In Nevada, we've had much success with providing PD via as many
methods/modalities as possible. We use leadership funds to provide the
following, so there is no cost to participants:

1. We do full-day live workshops, brought on-site to each AEFLA-funded
program--two per program per year. Participants must do a follow-up activity
to receive Certificate of Completion. We also do half-day regional live
pre-service trainings.
2. We have pre-service training also available on CD--it complements the
live workshop.
3. Last year we had full houses (and got great reviews) for study circles on
adult student persistence (we did one in the north, one in the south). We're
offering study circles on English Language Acquisition this year but not
finding the same level of interest. With 82% ESL students, I'm not sure why.
Anyone have any ideas?
4. We pay for online courses related to adult education. (This year we're
really publicizing AE Pro's offerings--past participants gave them good
reviews.)
5. We provide funding for conference participation. Our NV adult education
organization is regrouping at the moment, so we really push the Mountain
Plains Adult Education Association conference. Teachers also choose annual
events such as those offered by COABE, CASAS, LD organizations, ProLiteracy,
etc.
6. We also have a vehicle for people to request special funds for
individualized staff development.
7. We have a peer mentoring program in place; this year we are encouraging
teachers to do site visits (separate from the mentoring).

Each of these activities grows each year, but I worry about the people who
don't participate. I agree with Sandra that "nudging" people helps. And our
experience is that participation is very dependent on the program director's
attitude. (We did a little survey last year via phone call and a couple
directors volunteered that "maybe they didn't encourage conference
participation enough" and guess what? Our conference participation rate
subsequently exploded. Same deal with our workshops--we've got one director
who thinks they're the greatest thing since sliced bread and her teachers
can't WAIT to get the catalog so they can choose their workshops. Another
director moans about how she hates to "overload" her part-time teachers with
too many offerings.) 

Anyway, I think the care, feeding andl nudging -- of administrators as well
as those in the field -- is really key!

Sharyn Yanoshak
Leadership Activities, ABE Nevada
Phone/fax: 702.253.6280