Literacy Minnesota and the Minnesota Community Education Association (MCEA) will host their 4th annual summer conference focused on ABE issues August 5, 6, and 7, 2009, at the St. Cloud Civic Center--Changing Lives, Changing Communities: ABE Solutions Lead the Way.

Dr. Irwin Kirsch keynotes the conference.  Dr. Kirsch is the Director for the Global Assessment Educational Testing Services (ETS).  Dr. Kirsch has developed and directed a number of large-scale assessments in the area of reading and literacy and was one of the leaders in establishing the first ever comparative international assessment of adult literacy.  He has published numerous papers and reports, including a recent series of monographs for the ETS Policy Information Center on literacy, education and workforce readiness issues including America's Perfect Storm.  Conference participants are asked to view the accompanying video before attending the conference in August.  Click here to view America's Perfect Storm.