Mission—To provide advocacy, leadership, and professional development for the field of adult education in Alaska.

Our Purpose

  • To assist in the development of an effective education program for adults in Alaska.
  • To promote the professional development and training of practitioners in the field of adult education.
  • To encourage further cooperation between practitioners, administration, government officials and citizens of Alaska in the delivery of adult education services.
  • To foster recognition of adult education as an integral part of public education.

History

The Alaska Adult Education Association was founded in 1977. The main impetus for the present organization came from a group of Adult Basic Educators who felt the need for better coordination, communication, and support for the ABE services in the state.

During the first four years of existence, Nine Star Enterprises' (formerly the Northern Institute) Adult Education Staff Development Project provided financial and logistical support for AAEA. AAEA has been an affiliate of the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE) and of the Northwest Adult Education Association (NWAEA). Currently it is linked with Commission on Adult Basic Education (COABE).

The first AAEA statewide conference was held in 1978. Currently AAEA sponsors an awards luncheon and annual membership meeting during the ABE fall conference.

AAEA also publishes a quarterly newsletter, FOCUS, with contributions solicited from all aspects of adult education. The newsletter is sent to our legislators, programs, and other supporters.

The Association is open to all adult educators in the areas of adult, continuing, literacy, agricultural, military, religious, higher, vocational, community, and extension education. Membership has grown steadily since 1977, and we look forward to a thriving, active association that will meet the needs of concerned adult educators in the State of Alaska.

The Board of Directors consists of nine members, each elected for a three-year term, voted for prior to each annual membership meeting (held in conjunction with the ABE Fall Conference). The entire AAEA association membership votes on the Directors.

Join us!