About

The Voice of Adult Basic Education Nationwide

COABE

Comprised of practitioners and administrators,
COABE is 10,000 members strong and growing.

About Us Links

• COABE Leadership Roster

• COABE Regional Map

COABE Publications

• COABE Membership Brochure

• Currents Winter 2011

• Currents Spring 2010

COABE Board

Executive Committed/Voting Members of the Board

• President—Dr. Renae Harrison (2011–2013)
• President Elect and Public Policy Chair—Ms. Jackie Taylor (2011–2013)
• Past President and Nominations/Elections Chair—Mr. Andy Tyskiewicz (2011–2013)
• Vice President and Membership Chair—Mr. Jeff Fantine (2010—2013)
• Secretary and Chief Financial Officer—Mr. Charles Ludwig (2011–2013)

Regional Representatives/Voting Members of the Board

• Region 1—Mr. Tom Nash (2011–2013)
• Region 2—Dr. Jim Berger (2010–2013)
• Region 3—Dr. Dahlia Allen (2011–2013)
• Region 4—Ms. Marilyn Schmidt (2010–2013)
• Region 5—Mr. Hector Martinez (2011–2013)
• Region 6—Ms. Dean Randsell (2010–2013)
• Region 7—Ms. Debbie Phillips (2009–2012)
• Region 8—Ms. Polly Smith (2009–2012)

Nonvoting Positions

• Special Projects/Strategic Planning—Mr. David Alexander
• Awards Program—Dom Gagliardi
• Professional Development—Mr. Bob
Weng
• Journal Editor—Dr. Jim Berger
• Historian—Dr. Al Campell
• NCSDAE Liaison to COABE—Ms. Karen Liersch

Contact COABE

Address info:
PO Box 620
Syracuse, NY 13206

Sharon Bonney, Manager
E-mail: info@coabe.org
Website: www.coabe.org
Phone: 888-44-COABE
Fax: (866) 941-5129

Commission on Adult Basic Education

The Commission on Adult Education is organized to advance national and international adult education and literacy opportunities for all persons. The purposes of COABE are:

To promote adult education and literacy programs, including Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, English for Speakers of Other Languages, Family Literacy, Skills Development, Workforce Development, and other state, federal, and private programs which assist undereducated and/or disadvantaged adults to function effectively.
To provide leadership in advancing the education of adults in the lifelong learning process by unifying the profession, developing human resources, encouraging and using research, communicating with the members and the public, offering other member services, and otherwise advancing adult education, and literacy.
To advocate the development and dissemination of publications, research, methods, and materials, resources, and programs in adult education and literacy.
To conduct and/or sponsor professional development conferences and activities that provide a forum to provide staff development and advance adult education and literacy

Our Mission

To provide leadership, communication, professional development and advocacy for adult education and literacy practitioners in order to advance quality services for all adult learners.

COABE Board

The COABE Board consists of volunteers who are either elected to officer positions or appointed to various committees. The organization is widely represented by individuals from around the country. If you would like to see how the nation is divided by region, and to determine which region you belong to, download the COABE regional map (PDF).

Region 1 Mr. Tom Nash (2011–2013) Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont	Region 2 Dr. Jim Berger (2010–2013) District of Columbia, Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia	Region 3 Dr. Dahlia Allen (2011–2013) Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, plus Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands	Region 4 Ms. Marilyn Schmidt (2010–2013) Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin
Region 5 Mr. Hector Martinez (2011–2013) Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota	Region 6 Ms. Dean Randsell (2010–2013) Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas	Region 7 Ms. Debbie Phillips (2009–2012) Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming	Region 8 Ms. Polly Smith (2009–2012) Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington