Practical strategies for creating welcoming environments, strengthening learner commitment, building meaningful connections, and helping students see the relevance of instruction to their personal, educational, and workforce goals.
About This Session
Description
Student persistence remains one of the greatest challenges for adult education, continuing education and even higher education. Surprisingly, this retention issue opens up opportunities for changing habits of mind in adult education.
This interactive session is designed for all adult education professionals and examines the latest research on student persistence, explores practical, learner-centered strategies that adult educators can use to increase engagement, motivation, retention, and achievement.
Participants will explore current research and evidence-based practices that help adult learners stay engaged, motivated, and connected to their educational journey. Participants will learn practical strategies for creating welcoming environments, strengthening learner commitment, building meaningful connections, and helping students see the relevance of instruction to their personal, educational, and workforce goals.
Through discussion, reflection, and real-world examples, educators and staff will leave with actionable tools they can implement immediately to improve student engagement, persistence, and long-term success
What we'll cover:
Ideal Audience: Adult Education Instructors, ESL Instructors, ABE/HSE Teachers, IET Staff, Transition Specialists, Program Coordinators, Student Support Staff, Intake Specialists, and Program Administrators.
Learning Outcomes:
- Identify key factors influencing adult learner persistence and departure.
- Apply research-based strategies to improve student retention.
- Strengthen first-contact and onboarding experiences.
- Increase learner motivation through relevance, connection, and goal alignment.
- Develop an action plan to foster a culture of persistence within their program.
What We Will Cover and Outcomes: Understanding Persistence
- The difference between attendance, retention, and persistence
- Why adult learners leave programs before reaching their goals
- Common barriers faced by adult learners today
The Critical First Encounter:
- Creating positive first impressions that encourage commitment
- Building trust and rapport from day one
- Strategies for effective orientation and onboarding, identifying and addressing barriers
Building Learner Motivation:
- Understanding intrinsic and extrinsic motivation
- Helping learners identify and connect with their “why”
- Goal-setting strategies that increase commitment
- Celebrating milestones and progress along the journey
- Creating a Culture of Belonging
Making Learning Relevant:
- Connecting instruction to learner goals and life experiences
- Contextualizing lessons to work, family, and community needs
- Helping learners see immediate value in classroom activities
- Incorporating real-world applications into instruction
- Identifying opportunities for improvement
- Developing an individual action plan
- Resources and tools for immediate implementation
Topics & Focus
Primary Topic Area
Session will also cover:
Assigned by TCALL
Pending
Audience
Level
Case study?
Promotion?
A note from the presenter:
No other info available at this time.
Handouts & Materials
No handouts or materials available at this time.
“Name of Session” – session presentation slides (PDF)
Name of Document – lesson sample (PDF)
Name of Document (PDF)
Name of Document – infographic (JPG)
Presenter
Irene Ramos
Vice President
TALAE
Visit TALAE in the conference Exhibitor Area!
Irene Ramos has dedicated 35 years to advancing adult education and workforce training, serving in a variety of impactful roles including instructor, coordinator, staff development trainer, Center Manager, Independent Consultant and Program Manager. With a unique blend of experience across the workforce, adult education, and civic leadership spheres, she brings a comprehensive perspective to each initiative she leads, especially in her current role as an Independent Education Consultant.
Ramos holds a bachelor’s degree from Our Lady of the Lake University and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from St. Mary’s School of Law in San Antonio. Among her accomplishments Ramos successfully designed and built the Adult Education program, Crossroads in the coastal Bend from the ground up thereby rebranding adult education in the Coastal Bend area. Ramos is currently the Vice President of TALAE, the state Adult Education organization and is participating in the COABE sponsored Adult Education Advocacy Fellowship.
A lifelong resident of Poteet, Texas, Ramos has been married to her husband, Ed, for 36 years and is the proud mother of three accomplished children. Her commitment to community, education, and family is evident in all facets of her work and life.
Breakout26 – RAMOS
Page checked or updated: 6/10/2026
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