Adult Education is

COABE is advancing adult education across the United States. We connect educators, learners, and partners with the resources, research, and professional learning that strengthen adult education nationwide.

Become a Member

Adult education resources for educators and learners

Lead, Equip, and Empower are the three principles that guide COABE’s work. They shape our commitment to advancing adult education through innovation, high-quality professional development, and practical adult education resources for educators and programs. By empowering learners and communities, we help create new pathways for growth and lasting impact.

We Lead

by example, empowering our learners with the skills and confidence they need to seize opportunities. We equip them not just for today, but for the future they envision.

We Equip

our educators with the tools and resources necessary to inspire transformation in every classroom, fueling a passion for lifelong learning.

We Empower

our administrators with the vision and strategies to innovate and implement change, building stronger, more adaptive institutions.

Who we serve

An adult educator standing in front of his class smiling.

Educators & Associations

We equip educators with tools to inspire classroom transformation and foster lifelong learning, and support administrators with strategies to drive innovation and build stronger, more adaptable institutions.

Adult Learners

We empower adult learners with the skills and confidence they need to seize opportunities. We equip them not just for today, but for the future they envision.

Young COABE business partner explaining the value of adult education to colleagues.

Employers, Funders & Partners

We equip employers, funders, and partners with the collaboration and support they need to help push the boundaries of what’s possible, creating a collective impact that reaches far beyond education.

THE SIGNAL

What's shaping adult education

Research and policy developments, translated into the questions that matter for adult education.

TRI-C • OHIO | RESOURCE

A diploma route
built around work

Cuyahoga Community College offers eligible Ohio adults a no-cost route to a state-issued high school diploma. The program combines a six-week bridge experience, WorkKeys assessments and workforce requirements. Its published pathway shows how academic preparation, campus support and work-based learning can fit together. Eligibility starts at age 18 and requires Ohio residency and withdrawal from high school.

LITERACY MINNESOTA | RESOURCE

Tutor training
on your schedule

Literacy Minnesota offers recorded training and self-paced courses for adult education teachers and tutors. Topics include learner motivation, barriers, cultural awareness and instructional practice. Registration provides access to materials. Check credit rules before enrolling: out-of-state participants cannot receive CEUs for recordings or Canvas coursework, but can earn them through live webinars.

OCEAN COUNTY COLLEGE | NOV 5, 2026

Career exploration
with access in mind

Ocean County College reports a $100,000 grant for its Adult Transition Center to support adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The funded work includes a ten-week work and career-readiness course. For program leaders, it is a timely example of planning accessible career exploration; the announcement describes funded activities, not demonstrated employment outcomes.

Adult Education's Return On Investment

Click on an image to download PDF.

Adult education meets current challenges, stimulates the economy, and connects talent to employers.

Workforce Re-Entry & Economic Contribution

Empowering non-native speakers to navigate, integrate, and achieve professional success.

English Proficiency & Career Pathways

Fulfilling educational milestones, fueling higher education, and boosting local economies.

Adult Literacy & High School Equivalency

October 2026 VIP Partner

Stop Being the Best Kept Secret! Turn abstract data into compelling human stories and narratives that drive enrollment and funding. Secure one of only 12 cohort seats in the eFCM Storytelling Academy from Full Capacity Marketing.

👉 Explore the Academy:

https://www.fullcapacitymarketing.com/efcm-storytelling-academy/

#FCM #COABE #LearningHub #workforcedevelopment #wkdev #adulteducation #adulted #storytelling