We’re committed to honoring the best of the best in our field!  We are pleased to announce the winners of the COABE National Awards. Thank you to the generous funding provided by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation.

Outstanding Adult Learner

The Outstanding Adult Learner Award is provided to a student who has demonstrated leadership within the formal or non-traditional learning environments. This award is given to a student who has overcome difficult circumstances to pursue adult learning, who has supported other adult learners, and who has managed significant adult responsibilities such as those related to employment, family or community.

Award Criteria:

1. The nominee must be an adult learner as defined by the sponsoring organization. He or she must have significant adult responsibilities, such as those relating to employment, family, or community.
2. Has improved the life situation(s) of self/others as a result of learning experience.
3. Has demonstrated leadership within formal or non-traditional learning environments.
4. Has maintained family, civic, or employment responsibilities while concurrently pursuing educational goals.
5. Has overcome difficult circumstances in order to pursue adult learning experiences.
6. Has been supportive of others engaged in adult learning.
7. The nominee must have been a student or self-directed learner within 12 months prior to the nomination date.

Outstanding Teacher

The Outstanding Teacher, Edgar M. Easley Award, is provided to a practitioner with five or more years of adult education teaching experience that participates in school and community activities. This award is given to an individual who understands the characteristics of the adult learner and who is committed to the adult/continuing education profession.

Outstanding Administrator

The Outstanding Administrator Award is awarded to an adult education administrator with five or more years of experience who has made an outstanding contribution toward fostering the concept of education as a continuing life-process. The awardee must demonstrate a contribution to adult education at the community, state, and/or national levels.

Award Criteria:

1. The nominee has five or more years of experience in adult education.
2. The nominee has made outstanding contributions to adult education.
3. The nominee has a clear understanding of adult education and literacy not only as a process but also as a concept that continues throughout life.
4. The nominee has demonstrated leadership qualities at all levels (local, state, and national levels) and is a strong advocate of adult education and literacy.
5. The nominee has proven results and is respected by his colleagues.
6. The nominee has received awards and recognitions for his/her work.

State Innovation

Does your state have an exciting new initiative or best practice that can be scaled and replicated in other states? If so, please consider nominating your state for State Innovation Award. Entries typically highlight state agencies, state associations, or state led consortium, however entries are not limited to these categories. 

Scholarship Grant

The COABE Scholarship Grant is presented to recipients to fund, or partially fund, college level courses of study that will advance the professional standing of COABE practitioners. Examples of scholarships include employees or volunteers in the field of adult basic education earning a degree or a state certificate/credential; obtaining an ESL certificate; teacher/counselor obtaining counselor/administrative credential; earning an advanced degree in adult education.

Incentive Grant

The COABE Incentive Grant Award is presented to recipients to support activities or projects in the field of adult basic education through the secondary level.

Local Excellence in Advocacy

COABE places a high emphasis on members advocating for adult education at the local, state, and federal level. Did you take action when we sent our legislative alerts encouraging the field to contact their legislators? Did you invite your representative to visit your program? If so, you might be the perfect candidate for Local Excellence in Advocacy!

Outstanding Workplace of the Year

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) calls for Title 1 and Title 2 partners to work together. Does your local program work well with a Title 1 provider? Do you have a great partnership with a business in the workforce sector? If so, please consider nominating your workforce partners for the Outstanding Workplace of the Year Award!

Award Criteria:

1. The nominee has developed an outstanding workplace literacy program serving a local community, state/province, region and/or nation.
2. The nominee has provided workplace literacy programming for more than three years.
3. The nominee has developed customized services/curriculum at varied workplace settings.
4. The nominee can provide evidence from employers that the program has met their objectives.

Deadline to submit a nomination is December 15, 2019. Note: Self nominations will not be accepted.