8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Registration and Breakfast

9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

Welcome Remarks and Summit Opening

Speakers:

• Dr. Rodney Hopson, Acting Co-Dean and Professor, School of Education, American University
• Andrew Roberts, Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy
• Denine Torr, Vice President CSR and Philanthropy, Dollar General / Executive Director, Dollar General Literacy Foundation
• Sarah Cacicio, Director, Adult Literacy and Learning Impact Network

9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

What is the Value of Adult Literacy?

The panel will include perspectives on the value of adult literacy, including digital literacy, from key stakeholder groups across the adult learning ecosystem, including learners, policymakers, employers, and educators.

Speakers:

• Dr. Felicia Cumings Smith, President & Chief Executive Ofiicer, National Center for Families Learning (Moderator)
• Mike King, State Adult Education Director, South Carolina Department of Education, Office of Adult Education
• Dr. Amy Loyd, Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Education, Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education
• Alma Gabriela Salado, Student Services and Leadership Coordinator (and former adult learner), Briya Public Charter School
• Priyanka Sharma, Vice President, World Education – U.S. Division
• Dr. Brent Stubbs, Head of Learning and Development, Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA)  

10:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

Advancing Adult Literacy: Mobilizing Business & the Beltway

This session will share key findings from new research by FTI Consulting, commissioned by ALL IN. FTI surveyed 500 employers across the United States and 200 DC-based Policymakers to understand perceptions of adult literacy as a national issue. The team also conducted a focus group with adult learners as part of the study. The session will include breakout discussions to explore effective ways to raise awareness and increase investment in literacy-building programs across sectors and communities.

Speaker(s):

• James Condon, Managing Director, Strategic Communications, FTI Consulting

This presentation will be followed by small group discussions facilitated by Coordinating Council Members.

10:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Coffee Break and Networking

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Overview of the Adult Learning Ecosystem
Members of the Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE) will provide an overview of the current adult education system, including Adult Foundational Education, High School Equivalency Preparation, Teaching English for Speakers of Other Languages, and more! 

Speakers:

• Sharon Bonney, Chief Executive Officer, Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE)
• Shaketta Thomas, President, Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE)

Community-Engaged Research: Highlighting Innovative Adult Literacy Programs, Policy, and Practice (Part I) followed by Q&A

Facilitated by ALL IN member, World Education, this session will include an overview of the adult learning ecosystem, followed by 3 TED-style talk mini research presentations from the recipients of the ALL IN small grants initiative. In 2023, ALL IN funded 5 short-term research projects to unearth instructional and programmatic innovation, make visible teacher knowledge, and offer insights in line with broad goals of the National Action Plan for Adult Literacy related to access, quality, and/or uptake of adult learning opportunities. For more information, see: https://allinliteracy.org/all-in-small-grants-initiatives-awards-announcement/

Speakers:

• Dr. Jen Vanek, Director of Digital Learning and Research, EdTech Center at World Education (Moderator)
• Brooke Machado, Senior Program Manager for Adult Education, Mayor’s Office, City of Boston
• Dr. Alisa Belzer, Program Director for the Ed.M. in Adult and Continuing Education Program at the Graduate School of Education, Rutgers University
• Dr. Ashley Simpson Baird, Founder and Principal, Merit Research, Policy, and Evaluation 

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Networking Lunch

1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

ALL IN 2024: Driving Progress toward the National Action Plan for Adult Literacy: Collective Action in Practice

Adults are committed to learning when they see the value and practical advantages of gaining new skills—whether for personal growth, caring for their families, or achieving greater social mobility. During this session, members of the ALL IN Coordinating Council will: 

• further contextualize America's adult literacy problem, including the costs that low literacy imposes on society
• learn more about the links between foundational literacy, including digital literacy, and sustained income growth, better healthcare access, improved talent pipelines, and stronger language and literacy skills among children
• share updates on 2024 initiatives to better assess adult learner needs, goals, and preferences when it comes to lifelong learning
• facilitate discussions to identify how employers, government leaders, and technology companies organizations can boost adult literacy and opportunities at the national, regional, and individual levels

1:00 p.m. - 1:10 p.m. – Introduction

Speaker:

• Sarah Cacicio, Director, Adult Literacy and Learning Impact Network (Presenter)

1:10 p.m. - 1:40 p.m. – Panel Discussion

Speakers:

• Andrew Roberts, Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy (Moderator)
• Deborah Kennedy, Executive Director, National Coalition for Literacy (NCL)
• Jeff Hutcheson, Director, Advocacy and Public Policy, TESOL International Association
• Federico Salas-Isnardi, Director, Mayor’s Office for Adult Literacy, City of Houston, TX
• Kevin Strowder, Director, Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services, American Library Association  

1:40 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. – A Fireside Chat: Innovative Literacy Skill-Building via Cross-Sector Partnerships

How can we expand access to adult literacy skills? Solutions involve both technology and people. Join Mark Vineis, President and CEO of ProLiteracy in a conversation with Dr. Katie Brown, Founder & Chief Education Officer of EnGen, as they explore opportunities to integrate English, digital, and workforce literacy-skill building for multilingual adult learners and workers. To learn more about EnGen, click here.

Speakers:

• Mark Vineis, President and Chief Executive Officer, ProLiteracy
• Dr. Katie Brown, Founder & Chief Education Officer, EnGen

 

 

2:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.

Coffee Break and Networking

2:15 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Co-Designing the Future Adult Learning Ecosystem: Breakout Activity

Discussions facilitated by members of the ALL IN Coordinating Council

 

3:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.

Community-Engaged Research: Highlighting Innovative Adult Literacy Programs, Policy, and Practice (Part II) followed by Q&A

Facilitated by ALL IN member, World Education, this session will include an overview of the adult learning ecosystem, followed by 3 TED-style talk mini research presentations from the recipients of the ALL IN small grants initiative. In 2023, ALL IN funded 5 short-term research projects to unearth instructional and programmatic innovation, make visible teacher knowledge, and offer insights in line with broad goals of the National Action Plan for Adult Literacy related to access, quality, and/or uptake of adult learning opportunities. For more information, see: ALL IN Small Grants Initiatives Awards Announcement.

Speakers:

• Dr. Jen Vanek, Director of Digital Learning and Research, EdTech Center at World Education (Moderator)
• Dr. Melissa Hauber-Ozer, Assistant Professor of Qualitative Inquiry in the Department of Learning, Teaching, and Curriculum, University of Missouri, Co-coordinator of the Action Research Network of the Americas Knowledge Democracy Initiative, and Chair-Elect of the Adult Education interest section and secretary of the Refugee Concerns interest section of TESOL International
• Dr. Margaret Patterson, Senior Researcher, Research Allies for Lifelong Learning

3:45 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Mobilizing a National Effort: Closing Remarks & Summit Survey

• Mobilizing a National Effort to Advance Adult Literacy, Remarks by Senator Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island), Co-Chair of the U.S. Senate Caucus on Adult Literacy
• Denine Torr, Vice President CSR and Philanthropy, Dollar General / Executive Director, Dollar General Literacy Foundation

Sarah Cacicio, Director, Adult Literacy and Learning Impact Network (Presenter)

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Networking Social Hour

SOCIAL HOUR GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY: