understanding figurative language. This module will provide you with the necessary tools to work with your adult education students on their comprehension needs in a classroom setting. You will learn how to incorporate the steps of explicit instruction and how to group students together for comprehension instruction.
3 hours PD.
AEPP/NYSED Program Manager Meeting
Date/Time: Thursday, June 18, 2026 9:30AM – 12:00PM
Location: Huntington Station, NY
Instructor(s): Martin G. Murphy, Ph.D. and staff of NYSED AEPP
Staff of agencies receiving federal or state funds to provide adult literacy services below the post-secondary level are invited to attend this comprehensive statewide update.
No PD hours.
Local updates/refreshments at 9:00 AM.
BEST Plus Test Administrator Training, 3.0
Capacity: Limited to 20 attendees. 18 remaining registrations available.
Date/Time: Tuesday, August 04, 2026 9:30AM – 3:30PM
Location: Brentwood, NY
Instructor(s): Virginia Guarino
Building 4 (La Providencia) on the 2nd floor. Please ring the buzzer to our main entrance in order to enter the building.
Please bring a Test Administrator Guide (TAG), which should be provided by your program administrator to this training. TAGs should be available to share among administrators.
If you have completed the certification process, you CANNOT repeat this course for PD credit.
BEST Plus 3.0 Administrator Training is the initial training necessary to be certified to give the BEST Plus 3.0 assessment. Once certified, Administrators are required to take a Refresher Training every year thereafter.
BEST Plus 3.0 replaced BEST Plus 2.0 beginning FY26 (July 1, 2025).
The BEST Plus, developed by Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL), is an individually administered face-to-face scripted oral interview designed to assess the English language proficiency of adult English learners. The BEST Plus is intended to assess interpersonal communication using everyday language. It integrates current knowledge in the assessment of speaking and listening skills with the latest knowledge and practice in educational measurement to present a precise, updated, and flexible oral assessment.
This training satisfies the NYSED requirement for all NYS BEST Plus 3.0 administrators in adult literacy programs. This training must be completed once, followed by a BEST Plus Refresher Training every 3 years thereafter.
This 10 hour training counts toward the 14 hours of professional development requirement for all NYSED funded program staff. The training workshop is 6 hours, and 4 additional hours of asynchronous work watching the videos and completing the BEST Plus 3.0 Final Requirements mini-course on Moodle will be credited. After completing the mini-course, individuals will be issued their BEST Plus 3.0 Test Administrator digital certificate. These should be sent to LI-RAEN, vsindone@li-raen.org, for credit.
HSE Network Meeting
Date/Time: Wednesday, September 09, 2026 12:30PM – 2:30PM
Location: Long Beach, NY
Instructor(s): Martin G. Murphy, Ph.D.
This meeting is open to all HSE preparation programs as well as testing agencies.
During this meeting, we will discuss current updates from NYSED/ACCES/AEPP.
In light of the new TABE 13/14, as well as returning to the GED Test, questions of program redesign will be discussed.
Lunch will be served at 12:00 PM.
NO PD HOURS.
AEPP/NYSED Program Manager Meeting
Date/Time: Thursday, September 17, 2026 12:30PM – 3:00PM
Location: Huntington Station, NY
Instructor(s): Martin G. Murphy, Ph.D. and staff of NYSED AEPP
Staff of agencies receiving federal or state funds to provide adult literacy services below the post-secondary level are invited to attend this comprehensive statewide update.
No PD hours.
Local updates/refreshments at 12:00 PM.
AEPP/NYSED Program Manager Meeting
Date/Time: Thursday, December 17, 2026 9:30AM – 12:00PM
Location: Huntington Station, NY
Instructor(s): Martin G. Murphy, Ph.D. and staff of NYSED AEPP
Staff of agencies receiving federal or state funds to provide adult literacy services below the post-secondary level are invited to attend this comprehensive statewide update.
No PD hours.
Local updates/refreshments at 9:00 AM.