Learning Styles, Learning Disabilities, Learning Problems, Adult Basic Education, Remedial Education, Workforce Training, Adult Basic Education, Reading Problems, Remedial Programs for Adults,

The Fast Facts Independent Study Series (40 readings in all) The Fast Facts readings are a collection of short and concise articles on a variety of topics related to learning differences. Completing the readings is a good way of building the foundation of knowledge that is necessary to understand learning difficulties and disabilities. In Pennsylvania, Act 48 continuing education professional development hours can be earned by completing each series of articles and answering questions, supplied by the ABLE LD Project, about each reading. Presently there are four series of ten readings, or forty total readings, that are available. We will be adding “webinar” type video and audio conference calls to each offering, allowing participants to discuss questions and issues directly with the author of the readings and other practitioners. Series 4 moves professional development to a higher level, asking readers to answer “what would you do if...” types of application questions. You can find the Case Studies by clicking on this text or using the link at the top of the page. Eight hours of Act 48 Professional Development hours have been approved for individuals who complete Series 4. For more information on the Fast Facts or to sign up to complete one of the Fast Facts Series, e-mail Pat Capito at pcapito@stairwaysbh.orgmailto:pcapito@stairwaysbh.orgFast_Facts_Readings.htmlshapeimage_4_link_0
LD Related Web Links The Internet offers a wealth of educational resources. This section provides links to a variety of sites that we have found interesting and useful in developing a better understanding of learning differences. While many of the links are to major national sites, many are less well known but have been idtentified as offering useful information or instructional tools. Web_Links.html
What Should An Instructor Know About Teaching Adults with Learning Differences. This section identifies the skills and knowledge that are needed to be a “good teacher,” especially with students who show special learning needs. It also contains links to the Pennsylvania “Teacher Competency” project and additional resources that list the skills and abilities that a teacher should posses. If you need ideas to help you develop a personal professional development plan, this is an excellent resource to use in your self evaluation. It is useful tool to use in completing an self assessment of your abilities.LD_Knowledge.html
The ABLE LD Project: Information about the PA ABLE LD Project can be found in this section including a summary of project goals and an overview of the professional development services that are available. This section also contains information about the LD Academies and the “mentoring” that will become a major format for LD professional development.ABLE_LD_Mentoring.html
Readings, Articles and Other Material This section contains articles that did not fit anywhere else in this site. Articles_and_Readings/Articles_and_Readings.html
Teachers that have completed a Fast Facts Independent Study series say they contain relevant content, fit their needs, and are flexible and easy to complete. Click here to see their comments.About_the_Fast_Facts.html
Instructional Adaptations Get answers to the question, “So...what do I do now?”: Most instructors ask the question, “But, what can I do in my class?” This section provides practical suggestions in the format of “snippets” and “tips for teachers,” all designed to help practitioiners modify their instruction and provide creative, effective and adapted teaching. Most of the suggested activities require little in the way of special materials. Many represent instructional or management techniques that can be implemented immediately. “Good teaching” is teaching that is adapted to meet learner needs. Look in this section for ideas that you can implement immediately to help students who may be having difficulty learning. Most of the adaptations address specific areas of difficulty but require little or no special equipment.Ideas_to_use_-new.html
Downloads from Presentations: This section contains links to electronic copies of handouts that were used in site-based presentations. Using the links in this section you can download MS Word documents, PowerPoint presentations and other files.File_Downloads.html

This site is designed to be a resource for instructors, tutors and supervisors working in the field of Adult Basic Education. It is designed to help you to understand the range of difficulties that are shown by many adults who pursue GED, academic or workplace training. This site also offers practical suggestions for instructional adaptations that can be implemented in the classroom or tutoring with little or no cost.


This site also serves as the principle web site for the PA ABLE Learning Differences Grant, a State Leadership Grant funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Adult Basic and Literacy Education. Tutors, instructors and administrators who work in Pennsylvania ABLE programs can obtain Act 48 professional development hours by completing any of the four Fast Facts series of readings. The Fast Facts readings are a collection of  short and concise articles on a variety of topics related to learning differences.


The News section contains information about upcoming and recently completed professional development, as well as links to additional information related to LD professional development.


The Web Links section contains annotated summaries of sites that tutors and instructors may find of interest. Direct links to the sites are provided.


The Recommended Knowledge of LD section provides an outline of the skills and knowledge that are needed to work with students who have learning difficulty. You can use it as a tool for self-evaluation.


The File Downloads section allows you to download handouts from regional and national presentations as well readings that are prerequisites to scheduled webinars or conferences.

Link LD Professional Development with Program Improvement. Use the Knowledge of LD section or the self-evaluation PowerPoint (see below) to complete a self-evaluation of your status and use that assessment to develop an effective personal professional development plan.LD_Knowledge.html

The ABLE LD Project is funded by the PA Department of Education, Bureau of Adult Basic and Literacy Education. Fiscal Agent, Stairways Behavioral Health.

This site has been developed by with the intent of distributing information about learning differences and field testing new ideas.  Dr. Richard Gacka is the Director of the ABLE Learning Differences Grant and developer of this web site. Unless marked otherwise, permission is granted to copy and use materials for instructional purposes, with the expectation that appropriate citation of the source will be given.

  1. Home Page


  3. Fast Facts

  4. Series 1 through 3


  6. Fast Facts 4: Case Studies


  8. Instructional Ideas & Adaptations


  10. Knowledge of LD  Self-assessment


  12. The ABLE LD Project


  14. Web Links for instructors


  16. Other articles and recommended readings


  18. File Downloads


  20. News


  22. Mentoring Sites and Activities


Technology In Adult Education Blog


Special Populations Blog


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Updated 11/27/09

Professional development for instructors, tutors and administrators

COMPLETE A SELF-ASSESSMENT OF YOUR TRAINING NEEDS Want to focus your professional development on Learning Differences and Disabilities. The ABLE LD Project has developed a PowerPoint self-assessment that steps you through the areas that you might want to emphasize. You can identify areas in which you or your agency would like to participate in professional development. It can also serve as a framework for developing your Professional Development Plan which can then be integrated into your agency’s Program Improvement Plan.News.html
Fast Facts ReadingsFast_Facts_Readings.html
Web Sites of InterestWeb_Links.html
About the ABLE LD ProjectABLE_LD_Mentoring.html
Fast Facts Case StudiesFast_Facts_Case_Studies.html
NewsNews.html
Classroom AdaptationsIdeas_to_use_-new.html
Technology BlogTechnology_Blog/Technology_Blog.html