303 Homestead Avenue, Holyoke MA 01040
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Established in 1990 by the Massachusetts Department of Education, SABES, the System for Adult Basic Education Support, is a comprehensive training and technical assistance initiative for educators and programs. To briefly sketch the background scene, presently one out of three Massachusetts adults--more than one-and-a-half million people representing many diverse groups--are in need of literacy services. These adults are served by a broad spectrum of programs, each with its own philosophy, program design and methodology. SABES came into being chiefly to help Adult Basic Education (ABE) practitioners further develop the skills, talents and knowledge needed to provide exemplary educational services to adult learners.

Our Mission

SABES promotes high quality, adult basic education services
through training, support and resources that improve the skills and knowledge of practitioners and strengthen programs.

SABES (From the Spanish verb "saber"): To know, to be aware of, to learn, to hear about, to be able to, to know how to.

SABES, the Massachusetts System for Adult Basic Education Support, is a comprehensive training and technical assistance initiative for educators and programs. SABES is about developing the skills, talents, and knowledge of Adult Basic Education practitioners so that they may provide exemplary service to adult learners.

Our vision is for Massachusetts to have an integrated Adult Basic Education (ABE) system which assists learners in ABE and English for speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) to reach their full potential and goals as individuals, parents, community members, and workers.

We contribute to this vision by promoting effective instruction and enhanced learning program quality.

The western regional office of SABES is located at Holyoke Community College, and is part of the Division of Continuing Education. Since it's inception in 1990 SABES West has focused on developing the skills, knowledge and talents of Adult Basic Education practitioners so that they may provide exemplary service to adult learners. At any given time a variety of activities are being sponsored by this office.

Our Web Site: sabeswest.org

We developed our website as a way to meet the needs of more ABE practitioners in the region.

In the future, we plan to offer professional development courses online, using the best in distance learning technology. We also encourage practitioners to visit the Literacy Tent - a hosting service and website devoted to gathering and disseminating information about ABE programs in our region and beyond.

SABES services are delivered through five Regional Support Centers (RSCs) located at community colleges across the state. At each RSC, a Regional Coordinator helps programs determine their needs and then develops a variety of training opportunities to meet those needs. At any given time, a range of activities may be occurring in the regions, including: consultation, workshops, mini-courses, institutes, study circles, mentoring, peer coaching, teacher research projects and other training activities. (See our calendar for current listings.)

In collaboration with the five RSCs, a SABES Central Resource Center in downtown Boston coordinates the development of statewide activities.

SABES Boston
Adult Literacy Resource Institute (ALRI)
Tel. 617-782-8956

SABES Central
Quinsigamond Community College
Tel. 508-854-4286

SABES Northeast
Northern Essex Community College
Tel. 978-738-7301

SABES Southeast
Bristol Community College
Tel. 508-678-2811, x2320

SABES Central Resource Center
World Education
Tel. 617-482-9485

Each RSC also has a resource collection consisting of both commercially-published materials and locally-produced items, such as curricula, training outlines and learner-generated materials. The Central Resource Center serves a coordinating function for these collections, providing cataloging, bibliographies, book reviews, information searches and document delivery services to augment the training activities.

SABES regional centers are located in five Community Colleges throughout the state, and at the ALRI in Boston. Each center serves a distinct regional area. However, all Massachusetts ABE practitioners are welcome at any SABES regional center, and are eligible to attend workshops and other events at any regional center.

For an up to date listing of all the SABES staff and their roles, check out the complete SABES Staff Directory on the main SABES website.