Professional Development Center: In 1992, the Mayor's Commission on Literacy began coordinating regional staff development activities in Philadelphia through a grant from the Pennsylvania Deparment of Education, Bureau of Adult Basic and Literacy Education.

The Philadelphia Professional Development Center (PPDC) is one of seven Professional Development Centers (PDCs) in Pennsylvania that offers a comprehensive professional development program providing technical assistance and ongoing support to adult education programs. The PPDC assesses the needs of adult educators, administrators, and support staff in order to enhance adult literacy services in Philadelphia.

The activities of the Philadelphia Professional Development Center are divided into two large categories: research and training. Research activities are designed to examine the practices and larger issues in adult education, particularly those involving adult education in Philadelphia. The results of these activities are generally available for wider dissemination and are aimed at raising the level of understanding and the degree of discourse among practitioners, both those who are active participants in PPDC activities and those who are not.

Training activities are more focused on individuals. These activities aim to enhance the skills and knowledge of individuals or small groups of practitioners to the direct benefit of adult learners or of the programs in which they serve.

For more information about the PPDC, contact Jubi Williams at 215-686-5253 or email WilliamsJ@freelibrary.org.

ABLE PDC